I'm out late quite often, does MTD provide any sort of service for night owls?
Following our evening service, MTD offers five late night fixed-routes, operating after midnight during Illinois' Fall and Spring Semesters. The routes are the 50 Green, 100 Yellow, 120 Teal, 130 Silver, and 220 Illini.
I keep reading the phrase fixed-route service. What's that mean?
Fixed-route service is what most people just call, "bus service." The MTD buses and vans (such as on the 11/110 Ruby) that you see driving defined routes every day, all over our community are what we refer to as fixed-route service.
What's a Hopper service and why would I need it?
Hoppers operate on the most in-demand segment of their parent routes. By only operating along a core portion of a route, passengers experience increased frequency (Hopper frequency is often double that of its parent route) and this allows for easier connections and reduced wait times. Please note that if your destination falls beyond the endpoint of a Hopper route, you will need to board the regular parent route.
What is C-CARTS? I see their vans occasionally in Rantoul, too.
C-CARTS is a van service that operates throughout Champaign County and does not duplicate MTD's service area. It provides a connection from outlying areas to MTD's fixed route bus service. Additionally, C-CARTS provides two fixed routes: the Eagle Express operates within Rantoul only and the Rantoul Connector brings passengers directly to/from Rantoul into Champaign-Urbana. Find out more at c-carts.com.
I'm going to be out late tonight and am worried about my safety. Can MTD help?
Yes! MTD can help. MTD operates SafeRides during Illinois' Fall and Spring Semesters and on a reduced basis during Fall, Winter, and Spring Breaks. SafeRides does not operate during Illinois' Summer Break. The purpose of SafeRides is to provide safe transportation to individuals who are generally traveling alone when no other means of safe transportation are available within the designated 335 SafeRides boundaries. There is a maximum limit of three (3) persons per pick-up location. With the launch of MTD Connect, a pilot of a new on-demand app targeting MTD’s SafeRides service on the University of Illinois campus during Spring Break, designated pickups at the Illini Union, Armory & Wright (Main Library), and Illinois Street Residence Hall (ISR) will no longer be available. Users can download the MTD Connect app for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 335 SafeRides does not duplicate fixed-route bus service already provided by MTD. All rides with MTD are considered safe rides. SafeRides does not provide emergency transportation services to medical facilities. (Please call 9-1-1 for medical assistance.) 335 SafeRides does not provide service to and from any bars. Users can request a SafeRide through the new app or by phone by calling 217.265.RIDE (7433).
In addition to SafeRides, SafeWalks is another option if you're out late at night in Campustown. Managed by the University of Illinois Police Department and operated by Illinois students, the UI Police Student Patrol will meet faculty, staff, and students and walk with them to their home, a nearby bus stop, etc. The Student Patrollers receive training and have radio communication with police officers. You can contact SafeWalks at 217.333.1216.
Can you tell me about your ADA services?
MTD's ADA Paratransit Service is a curb-to-curb transportation service available to persons with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route bus services. ADA Paratransit service is by reservation only, and all reservations must be made at least one day prior to service. All eligible riders must submit an application and be registered prior to using the service. Please contact ADA Customer Service for application information: Call 384.8188 and ask for ADA Services. More information on Reasonable Modifications can be found here.