River Valley Metro plans new maintenance shop
                         Danville Mass Transit to replacement buses

Danville Mass Transit has been awarded a little more than $2 million to replace portions of its bus fleet and make other upgrades to its facilities. The money comes from a $112 million funding grant for transit providers across the state as part of the Rebuild Illinois campaign.

The funding for Danville will be used to replace four 35-foot, low-floor buses that have exceeded their useful lives. Another portion of the money would be used to replace underground diesel fuel and waste storage tanks at its headquarters. A portion of the funding will go toward the purchase of land for an upgrade and addition to the DMT’s administrative and maintenance facilities.

In Kankakee County – River Valley Metro has plans for a new maintenance shop. RVM Managing Director Siron Sims said the maintenance facility has been needed for a long time. The current building, he said, was built when RVM served less than half of the customers they currently serve. Now, with more routes, more riders and more buses, the existing building is way under-sized. Sims says thank you to local officials, legislators and IDOT for making this possible.

Acting IDOT Secretary Omer Osman said “transit in downstate communities is so important, a lifeline for getting to work, school, a doctor’s appointment or even a trip to the grocery store. This funding, Osman said, is a needed resource to improve service in communities.

94.1 WGFA