News | MTD

Summer Service Reductions

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

MTD summer service reductions begin Saturday, May 11. These reductions remain in effect until classes resume for the Fall Semester. Good luck to students finishing finals, congratulations to area graduates, and here's to a wonderful summer!

2 Red Express: Trips designated with "L" and "U" footnotes will not operate during the summer.

5/50 GREENhopper: Regular GREENhopper service operates through Friday, May 10. The GREENhopper will not operate during the summer.

12/120 Teal: The Teal is reduced to 20-minute service and the Teal Limited operates during the weekday daytime.

13/130 Silver: The Silver is reduced to 20-minute service and "U" trips do not operate during the weekday daytime. The Silver Limited operates in the evenings and on the weekends.

22/220 Illini: The Illini Limited operates during all daytypes and runs with 30-minute frequency.

27/270 Air Bus: Operation continues on the Air Bus throughout the summer.

335 SafeRides: Regular SafeRides service will operate through Friday, May 10 and ends for the summer at 6:30 am on Saturday, May 11.

Late Night Service (after midnight): Regular late night service operates through Friday, May 10 and ends for the summer at 6:30 am on Saturday, May 11.

Holidays of no MTD service are Memorial Day on Monday, May 27 and Independence Day on Thursday, July 4.

Thank you for riding MTD!

No Service Memorial Day

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

There will be no MTD service Monday, May 27, 2013 in observance of Memorial Day. Normal MTD summer service will resume Tuesday, May 28.

MTD Public Hearing for Fall 2013

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

MTD will hold a Public Hearing to discuss the Fall 2013 fare proposal and proposed route improvements. The Public Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 23 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. The hearing will be held at Illinois Terminal, 45 East University in Champaign, in CityView (4th floor) in Room 401 on the north side. MTD staff will be present to explain the proposals and to answer any questions. A formal presentation will not be made. Interested parties are encouraged to attend!

We Want to Hear From You!

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

We want to hear from you! Champaign-Urbana MTD is interested in your opinion as we chart the course for mobility in our community. Please click here to give your input and be a part of our strategic planning process. It should take no more than five minutes. Thank you!

MTD ART

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A new set of four beautiful images as part of the MTD ART program is on display on MTD buses. This quarter's works feature Jessie Schuenemann's Morning Meeting, Jess Beyler's Celestial Mechanics, Kehinde Abioye's Hope, and Thomas Stone's Countryside Driving. A new set will be posted August 1, 2013.

40 North has issued the call for entries to be part of this terrific program. Visit the 40 North website for detailed information about submission timeline and requirements. Kelly White, Executive Director, Amanda Baker, Program and Events Coordinator, as well as members of the 40 North Public Image committee have generously provided guidance and support of the MTD ART program. We encourage anyone interested in sharing their work to submit it for consideration. New sets are posted each quarter: August 1-October 31, November 1-January 31, February 1-April 30, and May 1-July 31.

MTD thanks Dixon Graphics for their support of the MTD ART program and reproduction of the images for the installation.

MTD's Newest Hybrids Hit the Street!

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

MTD's newest members of the hybrid diesel-electric bus fleet are being phased into service. These New Flyer Xcelsior XDE40 buses represent the most up-to-date hybrid technology available. Ten of these vehicles were purchased and will be phased into service.

The 2013 buses "kneel" lower than any other in MTD's fleet making it easier for anyone who has difficulty stepping up to enter the bus. This also means that the ramp deploys at a less severe angle making it easier for those who use mobility assistance devices to enter the vehicle. There is a terrific safety enhancement in the form of lights just behind the front wheels that illuminate the area of a turn when the turn signal is activated.

The buses are similar to the 2011 New Flyer NFR diesel-electric hybrids. There are a few differences, however. There are no seams between the window frames and the bus which makes a smooth transition between bus exterior and window. The emergency hatches in the roof are mini-skylights allowing natural light to enter the coach. There is a rear window on the vehicles. The 2013 buses are less heavy than the 2011 hybrids which will improve fuel efficiency.

With the addition of these ten buses, MTD's fleet is more than 50% hybrid diesel-electric. MTD is excited to put these state-of-the-art vehicles into service!

MTD's BEE SCENE Awareness Campaign

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Champaign-Urbana's microurban environment creates special challenges for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Being aware of your surroundings and others buzzing about is critically important to making sure that everyone gets where they need to go, safely. To that end, MTD's BEE SCENE campaign offers reminders to "Be Alert, Be Aware, and Be Seen" at all times. Bee Scene messages appear on the inside and outside of MTD buses, on information kiosks, in various media outlets, and via MTD's social media outlets of Twitter, Facebook, and The Inside Lane blog. We can never be reminded too often to be attentive to our surroundings. You're precious cargo and we want you to be safe!

MTD Service to Stephens Family YMCA

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

MTD began service to the Stephens Family YMCA of Champaign County at 2501 Fields South Drive in Champaign on Monday, January 14, 2013. Persons traveling to the YMCA have two weekday options: the 334 West Direct or the 14 Navy. There will be no weekend service at this time.

The 334 West Direct is a demand-response service that operates from 6:40 am until 6:30 pm Monday through Friday. Customers can telephone 217.255.8888 to arrange a pickup within the boundaries of the 334 West Direct. A map showing the boundaries of the service is available here; the YMCA is within the boundaries of the 334 West Direct. The 334 West Direct serves Country Fair at scheduled times throughout the day, so riders can transfer to the 334 West Direct from one of several routes serving Country Fair without making prior arrangements. The times that the 334 West Direct serves Country Fair are: 6:57 am, 7:24 am, 7:50 am, 8:20 am, every thirty minutes from 8:45 am until 4:00 pm, 4:32 pm, 5:02 pm, 5:36 pm, and 6:10 pm.

The 14 Navy also serves the YMCA with three trips in the afternoon between 4:40 pm and 6:40 pm. Passengers departing the YMCA in the afternoon may ride the 14 Navy as the bus returns eastbound via Kirby to Staley to Springfield to Country Fair for connections to fixed routes to Springfield to Mattis to University near Illinois Terminal for connections to fixed routes to Wright.

On Unit 4 school days only, passengers on the afternoon 5W Green #2 Copper Ridge bus serving Edison, Franklin, and Jefferson middle schools may request that the bus divert to drop them off at the YMCA for after school programs.

2013 MTD Board Meeting Schedule

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Following is a schedule for the MTD Board of Trustees meetings in 2013:

January 30
February 27
March 27
May 1
May 29
June 26
July 31
August 28
September 25
October 30
November TBD
December TBD

Meetings are held at 3:00 pm at CityView (fourth floor) at Illinois Terminal. Dates are subject to change. Please continue to check the website for changes or additions.

Parkland College Stop

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

MTD's stop at Parkland College is now located just west of the receiving dock by Building D. This is a long-term relocation expected to last approximately two years while the new Student Services Center is under construction. A map showing the stop is available on Parkland's website.

MTD Apps

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Winners of the February 2012 App Challenge were RideCU, an Android app created by Thomas McGinnis, and Catch MTD, a Windows Phone 7 app created by David Grochocki. CU Transit, an iOS app by Sukolsak Sakshuwong, and CU Buses, an iOS app by Benjamin Esham, tied as third place winners. More than twenty applications were submitted for the contest and most are available in the MTD App Garage and through the various app markets. Browse through the Garage and find the app that works best for you. Ready availability of this information when you're on the go will make it easier for you to plan and manage your travels.

MTD Wants Your Feedback!

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

We LOVE to hear from our passengers with comments and suggestions about MTD service. If you have something you would like to share, please don't hesitate to contact MTD. Follow and chat with us on Twitter and Facebook, or fill out a feedback form. We read everything and disseminate these comments widely within MTD. Our customers are important to us and we want to meet your needs.

2012-2013 Calendar

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

November 17-25, 2012 - UI Thanksgiving Holiday (reduced MTD service)
November 22, 2012 - Thanksgiving Holiday (no MTD service)
December 14-20, 2012 - UI Final Exams
December 21, 2012-January 13, 2013 - UI Winter Break (reduced MTD service)
December 24, 2012 - Christmas Eve Holiday (no MTD evening service)
December 25, 2012 - Christmas Holiday (no MTD service)
December 31, 2012 - New Year's Eve Holiday (no MTD evening service)
January 1, 2013 - New Year's Day Holiday (no MTD service)
January 14, 2013 - UI Spring Semester Begins
March 16-24, 2013 - UI Spring Vacation (reduced MTD service)
March 31, 2013 - Easter Holiday (no MTD service)
May 3-10, 2013 - UI Final Exams
May 12, 2013 - UI Commencement
May 13-August 23, 2013 - UI Summer Sessions I & II (reduced MTD service)
May 27, 2013 - Memorial Day Holiday (no MTD service)
July 4, 2013 - Independence Day Holiday (no MTD service)
August 26, 2013 - UI Fall Semester Begins
September 2, 2013 - Labory Day (no MTD service)

MTD Achieves Record Ridership for FY2012

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

At the end of the June 25, 2012 service day, MTD reached its goal of 11 million rides five days before the end of the District’s fiscal year. MTD is tremendously proud of reaching this new record of over 11 million rides. The District is honored to serve the cities of Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy as well as the University of Illinois. MTD is a part of a national trend of growing ridership on transit. In the first quarter of 2012, public transportation ridership across the country increased by 5 percent. Nationwide, all three quarters in 2011 showed increases in transit use. Ridership increases are attributed to many factors including rising gas prices and improved passenger amenities like real-time information. But with growth like this, it is evident that riding transit is not just a trend. Transit agencies are gaining riders and retaining them. MTD thanks the community for their continued support of public transportation.

Welcome! Learn to Ride: College Edition

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Welcome to Champaign-Urbana and welcome aboard MTD! If you're new to riding the bus, take a moment to watching this "Learn to Ride: College Edition" video. The video covers all the basics of how to ride MTD.

Open Application Programming Interface (API)

Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Developers are welcome to use MTD's open API (Application Programming Interface)! If you’re not familiar with that phrase, it is a way for software developers to incorporate CUMTD’s route, schedule, and real-time departure information into their applications, websites, and mashups. With the open API, developers can confidently create applications with scheduled and real-time departure data. Interfaces filled with STOPwatch data and route information make riding public transit easy and personal.

Other than our web applications and widget, CUMTD does not currently provide any other native applications of its own. All applications, free and otherwise, are not affiliated with CUMTD.

Party on developers!

MTD ENewsletter & Blog

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Interested in all things MTD? Read MTD's ENewsletter, STOPtalk, which shares information about cool happenings at the District. Sign up to receive this publication available bi-monthly. Check out MTD's blog, The Inside Lane, for interesting stories about the inner workings at the MTD.

Annual Pass & Gift Certificates Available

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Looking for a great gift for yourself or a friend? Purchase an Annual Pass for yourself or give a friend the gift of mobility by purchasing a gift certificate. Annual Passes and gift certificates are available for $60 at the Customer Service desk at Illinois Terminal at 45 East University in Champaign. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm and Sunday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. Each pass is valid for one year of unlimited travel on any MTD bus route.

All Holidays with No MTD Service

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MTD service does not operate on the following holidays:

Memorial Day (May 28, 2012)
Independence Day (July 4)
Thanksgiving (November 22, 2012)
Christmas Eve Evening (no Evening or Late Night Service) (December 24)
Christmas Day (December 25)
New Year's Eve (no Evening or Late Night Service) (December 31)
New Year's Day (January 1)
Easter (March 31, 2013)

Designated Stops and iStops on and near UI Campus

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A large number of "Designated Stops" exist for routes operating on and near the University of Illinois campus. Be sure to check the map for the route you ride -- designated stops are indicated on the map with a star inside a pink circle. There is a bus stop sign or a shelter at each Designated Stop location with information about the routes serving the stop.

Some Designated Stops are also iStops where no identification (or fare) is required. Not all Designated Stops are iStops, however, so please be prepared to show a UI Identification card or pay a fare.

iStops

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

iStops are stops on the University of Illinois campus where it is unnecessary to show identification or pay a fare to ride the Gold, Illini, Silver, Teal, and Yellow routes. iStop locations are indicated on these routes' maps with an iStop symbol (an orange octagon with a white "i" inside). iStops are also identified as such on signage at the stop location.

Upgrade Your Widget Today

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Download a new, upgraded Widget today by clicking here. It's quick and easy, and you'll love the new service. Take advantage of this simple way to get STOPwatch real-time information for your stop with the click of a button. The previous version of the widget will no longer work after August 18. Click here for more information about the Widget.

MTD Annual Pass $60

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The price of an Annual Pass is only $60. The one-way cash fare is $1.00 with one free transfer available, the price of student tokens is six tokens for $3.00 (or 50 cents each), the Saturday or Sunday all-day pass is $2.00, the DASH Pass for seniors 65 years or older and persons with disabilities which is free. Children 46 inches in height or less ride free with a fare-paying adult.

Annual passes and DASH passes may be obtained at Illinois Terminal’s Customer Service Center. School tokens may also be purchased at Illinois Terminal or from any MTD operator prior to 7:00 pm. School tokens may only be used by youths in high school or younger; proof of eligibility may be required. Illinois Terminal’s hours of operation are 8:00 am until 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 am until 5:00 pm on Sunday. Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in downtown Champaign.

The MTD offers the extremely-discounted annual pass to make access and mobility options more affordable for all members of the community in this time of economic challenge. With the low cost of an annual pass, the MTD’s service is within the means of most people.

MTD One of "10 Great Transit Systems to Work For"

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is happy to announce that it has been selected as one of “10 Great Transit Systems to Work For” by Metro Magazine and TransitTalent.com.

The publications sought to recognize 10 transit systems as great places to work. To that end, invitations were sent to executives at more than 200 transit systems in the U.S. and Canada, resulting in 37 entries. The MTD submitted a 750-word application, and more than 50 employees were surveyed by the magazine, and was chosen as one of 10 transit agencies selected as "Great Transit Systems to Work For."

High per capita ridership and exceptional customer satisfaction (95% satisfied or very satisfied in a 2008 random phone survey) are due in no small part to the outstanding employees who work for the MTD. The MTD’s ability to attract and retain its excellent workforce is largely because it is one of the best transit systems in the country, and an excellent regional employer.

The MTD’s stable leadership has created an open and familial environment for employees with Directors and Managers very accessible to employees. In addition to being readily available when concerns arise, every three months Managing Director Bill Volk spends an entire day meeting with employees to discuss whatever is on their minds. The MTD’s Core Values of committing to ‘yes’; providing outstanding customer and public service; developing long-term, positive relationships; and embracing opportunity and innovation are acknowledged and valued at all levels of the company.

Critically important components of managerial/employee relationships are the eight committees structured for guidance and input on key policy, communication, and social activities. The committees’ responsibilities span various organizational components; each is chaired by an administrative staff member and staffed by operational and maintenance personnel. Committee members review policies and procedures, coordinate on activities and communications, and develop and lead social activities. Committees have significant input on the direction in which the MTD is headed, and ensure that employee attitudes and opinions are known and respected.

Those chosen along with the MTD were Alexandria Transit Co. (DASH), Alexandria, VA; Capital Area Transit Authority, Lansing, MI; Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, Dayton, OH; Greater Hartford Transit District, Hartford, CT; GRTC Transit System, Richmond, VA; Orange County Transportation Authority, Orange, CA; Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV; Riverside Transit Agency, Riverside, CA; and SunLine Transit Agency, Thousand Palms, CA.

The MTD has long realized that its greatest assets are the employees who choose to work for the District, and is proud to have been chosen as one of the “10 Greatest” systems to work for.

To read the entire article, please click here. The article is also available in Metro Magazine’s September/October 2008 issue.

Knock, Knock...

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Kidding!

Just trying to trick you into reading about SAFETY.

We know , we know, we know. You know! But you can never be reminded too often to practice safe behaviors. Here are a few reminders:

Watch for vehicles when you're walking.

It's a well-known fact that busy streets self-police. Use that to your advantage.

Turn down your iPod while walking to class; make sure you can hear sirens or cars honking.

Look before you cross the street. Only cross at crosswalks.

Carry a cell phone and call someone if you need help.

Find out where the emergency phones are on campus, and use them!

Use the buddy system. There really is "safety in numbers."

If you feel unsafe, hail a bus. Tell the driver you are feeling uncomfortable, and they will help you get help.

Park in a well-lit, heavily populated area. Consider what the area will look like after dark.

Bicyclists should be aware of pedestrians and automobiles while cycling.

Public Transportation Reduces Greenhouse Gases and Conserves Energy

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The American Public Transportation Association has announced results of a study titled “Broadening the Connection between Public Transportation and Energy Conservation.” The study found that the most energy efficient households in America producing the least amount of carbon are located within close proximity of a bus or rail line. The people in those households drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles annually as compared to persons in similar households with no access to public transportation. Public transportation users in the U.S. save the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually—more than 11 million gallons of gasoline per day.

While many of the results are applicable at the national level and especially in large cities, even in small communities like ours the use of public transportation is something that an individual can do TODAY to reduce their carbon footprint, and to help alleviate congestion. The study reports that people living in households near public transportation travel 12 fewer miles per day which is 27% less than persons in households with no access to public transit. This equates to an individual household reduction of 223 gallons of gasoline a year. By eliminating one car and taking public transportation instead of driving, a savings of up to 30% of carbon dioxide emissions can be realized.

For complete study results and more information, visit the APTA website.

Public Transportation Saves $6,200 Per Household

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has completed a study indicating that households can save up to $6,200/year by using public transportation. Link here.