Residents can give input on the new DeKalb transit plan until Tuesday. It includes more frequent service overall, a line going to Cortland and more trips to the Elburn Metra train station throughout the week.
DeKalb Public Works director Tim Holdeman says the new plan suggests merging the Northern Illinois University bus line and the TransVAC lines, which currently serve Kishwaukee College students, DeKalb and Sycamore.
“There’s an inefficiency in having two bus systems serve generally the same population,” Holdeman said.
Holdeman says it would take three years to merge the two lines; other changes would take five years to go into effect. He says it would save NIU money on transit costs, since the new plan would be eligible for more state and federal funds.
Holdeman says there isn’t a lot of opposition in the community for this new plan. “When you’re increasing service for lower cost, that’s a hard one to be against,” he said with a chuckle.
Holdeman says it could also mean lower general fees for NIU students, since that’s mainly how the current NIU line is funded. He says those details have yet to be determined.