SMTD receives five new buses to accommodate growing number of riders

STATELINE – Stateline Mass Transit District (SMTD) took delivery of five new medium duty, handicapped accessible buses last Thursday morning, April 21.

The buses are made possible under a State of Illinois 2014 Capital Vehicle Procurement grant for expansion of service.

The buses will be temporarily stored at the Beloit Transit System (BTS) facilities in Beloit, Wis., until they are ready to begin service under IGA between SMTD and Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD).

The buses come at a time when SMTD service is showing continued growth—up approximately 400 riders per month from this time last year to 1,265 riders per month—with possible expansion into Roscoe Township in the near future.

“We at SMTD are pleased to be a part of the cooperative effort of those in the transit industry to provide needed transportation services to all areas and peoples, including RMTD, the State of Illinois, and our local municipal supporters, SLATS/MPO, BTS, legislators, and our ever growing ridership–without which our success would not be possible.”