Our Projects
Better Bus Stops
Bus stops are a complicated thing! The bus stop sign is owned by SMTD. The land is owned by the city, township, county, or private landowners. The benches are (usually) owned by Ace Sign Company. Most of the shelters are owned by SMTD. There are many different groups involved with the various aspects of bus stops throughout the community. Beginning in late spring 2025, we will be working with everyone involved to improve bus stops throughout the Springfield area. Check back often to see our updates. Does your bus stop need improvements? We want to know!
Complete Streets: active transportation
Riding the bus is only one part of a person’s trip. Once you arrive at your bus stop, you usually need to walk safely to your destination. There are many places in Springfield where walking is dangerous due to missing sidewalks and a lack of pedestrian routes through parking lots. New accessibility guidelines require an accessible route from public sidewalks to the main entrances of buildings and between multiple buildings in the same development. We regularly review planning documents and provide comments supporting the inclusion (and expansion) of pedestrian infrastructure. Working with partners throughout the community, we seek to promote a walkable, healthy, sustainable Springfield.
Map of the 2007 SMTD Proposed Night Service Network with colored routes and major trip generators marked by stars.
transit Service Expansion
We trace our roots to organizing for night bus service in the mid-2000s. We continue to advocate for expanded service, including Saturday nights and Sundays. Many job opportunities are out of reach due to the lack of transit service for the full weekend. The lack of accessible weekend transit service, including paratransit, also means that many residents with disabilities are not afforded the opportunity to fully participate in the community. Springfield is the last Illinois community of at least 50,000 residents to not have Sunday transit service. The first step to expansion of service is a feasibility study, as was done before night bus service began in 2007. The last comprehensive operational analysis of SMTD was performed over a decade ago. Connect Transit, in Bloomington-Normal, was able to provide Sunday service when they reviewed their weekday service and found efficiencies. A transit plan, like that in Bloomington-Normal, could find ways to provide more weekend service in Springfield.