Fixed-route bus service finally arrives in Belvidere

BELVIDERE – The Rockford Mass Transit District launched its fixed-route bus service for the Belvidere area Monday morning, with a gathering of officials at the Keen-Age Center.

Buses began making runs that day and from now on will operate from 7:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. Monday through Friday of each week.

Here are the stops, in order: Keen-Age Center on Henry Lucklow Lane on the west side of Belvidere; city hall on Meadow Street downtown; Swedish American Medical Center and then Kmart, which is the end of the line. The return trip stops at the medical center, city hall and the Keen-Age Center, before getting back to the transfer station.

There will be 10 round trips each day. The first bus will leave the transfer station at 7:20 a.m. with the last one departing at 4:20 p.m. The idea is to have each round trip accomplished in one hour.

Fares are $1.50 for those 12 years of age and older. The cost is 75 cents for students up to 20 years of age and children 5 through 11 years of age. Kids under age are free when accompanied by an adult; senior citizens also are free.

Other possibilities are an adult 10-ride ticket for $15; student and disabled 10-ride ticket, $7.50; seven-day unlimited pass, $16; 30-day unlimited ride pass, $55. Transfers are free, but passes are not. …..

The service is being funded through a federal Job Access Reverse Commute Grant, which provides up to 50 percent of the cost. Once the seed money is gone, which usually happens in 12 months, it will be up to the district and Boone County to determine how they will fund the portion of the cost not covered by the grant.

The remaining portion of the cost is being funded through the Illinois Downstate Operating Grant.

Click on the following to read the complete story: http://www.belvideredailyrepublican.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7085:fixed-route-bus-service-finally-arrives-in-belvidere&catid=106:belvidere&Itemid=508

The following route map was published in the October 28, 2011 Boone County Journal.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge.

Boone County budget to be presented for public opinion

 

"This is a major success story – it may not be perfect, but it is good…” Chairman Walberg

Board Member Pat Mattison remarked that the draft budget includes an increase in the General Fund from an estimated fiscal year 2010 amount of about $12.9 million, to a fiscal year 2011 budget amount of $13.3 million, and said this amounts to a 3 percent spending increase, not a cut.

Later, toward the end of the meeting, Johnson asked for a few minutes to make a comment to the board. In his remarks, Johnson acknowledged that the board is a body with "differing opinions," and that it is a good thing. However, Johnson went on to say that when certain members "take shots" at other board members "under the guise of keeping residents informed, I personally take offense."

Click on the following for more details:  County budget to be presented for public opinion

To see the proposed budget go to:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/FY11Budget.pdf