COVID-19 Resource Center
The COVID-19/coronavirus disease outbreak continues to impact the daily lives of people around the world, and the transit industry is no different. The management and staff of the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (GPMTD)/CityLink have had to make some difficult decision over the past few weeks, but please rest assured that the health and safety of our passengers and employees is of the upmost importance to us. Please use this page as a resource for the latest news and updates from CityLink regarding COVID-19/coronavirus.
We encourage you to stay informed on the latest updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and to visit the COVID-19 Resource page on their website. Also, please stay informed on the latest updates and information shared by the Peoria City/County Health Department. We highly recommend watching any press conferences they stream live on their Facebook page. Another great resource is the FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control webpage.
Latest news from GPMTD/CityLink:
4/19/22
- Passengers of CityLink fixed route service, CityLift paratransit service, and CountyLink rural transportation service are no longer required to wear masks while riding any of those services or while inside the Transit Center facility. However, operators and passengers that prefer to continue to wear masks for their safety are welcome to do so.
- Effective immediately, the TSA will no longer enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs. TSA will also rescind the new Security Directives that were scheduled to take effect 4/19/22. The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.
4/13/22
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through May 3, 2022.
- Failure to comply may result in denial of boarding and removal from GPMTD vehicles or property or penalties under federal law.
3/10/22
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through April 18, 2022.
- Failure to comply may result in denial of boarding and removal from GPMTD vehicles or property or penalties under federal law.
2/28/22
- The State of Illinois indoor mask mandate is lifted effective on February 28, 2022. However, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues its face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through March 18, 2022.
- Failure to comply may result in denial of boarding and removal from GPMTD vehicles or property or penalties under federal law.
12/20/21
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through March 18, 2022.
- Failure to comply may result in denial of boarding and removal from GPMTD vehicles or property or penalties under federal law.
8/18/21
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through January 18, 2022.
- Failure to comply may result in denial of boarding and removal from GPMTD vehicles or property or penalties under federal law.
6/11/21
- Passengers and bus operators are no longer be required to wear a mask while on the platform at the Transit Center. Everyone is still required to wear a mask while in a bus or inside the lobby of the Transit Center. Below are the excerpts from the latest rule change.
- CDC announces that it amended its Face Masks Order to not require people to wear a mask in outdoor areas of conveyances (if such outdoor areas exist on the conveyance) or while outdoors at transportation hubs.
- CDC announces that, until it can amend the Order, it will exercise its enforcement discretion to not require wearing a mask in outdoor areas of transportation conveyances (if such outdoor areas exist on the conveyance) or while outdoors at transportation hubs.
- CDC continues to recommend wearing of masks in these areas by people who are not fully vaccinated.
4/30/21
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extended the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through September 13, 2021. Additional info on the extension of this mandate can be found on the TSA website.
- Failure to comply may result in denial of boarding and removal from GPMTD vehicles or property or penalties under federal law.
2/1/21
- The CDC issued a federal mandate requiring the wearing of masks by travelers on public transportation to prevent spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. More info on this mandate can be viewed on the CDC website.
- Failure to comply may result in denial of boarding and removal from GPMTD vehicles or property or penalties under federal law.
- APTA Health & Safety Commitments Mask Mandate Flyer
1/4/21
- CityLink/GPMTD resumed fare collection on all transportation services beginning on Monday, January 4, 2021
- Passengers of CityLink fixed route bus service, CityLift paratransit service and CountyLink rural transportation service need to pay a fare to ride.
- The Transit Center facility lobby (407 SW Adams) reopened to the public on Monday, January 4, 2021.
- Customer Service window transactions resumed at the CityLink Transit Center and Administrative office (2105 NE Jefferson Ave.) beginning on January 4, 2021.
- Utility payments and Burlington Trailways ticket sales at the Transit Center were still suspended until further notice.
- Social distancing inside the Transit Center lobby is enforced, and face masks or alternative protective face coverings continue to be required while riding all GPMTD transportation services and/or while at the Transit Center or CityLink Administrative office.
- Any 30-Day Passes that were activated when the suspension of fare collection began (March 17, 2021) were reissued.
- Passengers needed to bring their expired pass to the Transit Center during normal business hours to get a new pass at the Customer Service windows.
- The reissuing of passes was valid on the 30-Day Pass only.
- A full list of fares and ticket price is available on the Fares page of this website.
- Obtainment of Benefit Access/Half-fare/Paratransit Rider IDs resumed on the second floor of the Transit Center on January 4, 2021.
- All Benefit Access/Half-fare/Paratransit Rider IDs that expired in 2020 were honored until May 1, 2021.
- For more information, please call Carla at 309-679-8183.
- CityLink continued to sanitize and deep clean all vehicles and facilities with EPA approved products recommended by the CDC daily.
12/20/20
- Effective December 20, 2020, CityLink fixed buses resumed front door boarding.
- This decision was made due in part to new driver barriers that have been installed on all of the buses to further protect operators and passengers.
9/18/20
- CityLink announced its participation in APTA Health and Safety Commitments Program.
- More information on this program can be found on the APTA website.
9/10/2020
- Updated flyers regarding the free COVID-19 testing site located at the Peoria Civic Center.
7/27/2020
- GPMTD implements Face Mask Policy to provide a uniform set of guidelines for the wearing of face masks/face coverings on GPMTD property or vehicles to provide for the protection of employees and visitors.
7/6/2020
- CityLink released statement on maintenance employee testing positive for COVID-19.
- This employee did not have any direct contact with bus operators, other employees who have direct contact with the public or with the general public.
- CityLink continued protocols to sanitize and deep clean all vehicles and facilities daily with EPA approved products recommended by the CDC.
6/23/2020
- CityLink is fully resumed regularly scheduled fixed route bus service operating hours effective June 29, 2020.
- This included weekday, Saturday and Sunday service.
- The Transit Center lobby remained closed to the public until further notice.
- The suspension of fare collection continued until further notice. (Passengers are not required to pay a fare.)
- Passengers continued to be required to wear a face mask or an alternative protective face covering prior to boarding, while riding all transportation services and/or while at the Transit Center facility.
5/21/2020
- CityLink extended fixed route bus service effective June 1, 2020. For weekday and Saturday service, the last lineup to leave the Transit Center departed at 10:00 p.m. on all late night routes that would normally have service after 10:00 p.m. Sunday service remains as scheduled.
- The Transit Center lobby remained closed to the public until further notice.
4/8/2020
- In accordance with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, GPMTD requires all passengers to wear a face mask or an alternative protective face covering while riding all transportation services and/or while at the Transit Center facility effective April 8, 2020 until further notice.
- This includes passengers riding CityLink fixed route bus service, CityLift paratransit service and CountyLink rural transportation service.
4/3/2020
- GPMTD requested that rides on all transportation services be limited to essential trips only until further notice.
- This included rides on CityLink fixed route bus service, CityLift paratransit service and CountyLink rural transportation service.
- Service continued to be available for passengers working essential jobs and needing access to essential services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and medical appointments.
3/31/2020
- GPMTD extended the suspension of fare collection on all transportation services until further notice. This includes CityLink fixed route bus service, CityLift paratransit service and CountyLink rural transportation service. The fare collection suspension was originally put in place on March 17, 2020.
- Passengers are still encouraged to keep any passes that are already activated or may have become inactive during the fare collection suspension.
- Posted the following flyer on the buses and at the Transit Center requesting passengers refrain from riding if they are sick or display symptoms associated with COVID-19:
3/21/2020
- Posted the following signage/flyers on buses asking all non-ADA passengers to enter and exit through the rear door, adhere to social distancing guidelines, and a notice regarding the suspension of collecting fares:
3/18/2020
- CityLink reduced fixed route bus service on all routes effective March 19, 2020.
- Weekday and Saturday service remains the same for lineups departing the Transit Center; however, the last lineup to leave the Transit Center now departs at 8:45 p.m. on all routes that would normally have service later than the 8:45 p.m. lineup.
- Sunday service remains as scheduled.
- Transit Center lobby was closed to the public effective after the 5:15 p.m. lineup on March 18, 2020 until further notice.
3/17/2020
- GPMTD suspended fare collection on all transportation services beginning on March 17, 2020 as a precautionary measure to eliminate the physical contact required between the operator and passengers.
- This includes CityLink fixed route bus service, CityLift paratransit service and CountyLink rural transportation service.
- Passengers were encouraged to keep any passes that are already activated, and announcements will be made from GPMTD once the suspension on fare collection is lifted.
- All Customer Service window transactions were suspended at the CityLink Transit Center and Administrative office (2105 NE Jefferson Ave.) March 17, 2020 until further notice.
- Customer Service staff was available to assist passengers via phone at 309-676-4040 during this time.
- Obtainment of Benefit Access/Half-fare/Paratransit Rider IDs was suspended until further notice and the office was closed to the public effective March 17, 2020 until further notice.
3/13/2020
CityLink shares its initial response to the COVID-19/coronavirus disease outbreak.
- Taking extra precautionary measures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19/coronavirus disease.
- All CityLink buses and facilities, including the Transit Center (407 SW Adams St.), are being sanitized and deep cleaned daily with EPA approved products recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Peoria City/County Health Department.
- Reminder that all CityLink fixed route buses are equipped with hand sanitizer for passengers to use, and the Transit Center is equipped with three hand sanitizer stations.