Passenger Link – April 2020

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COVID-19 Information

The health and safety of passengers and employees is the top priority for CityLink/GPMTD during the current COVID-19/coronavirus health crisis. Many essential workers and passengers needing access to essential services rely on public transportation. CityLink has been able to continue providing service, although currently reduced, for those that need these services during the health crisis. With the health and safety of passengers and employees in mind, the following changes have been implemented:

• 4/8/2020 — In accordance with 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 until further notice.
• 4/3/2020 — GPMTD requests rides on all transportation services be limited to essential trips only until further notice.
• 3/31/2020 — Posted the flyer on the buses and at the Transit Center requesting passengers to refrain from riding if they are sick or display symptoms associated with COVID-19.
• 3/21/2020 — Posted 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 weekday and Saturday routes with service after the 8:45 p.m. lineup. Sunday service remains as scheduled.
  • Transit Center lobby is closed to the public until further notice.
• 3/17/2020 — GPMTD suspended fare collection on all transportation services until further notice as a precautionary measure to eliminate the physical contact required between the operator and passengers.
  • Customer Service window transactions are suspended at the Transit Center and Admin office until further notice.
  • Obtainment of Benefit Access/Half-fare/Paratransit Rider IDs is suspended until further notice and the office is closed to the public.
• 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 are being sanitized and deep cleaned daily with EPA approved products recommended by the CDC and the Peoria City/County Health Department.

While this continues to be an evolving situation, CityLink/GPMTD will endeavor to make decisions that are in the best interest of passengers and employees. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times. Visit www.ridecitylink.org/covid19 for the latest COVID-19 updates and news from CityLink/GPMTD.

Jerome Lilly Passenger Appreciation Day Postponed

In light of the current health crisis, CityLink has decided to postpone/reschedule Jerome Lilly Passenger Appreciation, originally scheduled for April 20, 2020.

More details will be shared once a new date for this event has been selected. Thank you for your understanding during these difficult times.

CityLink Receives $1.23 Million to Fund Battery-Electric Bus

Representatives from CityLink were invited to attend a press conference on Feb. 20 announcing the recipients of funding from this settlement.

CityLink was selected as the recipient of $1.23 million to fund the purchase of one 35-foot battery-electric bus, the battery lease and the accompanying charging equipment as part of the Edwards Settlement Fund Distribution.

The Edward Settlement Fund Distribution was the result of a 2013 lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council and Respiratory Health Association (represented by the Environmental Law & Policy Center) against the owners of the E.D. Edwards coal-fired power plant, located on the Illinois River south of Bartonville. The lawsuit alleged the E.D. Edwards plant was in violation of the Clean Air Act. The result of the settlement requires the Edwards’ owner to close the plant by the end of 2022 (subject to regulatory approval) and to provide $8.6 million in funding for projects to benefit the greater Peoria region, including funding for electric buses for public transit fleets.

The bus purchased with the funding from this settlement will be one of three battery-electric Proterra buses CityLink expects to be delivered in summer 2021. The three new battery-electric Proterra buses will replace three aging diesel-engine buses in CityLink’s active fleet of 53 fixed route buses.

New Director of Safety and Training

CityLink recently welcomed Jason Culberson as the new Director of Safety and Training. He is a U.S. Navy veteran, has seven years of professional transit experience, including time as a bus operator in DeKalb, Illinois and as the Safety Manager at Veolia Transportation in Cobb County, Georgia.

In Culberson’s role as Director of Safety and Security at CityLink, he serves at the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (GPMTD) Chief Safety Officer, ensuring employees follow policies and procedures and employees maintain a healthy, secure and safe working environment. He is also responsible for developing and administering the GPMTD Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan and Safety Management System, and ensuring it is in compliance with all aspects of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) rules.

Transit Center Remodel Update

The CityLink Transit Center recently underwent an extensive remodel, refresh, and optimization. The project began in October 2019 and is mostly completed as of April 2020. The lobby is fully completed; however it is currently closed to the public during the COVID-19 health crisis. Renovations completed during this remodel include:

• Lobby — Flooring replaced; new paint, updated vending machines; new stand tables with charging stations
• Public restrooms fully remodeled
• Remodel of Customer Service Office — Including extension of one of the Customer Service windows
• Remodel of Operator Break Room
• Remodel of Security Office — Addition of Road Supervisor office space
• Remodel of Mobility Management Offices — Benefit Access/Half-fare/Paratransit Rider ID Office and Director of Mobility Office

Video boards are also planned be installed in lobby the future.

Thank you for your patience during all phases of this remodel project!