Passenger Link – February 2026

Modernization Project

 We partnered with GFT to transform our maintenance and operation center to better
support a growing, electric fleet. CityLink happened to have one of the oldest maintenance bays in Illinois, lacking space, modern infrastructure, and the flexibility to support routine maintenance, electric bus integration, and expanded operations. At the same time as construction, we still had to maintain full service during construction.

GFT led the master planning and design of a $30 million campus redevelopment for CityLink. The multi-phase strategy ensured seamless day-to-day operations while systematically modernizing every aspect of the site.

Phase one prioritized immediate maintenance needs, with a standalone paint and body shop designed for efficiency and future energy integration. As construction progressed, the project team reimagined each area of the campus around modern workflows and the needs of the operators and mechanics who rely on these spaces every day. The new maintenance building features pull-through bays, advanced lifts, and purpose-built support areas, all integrated into one streamlined environment.

Meanwhile, the second-floor operations and training center combines unified boardrooms, training spaces, a bus simulator, and operator amenities into a single, connected workspace. Throughout the process, the team emphasized circulation, staff experience, and long-term sustainability.

Photovoltaic panels covering more than half the roof supply nearly 40 percent of the site’s total energy, including electric vehicle (EV) charging. A newly acquired, elevated parcel separates employee and visitor traffic from bus movements, creating a safer and more organized campus.

 Key features of this modernization project included a 10-bay maintenance facility with lifts, a dedicated crane bay, and specialized support areas; a 6,500-square-foot paint and body shop with tandem bays, enclosed mix and paint booths, and mezzanine storage; and expanded capacity for up to 53 standard and all-electric buses. An integrated operations and training center with boardroom, simulator space, and operator amenities, along with modernized administrative offices and a unified annex, enhances coordination and efficiency across the campus. Elevated employee and visitor parking improves safety by separating pedestrian and vehicle circulation, while a phased construction approach ensured uninterrupted transit service throughout the project.

The completed facility has significantly improved workflow, efficiency, and safety across maintenance, training, and support functions while maintaining full operations during construction. Beyond operational performance, the new campus created a cohesive, modern workplace that continues to support all employee’s comfort and collaboration, establishing a strong civic presence that reflects CityLink’s commitment to resilient, forward-looking public infrastructure. Designed for adaptability and longevity, this project delivered a future-ready transit hub positioned to serve the region for decades.

WeDriveU Welcomes New Manager

At CityLink, we are pleased to welcome Greg into our public transportation family. Greg is happily married with children and has devoted 41 years to the transportation industry, including 21 years specializing in bus transportation. As general manager overseeing the CityLift and CountyLink service operations under the new WeDriveU contract, Greg and his team officially began service in our public transportation district on December 1, 2025.

Born in California’s Central Valley Bay Area, Greg started his career as a truck driver but developed an interest in fixed-route bus driving, inspired by his father, who spent 30 to 40 years in that field. As Greg transitioned into public transportation, he advanced to the role of operations manager. Early on, his supervisor tasked him with repairing the broken dispatch system. Applying his critical thinking skills, he successfully resolved the issue. When his supervisor was promoted to regional manager, Greg stepped into the general manager position.

Throughout his career, Greg has held various roles in public transportation and possesses a background in the school bus industry. He has worked nationwide, from California to New York, gaining knowledge and sharing expertise with his teams on creating a safe, customer-focused, and efficient transit environment. Greg has also contributed to paratransit services and, despite having retired multiple times, remains passionate about moving forward.

Greg is excited to serve the Peoria, Illinois area through the WeDriveU contract. His goal is to advance CityLift and CountyLink services by promoting growth in ridership and improving on-time performance. He has already implemented productivity enhancements within the dispatch team, emphasizing the importance of punctuality and continuous service improvements through stronger communication.

Currently, under Greg’s leadership, the WeDriveU team includes 45 active drivers, eight trainees in driver classes, seven dispatchers, three mechanics, two utility workers, three office staff members, and an assistant general manager. His objectives are to foster safety awareness, maintain team motivation, and ensure his staff understands the goals and the critical outcomes their work supports.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon

On Monday, January 19, 2026, members of the CityLink team attended the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Luncheon at the Peoria Civic Center. This event serves as a wonderful opportunity for the Peoria community to gather together in fellowship while honoring the legacy and contributions of Dr. King.

This year’s guest speaker was Sunny Hostin, a six-time Emmy Award-winner and two-time New York Times best-selling author. She has been a co-host of The View since 2016. Sunny previously served as a host and legal analyst at CNN, as well as a fill-in co-anchor for ABC News’ World News Now and Good Morning America. 

At the luncheon, Sunny referenced, “Wade in the Water,” urging us to carry forward Dr. King’s dream by working together, even when it’s challenging. She reminded us that, as King wrote in Letter from a Birmingham Jail, injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere, and that waiting for freedom has too often meant never. We must follow his principles: truth-telling, negotiation, self-purification, and direct action to ensure equality for all.

Rosa Parks & Black History Month Celebration

CityLink continues its tradition of honoring Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks on February 4, 2026, by reserving a seat in her honor on each fixed-route bus on her birthday.

Parks famously refused to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a segregated transit bus in Montgomery, Alabama on December 1, 1955, which became one of the most infamous symbols of the modern Civil Rights Movement. Parks passed away at the age of 92 in Detroit, Michigan on October 24, 2005.

“CityLink is pleased to continue the tradition of honoring Rosa Parks on what would have been her 113th birthday. The actions she took on a public transportation bus back in 1955 had a lasting impact on the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Her legacy is important for us to continue celebrating today.”
— Kofi Kisseh, General Manager

In addition to the seat reserved in Parks’ honor on fixed-route buses, several CityLink buses feature Black History Month exterior signage. Continuing this year, we are sharing trivia on various influential African American leaders. These trivia facts are displayed on the monitors throughout the transit center and featured in a social media series on the CityLink’s Facebook page.

Community Engagement

 CxT Roasting Company opened a new location in Campustown on Bradley University’s campus on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The family-owned business moved into the former Starbucks space, marking its fourth CxT coffee shop in Peoria. Several CityLink routes pass by CxT locations throughout the city, and many CityLift passengers enjoy riding along to grab a cup of coffee there as well.

Thursday, January 22, 2026, marked a significant milestone: OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois hosted its Demolition Day event at the site of the former OSF corporate headquarters, located at 800 NE Glen Oak Ave in Peoria, Illinois. This location will soon be transformed into the new Children’s Hospital of Illinois Pediatric Specialty Care Center. This expansion represents a powerful step forward in delivering healing, health, and hope to children and families through life’s most critical moments.

In 2027, CityLink’s fixed-route and paratransit transportation services will be essential in enabling parents to bring their children to see specialized physicians at this innovative new OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Pediatric Specialty Care Center. Therefore, CityLink will continue to connect people to places through efficient, customer-focused public transportation that fosters regional sustainability and prosperity.

On January 23, 2026, CityLink team members attended and sponsored CWTC’s Trivia Night. The fundraiser helped support updates to the Hartrick House, a 24-hour residential home serving adults with disabilities. With everyone’s support, CWTC is able to continue empowering adults with disabilities and creating opportunities that make a real impact in our community.

On January 30, 2026, the Marketing & Community Engagement Team helped support a promotional photoshoot for the North American tour of Les Miserables, coming to the Prairie Home Alliance Theater in February. As longstanding partners with the Peoria Civic Center, we provided the ‘Les Mis’-wrapped bus for a variety of promotional opportunities aimed at building excitement for the show’s arrival.

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, and is a good time to check in on those “New Year, New Me” goals, as everyone is encouraged this month to make lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease, the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. The smallest lifestyle changes can make a big difference over time, and understanding these changes allows you to be better equipped with the tools to maintain and improve your health.

1. Diet

Diet is key for heart health. Limiting saturated fat like high-fat dairy, fatty meat, and processed foods and increasing fiber with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) strongly recommends adopting a Mediterranean diet, which includes: 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, avoidance of saturated and
trans-fats, consumption of legumes and nuts, and low salt.

2. Physical Exercise

Studies show that getting 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week can improve heart health. Ideally, try to raise your heart rate enough to reach aerobic levels: moderate is 50-70% of maximum heart rate; vigorous is 70-80% according to the American Heart Association. You can break that down to 30 minutes for five days a week, and the aerobic exercise can be as simple as walking briskly. Even regular walks can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease by 19%, according to the Current Opinion in
Cardiology via the National Library of Medicine.

3. Sleep
Adults need at least 7-9 hours of quality sleep to support heart health. Disrupted sleep due to conditions such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome are linked to increased cardiovascular disease. New research shows that people who suffer from insomnia are 69% more likely to have a heart attack compared to those without insomnia, occurring more often in women. The greatest risk is among those who sleep five or less hours per night on average. Getting restful sleep often requires optimizing lifestyle behaviors, emotional health, and treatment of other relevant medical conditions.

4. Provider Guidance 
Be sure to see your primary care physician or provider for guidance in any changes in your health practices. Also, be sure to stay up to date on routine screening tests, particularly fasting glucose and cholesterol testing if clinically indicated.