CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — People in Champaign are worried about losing a bus stop that drops them off right in front of services they need.
C-U MTD is proposing changes to their bus route that would take away the stop in front of the Salvation Army.
The leader of the Salvation of Champaign County mentioned that the change will affect many residents who rely on the bus route along North Market Street. Instead of a short walk, they would have to cover a quarter-mile distance to reach the destination.
“Bus service and stuff like that should be maintained. Okay. And it’s a public service, so service the public,” Chester Watson said.
Watson is among the many individuals who depend on the bus for transportation. He, along with some others who frequently visit the Salvation Army, discovered that the bus stop at North Market Place could be moving to a new location.
Karl Gnadt, the managing director and CEO of C-U MTD, explained, “Market Place asked us to cover a maintenance fee for using their roads throughout their premises, but our board chose not to agree to that request.”
Gnadt said they’re stuck in between a rock and a hard place. They still have to discuss the situation with the MTD board but time is limited. Now, it’s putting people like Watson in a tight position.
“For me, it is inconvenient because I’m blind and I got a bad back. I got a bad knee. I can’t walk that far, and I’ll just be trapped,” Watson said.
C-U MTD officials said the relocation spot will be further down the road in front of the Housing Authority of Champaign County, which is a quarter of a mile from the Salvation Army building.
“The board and staff of MTD are very concerned about not being able to service, but we also have to deal with the reality that we don’t have an ability to get the bus turned around and in a timely manner,” Gnadt said.
Watson said if the bus location ends up changing he’ll just stay at home and forget about the Salvation Army services.
“It’s convenient, you know, and that’s what it’s all about, is being convenient. Public services supposedly are convenient and you take away convenience, you taking away everything,” Watson said.
WCIA reached out to Market Place Mall for a comment but did not immediately receive a response back.
The next board meeting to talk about the change will be May 28.
