Rides Mass Transit District

In the early 1900s, public transit in Carbondale, Harrisburg and Marion was provided by streetcars. However, by 1933 these streetcar systems had all been replaced by buses.[3] The beginning of the RMTD was in 1977, when the Rural Initiative Development of Effective Services (RIDES) began in Pope and Hardin counties, initially providing rides to nutrition centers. This service slowly expanded to three nearby counties, and in 1990, RMTD was officially formed as a Mass Transit District. Since that time, 12 more counties have joined RMTD.[4]

Major changes came to the system came in the late 2010s, when in 2018 RMTD took over operations of the Saluki Express in Carbondale on June 11.[5] This brought significantly more routes under the RMTD system, and allows SIU students greater access to RMTD services. The Saluki Express maintains a distinctive identity however, with separate branding and buses from the rest of RMTD operations.[6]

Eighteen days later the RMTD broke ground on a new transit center near the VA Medical Center in Marion. The $1.8 million facility includes a park & ride, a six bay covered bus loading area, indoor waiting area and real-time information displays.[7] The facility opened on October 7, 2019, allowing access to RMTD services, South Central Transit and Greyhound Lines.[8]

On March 1, 2023, the Wildcat Service began offering fixed-route transit within Marion. The new 10 stop route is intended to solve inadequate transportation, which is a major barrier to employment in the area.[9] A partnership between RMTD and the city of Marion, five bus shelters were built alongside the service improvement, leading to an immediate increase in patronage of the RMTD buses.[10]

Rides Mass Transit District operates fixed-route services in three communities in Southern Illinois. Additionally, fixed-route service is provided between Carbondale and Marion, while local and intercity demand-response service is operated through the Southeastern Illinois service area. Regular fares for all the fixed-route services are $1.00, although SIU students may ride for free with a QR code.[11][12]

Within Marion, the Wildcat Route provides service at 30 minute headways on weekdays from 6:00 A.M. to 6:15 P.M. and on Saturdays from 8:00 A.M. to 6:15 P.M.[13] Within Harrisburg, the Bulldog Route provides service at 30 minute headways on weekdays from 9:00 A.M. to 5:52 P.M. and at hourly headways on Saturdays from 9:00 A.M. to 4:52 P.M.[14] The Marion-Carbondale Route operates seven time daily on weekdays and three times on Saturday. The regular fare for this service is $2.00.[13]

The Saluki Express operates nine routes within Carbondale with all routes intersecting at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus, where transfers can also be made to the Marion-Carbondale Route at the Student Center. However, not all routes run simultaneously, with greater service provided while SIU is in session and reduced service during the summer and on SIU breaks. Hours of operation for the system are Monday through Friday from 6:30 A.M. to 7:49 P.M., Saturdays from 7:05 A.M. to 7:49 P.M., and Sundays from 7:05 A.M. to 7:27 P.M. Routes vary from 15 minute to one hour headways.[15]

The Saluki Express provides transfer opportunities to JCMTD and the Marion-Carbondale Route at a number of locations. At the Amtrak station, transfers can be made to South Central Transit and Amtrak. At the Bill Jung Transfer Center, the Wildcat Route and Marion-Carbondale route provide connections to South Central Transit and Greyhound Lines.[16]

The Bill Jung Transfer Center is located at 2315 West Main Street in Marion. Opened on October 7, 2019, the facility features six bus bays and an indoor waiting area for passengers.[8] It is served by the Wildcat Route and Marion-Carbondale Route of RMTD, as well as the Olive Route of South Central Transit and intercity bus service from Greyhound Lines. It was named to honor the 25 year CEO of RMTD.[17]

[18]

• List of bus transit systems in the United States
• List of intercity bus stops in Illinois
• Carbondale station
• Jackson County Mass Transit District
• South Central Transit

• Official website