The Pekin City Council has officially postponed the renewal of its intergovernmental agreement with CityLink, the region’s public transit provider. Although the contract expired on June 30, the city will maintain current service levels through October 26. This extension allows officials to address lingering concerns regarding infrastructure maintenance and fleet management.
Key takeaways
- The renewal vote is now scheduled for the October 26 city council meeting.
- Pekin contributes $210,000 annually toward the $744,000 cost of local bus services.
- Disagreements persist over which party is responsible for the upkeep of bus shelters and stops.
- CityLink has implemented a bi-weekly cleaning schedule to address oil leaks near the Tazewell County Courthouse.
A delay in negotiations
During a recent meeting, Pekin city officials and CityLink representatives discussed the terms of the upcoming agreement. Mayor Mary Burress noted that the contract requires further refinement before a final vote can be taken. In the interim, the city will continue its quarterly payments of $52,500 to ensure that public transportation remains operational for residents. The current service schedule includes weekday routes from 7:45 a.m. to 5:40 p.m., alongside a dedicated connector route between Pekin and Peoria.
Maintenance and infrastructure disputes
One of the most significant points of contention involves the maintenance of bus stops. While the current agreement assigns responsibility to the city, communication from CityLink has often suggested the transit agency should handle repairs. Council members highlighted the poor condition of a shelter near the UAW Senior Center, which has remained damaged for over a year despite previous reports. City officials are seeking clarity on these obligations to ensure that public property is kept in safe, working order.
Operational concerns and future outlook
Beyond maintenance, the council questioned the efficiency of using large buses for local routes, suggesting that smaller vehicles might save fuel and reduce road wear. CityLink officials explained that smaller buses would be less efficient due to the frequent need to return to Peoria for refueling. Despite these concerns, CityLink reports consistent performance, with the Pekin-to-Peoria connector maintaining a 78% on-time rate and local routes achieving 90% punctuality. With approximately 100,000 rider trips annually, the service remains a vital component of the city’s infrastructure, heavily subsidized by grants and external funding sources to cover the annual $2.2 million operational cost.
