Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District

On November 24, 1970, a mere week after the lines looked to be closing, the referendum was approved and Thomas Evans was appointed the director of the new mass transit district. The new MTD began operation on August 2, 1971, for a fee of $0.30 per ride with free transfers on buses which allowed one to navigate the area using several different bus lines. On May 13, 1971, a federal grant was procured to help this both fledgling and historic transit district rework its fleet of buses, purchasing fifteen new buses and ten used buses from Peoria, Illinois. In 1973, the MTD expanded its routes to include the university, offering routes around the university and to the graduate housing complex. Fees for University students were at a reduced rate, paying only $0.10 per ride, or purchasing a $20 semester pass for unlimited rides.

In 1984, MTD received national recognition when it was chosen as the 7th best transportation system in America, outranking the systems provided by many larger cities across the country. In 1986 and 1994, it was the recipient of the American Public Transit Association's Outstanding Achievement Award. In 2026, Champaign-Urbana was named by Travel + Leisure as the U.S. city, excluding New York City, with the best public transportation system.

In 1993, MTD introduced low-floor buses to its fleet with an order of 15 New Flyer D40LF buses. MTD was one of the first transit agencies in the United States to introduce low-floor buses.

In 1994, MTD introduced articulated buses to its fleet, by purchasing 13 second-hand Crown-Ikarus 286 buses from Transit Authority of River City of Louisville, Kentucky. These buses were replaced by newly purchased New Flyer D60LF articulated buses in 2001-2002.

In 1999, Illinois Terminal was created in downtown Champaign which serves as both a transit hub for the MTD and a connection between the MTD, Amtrak and intercity bus lines.

In 2001, MTD purchased its first new articulated buses, with an order of 12 New Flyer D60LF buses (retired in 2023). In 2009, MTD introduced hybrid electric buses with the introduction of five Gillig BRT 30' midibuses (retired in 2021) and four New Flyer DE60LFR articulated buses (retired in 2024).

In fall 2021, MTD introduced hydrogen fuel cell buses to its fleet, with two New Flyer XHE60 articulated buses. This represents the first commercial order for articulated hydrogen buses in the United States. This was followed up by a purchase of ten rigid New Flyer XHE40 hydrogen fuel cell buses in 2023, which are currently being delivered in 2024.

Today the MTD provides over 11 million rides per year. The current one-way bus fare is $1. Transfers are free and may be used to connect with another route at transfer points to complete a one-way trip. An annual bus pass can be purchased for $60. The annual pass allows unlimited rides. An all-day pass, good for either Saturday or Sunday, can be bought for $2. All University of Illinois students, faculty, and staff have unlimited access to all routes and services.

Facilities

Administration and Operations Offices

1101 E. University Avenue, Urbana, IL. 40°06′55″N 88°11′43″W

Maintenance Department and Bus Garage

803 E. University Avenue, Urbana, IL. 40°06′57″N 88°11′53″W

Accidents

Fatal accidents

Prior to 2004, MTD never had an accident involving a fatality. Since 2004, there have been two fatal accidents involving pedestrians and MTD buses. Both cases involved University of Illinois students on campus:

Oct. 27, 2004: Carolyn B. Jeffers, a pedestrian, was struck and killed by a 26 Pack bus at the intersection of S Goodwin Ave and Gregory Dr, Urbana.

Sept. 29, 2005: Sarah Channick, a pedestrian, was struck and killed by a 22 Illini bus at the intersection of S 6th St and E Chalmers St, Champaign. The Channick family sued MTD; the lawsuit was eventually settled for $1.25 million.

After Channick's death, the governments of Champaign and Urbana, the University of Illinois, and MTD conducted the Campus Area Transportation Study (commonly referred to as "CATS"), which made specific recommendations to improve bus safety on campus. As of December 2011, two of three proposed phases had been implemented.

Bus vs. pedestrian accidents

Nov. 4, 2024: An MTD bus hit a pedestrian in the roadway at the intersection of Wright Street and University Avenue. The pedestrian sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital. Champaign police officers cited the bus operator for their role in the collision.

Sept. 10, 2024: MTD bus 1185 operating a 12 Teal run collided with a University of Illinois student riding an electric scooter near the intersection of Goodwin Avenue and Nevada Street in Urbana. Urbana Police Department Lieutenant Cory Koker told The Daily Illini that the student riding the scooter improperly entered into a crosswalk in front of the bus and subsequently “collided with the bumper of the bus.” The student reportedly sustained only minor injuries.