When the news came this past Friday (Jan 2nd) that CRIS Rural Mass Transit was ceasing operations in Vermilion, Ford, and Iroquois Counties; Danville Mass Transit swung into action to make sure city residents did not miss weekend appointments. Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr said on Monday that it was a great effort.
AUDIO: I’m incredibly proud of Mass Transit Director Steve White and his team over there. They called all the dialysis centers in town. They made sure that every person who was served by CRIS, in the City of Danville that needed dialysis treatment, got it yesterday. They’ll be doing the same this week, as much as we’re able to.
Mayor Williams said that what happened, CRIS’ funds being frozen by IDOT and therefore spurring the shutdown, was not a big surprise; after a report that was released a while back.
AUDIO: The Department of Transportation issued, basically an audit, that they’d done across a couple year period; where CRIS only had receipts proving 46% of their expenditures.
Williams says the next step would be the city helping those outside city limits who received rides from CRIS. But that could take a while.
AUDIO: We are the county seat, after all. We care very much about our neighbors. Again, I just remind everyone, please be patient. This will take time. We have to procure equipment. We have to enter into new intergovernmental agreements through the State of Illinois, with other governmental entities, and also contractoral relationships. We also have to get all that equipment insured as well.
The mayor stated that a recent proposal to make the city the lead financial institution for CRIS Rural Transportation in Vermilion County was voted down by the County Board. The mayor said he recalls concern over allocation of funds being a major issue.
