| Rides Mass Transit District | |
| Founded: | 1977 |
| Headquarters: | 1304 Frank Leberman Drive, Harrisburg, IL 62946 |
| Locale: | Carbondale, Harrisburg, and Marion, Illinois |
| Service Area: | Southeast Illinois; Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Lawrence, Pope, Richland, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White, and Williamson counties |
| Service Type: | Bus service, paratransit |
| Routes: | 12 |
| Hubs: | SIU Student Center |
| Stations: | Bill Jung Transfer Center |
| Fleet: | 137 buses |
| Annual Ridership: | 1,119,285 (2019) |
| Website: | Rides Mass Transit District |
Rides Mass Transit District (RMTD) is a provider of mass transportation in Southern Illinois, primarily serving Harrisburg and Marion. Local fixed-route transit service is provided in these three communities, while additional demand-response service is available through the 17 county service area. The counties served include Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Lawrence, Pope, Richland, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White, and Williamson counties.[1] As of 2019, the system provided 1,119,285 rides over 249,718 annual vehicle revenue hours with 137 buses.[2] In FY 2024, the system provided 636,290 rides over 141,218 annual vehicle revenue hours.
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 However, by 1933 these streetcar systems had all been replaced by buses.[3] The beginning of the RMTD was in 1977, when the Rural Initiative Development of Effective Services (RIDES) began in Pope and Hardin counties,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.
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.[6] The facility opened on October 7, 2019, allowing access to RMTD services, South Central Transit and Greyhound Lines.[7]
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.[8] 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.[9]
RMTD operated Saluki Express service in Carbondale from 2019-August 2024 when Jackson County Mass Transit District took over operations.
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.
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.[10] The Marion Crosstown route provides service at 60 minute headways six days each week. Within Harrisburg, the Bulldog Route provides service at 60 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.[11] The Marion-Carbondale Route operates with departures each hour on weekdays and every two hours on Saturday. Fixed Route service in Robinson, Illinois was established in August 2024 with 60 minute headways operating Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
At the Bill Jung Transfer Center and Park-and-Ride in Marion, Illinois, the Wildcat Route, Marion Crosstown, and Marion-Carbondale route provide connections to South Central Transit.
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.[7] It is served by the Wildcat Route and Marion-Carbondale Route of RMTD, as well as the Olive Route of South Central Transit. It was named to honor the 25 year CEO of RMTD.[12]