New Rural Transportation Service Launched in Ford County

July 17, 2025

Original coverage in the Ford County Chronicle.

The CRIS Rural Mass Transit District has expanded its public transportation services into Ford County and is working to get out the word to residents. 

Based in Danville and previously serving just Vermilion County, the rural transportation district is now providing shared-ride transportation services in Ford, County, too, with the expansion launched this month. 

“We’ve done three trips so far,” CRIS’ chief executive officer, Melissa Walters, told the Ford County Board during its monthly meeting in Paxton on Monday, July 14. “It’s starting off slow, but we’re hoping you guys help get the word out.” 

Ford County Board member Tim Nuss of rural Roberts said the local rural transportation services — made possible through an intergovernmental agreement involving neighboring Iroquois and Livingston counties — should get plenty of use once people realize it is indeed available. 

“I just think it’s going to be bigger than what most of us imagine,” Nuss told his colleagues. “(Walters has) done a great job, and I’m anxious to see it. … I think we’re in good hands with CRIS for transportation, and we’re going places and doing things with them that the people of Ford County need drastically.” 

In Ford County, CRIS is offering daytime weekday rides that start and end in the county for $5 each way. Examples include a ride from Gibson City to Paxton, or a ride within either of those towns. For $7 each way, CRIS offers rides from Ford County to Champaign County, as well. Rides must be booked at least 48 hours in advance by calling CRIS at 217-443-2287. 

Walters said those using the service to get to and from medical appointments may be able to have their rides covered by their insurance. Walters noted that CRIS uses 15-passenger buses and seven-passenger vans, each equipped with lifts that can carry wheelchairs and scooters. 

Walters provided board members with a tri-fold pamphlet with further details on the service — which launched in Ford County on Monday, July 7 — and asked them to help spread the word. 

Walters has been doing everything she can herself. 

“We’re trying to promote this as much as we possibly can,” Walters told the board, noting she has attended numerous meetings and events in recent weeks to distribute information to residents. “We’re just trying to get information out.” 

Walters asked board members for any suggestions they might have on how to reach even more people. 

“I do want to get some feedback from the board on how we can maybe infiltrate a little better,” Walters told the board. “Do you think a billboard would work? A newspaper article? Commercials on the radio?” 

“Social media — Facebook,” board member Lesley King of Piper City suggested later in the meeting. 

“I think radio’s a great idea,” board member Cindy Ihrke of rural Roberts added. “Both radio stations (in Ford County will) work with you. … And then there’s another station that plays country music — they’re not based here, but Pheasants Forever uses them to promote their (annual) banquet and people listen to it.” 

Meanwhile, Walters said she plans to regularly attend meetings of the newly formed committee overseeing rural transportation in Ford, Iroquois and Livingston counties and has joined an advisory committee for Birth to Five Illinois, as well, “so I can get a better feel for your guys’ landscape and the needs here.” 

Board Chairman Chase McCall of Gibson City said he forwarded an email from the Illinois Department of Transportation to Nuss and board member Cindy Ihrke, who are Ford County’s representatives on the tri-county rural transportation committee, stating that IDOT is aware of the newly formed service in Ford County and that Ford County is no longer partnering with McLean County and others to provide public transportation through Showbus. IDOT will be distributing the remaining grant funds from the old arrangement to the involved counties, McCall said. 

“The funds, I believe, are to be used for transportation equipment — so buses, vans, things of that nature,” McCall said.