New bus service connects Pontiac and Normal campuses

Connect Transit has partnered with Heartland Community College to provide transportation access for students along the I-55 corridor from Pontiac to Normal.

Beginning in mid-August, to coincide with the beginning of the Heartland Community College (HCC) Fall term, Connect Transit will run a bus line that picks up near the HCC Pontiac Center (Pontiac Public Library) at 7:00 a.m. and ends at the Main Campus in Normal at 8:00 a.m., Monday-Thursday.

The bus will depart the Heartland Normal campus at 4:00 p.m. and end the return trip in Pontiac at 5:00 p.m. The line will additionally make stops in Chenoa, Lexington, and Towanda for both the morning and afternoon runs.

“It is core to our ongoing mission to provide access to education for individuals in our district, and many students face transportation barriers,” said Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille. “The expansion of bus service from Pontiac to Normal, to include stops in communities between the two campuses, provides better access for our students who may be attending classes at both locations. We are fortunate to have great partners with Connect Transit Board and the McLean County Board to help us provide safe, reliable, and accessible transportation for our students.” 

As with Connect Transit service in Bloomington-Normal, Heartland Community College students can ride buses free of charge with their student ID.

"Transportation should never be a barrier to education. Through our partnership with Heartland Community College and the support of McLean County, we are advancing our shared commitment to improving lives,” said Brady Lange, Connect Transit Chief Executive Officer. “By expanding service to communities like Pontiac, Chenoa, Lexington, and Towanda, we're making it easier for more people to access classes, pursue their goals, and invest in their futures while making connections across the region."

The route opens up free transportation to hundreds of in-person classes that are offered at the Main Campus to students living along the I-55 corridor from Normal to Pontiac. Students are able to pair the Main Campus courses with in-person courses offered at the Pontiac campus and online courses for more flexibility in scheduling. 

The bus is equipped with free wi-fi service, allowing students to work as they travel.