DEKALB – Bus route changes and lower fare rates are being considered in DeKalb.

The DeKalb Sycamore Area Transport Study [DSATS], Voluntary Action Center [VAC], DeKalb transportation staff, NIU staff and Transdev staff have been working towards altering bus routes to increase efficiency.

From June 1 to July 16 officials held a public comment period along with five open houses for residents to voice their opinions on the proposed changes. Route changes will affect the Huskie Bus Line, TransVAC and public transit fares.

“We want to get this going, get it started and then we’ll go through the yearly process of what should change,” Transit Coordination Coordinator Bob Bourne said.

Bourne said he looked at fixed route contractors across the country and officials have decided to take a different approach on hiring. He said rather than telling contractors what to do they will be asking what they can offer.

“As you know right now huskie line is operated by Northern Illinois University it’s going to become city responsibility,” Bourne said. “That’s going to allow us access to federal and state funds for those services. We’ve got the routes and schedules and all of that worked together and now we’re going to bid the contract.”

Bourne said he looked at fixed route contractors across the country and officials have decided to take a different approach on hiring. He said rather than telling contractors what to do they will be asking what they can offer.

“We’re going through some changes now here in August and we’ll go through some additional changes in January,” Bourne said.

Bourne said VAC will be taking over the Huskie paratransit system, Freedom Mobile, and transitioning to running Route 18. He also said during the public comment period they received feedback to have additional bus routes downtown.

Second Ward Alderperson Bill Finucane said the document is well written and he’s excited to see how it turns out.

Along with changes to bus routes there is potential for nine additional bus shelters to be built in various locations.

Public Works Director Tim Holderman said there are about 25 bus shelters in the area.

“15 are owned by the city, 10 by NIU so this addition of 9 bus shelters would be significant. We’re looking at placing three of those in the city of Sycamore,” Holderman said.

Bus fee updates:

•Reduced Paratransit fare from $1.50 to $1.00. Standardized Fares on both VAC Green (18) and Blue (21) Routes and Huskie Routes 6 (16) and 7 (17):

• A fifty-cent ($0.50) fare for adults. VAC’s former fare was $0.50, and Huskie Line’s former fare was $1.00.

• A twenty-five cent ($0.25) fare for senior citizens, ages 65 or older, and individuals with disabilities. This has been raised, as VAC’s former fare was a free policy.

• A twenty-five cent ($0.25) fare for K-12 students. VAC’s former fare was $0.50.

• NIU students, staff, an