A new Knox County board task force will help move forward a plan to extend public transportation options into rural areas in the county.
Board Chair Jared Hawkinson said the county started collaborating with the city of Galesburg several years ago on rural transportation and previously approved a resolution in support of it.
The city has since completed a transportation study that showed a need for fixed route service in the county, especially for older adults and non-drivers to get to medical appointments and shopping areas. It also analyzed the city’s capacity for extending service outside Galesburg.
Hawkinson said potential county routes and the cost of implementation are starting to come into focus. He said the next step will probably be execution of the transportation plan.
“It’s going to be real exciting here within the next six to nine months in the county for transportation," Hawkinson said.
Earlier this year, the city’s public transportation department conducted surveys of county residents and local agencies to determine needs.
“We all know that it’s needed,” Hawkinson said.
Four county board members were appointed to the task force. They are Hawkinson, Rick Sandoval, Josh Kramer, and Pam Davidson.
In addition to working with the city to move the rural transportation plan forward, the task force will deliver monthly reports to the county board.
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