New public transit program coming to rural region

Public meetings to explain a new transportation service in Mercer and Rock Island counties will be held throughout the two counties over the next few weeks, beginning with the first meeting on Friday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. at the Viola Public Library, 1504 14th St., Viola.

In the upcoming months, Project NOW and the counties of Mercer and Rock Island will be initiating a demand-response transportation service to assist individuals with disabilities, seniors, and the general public in obtaining rides to and from rural areas of both counties.

The new service, named "RIM Rural Transit," was developed over the past two years with the participation of human service agencies and local governments within the area.

In order to provide the public and interested parties with more information on the system prior to its kick-off, Project NOW and Bi-State Regional Commission have scheduled six public input meetings during the month of October. The meeting dates and locations are listed below.  

PUBLIC INPUT MEETING DATES

Oct. 2, 2009  at 5 p.m. - Viola Public Library, 1504 14th St., Viola

Oct. 5, 2009 at 5 p.m. - River Valley District Library, 214 S. Main St., Port Byron

Oct. 6, 2009 at 5 p.m. - Andalusia Township Library, 503 W 2nd St., Andalusia

Oct. 9, 2009 at 5 p.m. - Aledo Senior Center, 137 W Main St., Aledo

Oct. 13, 2009 at 5 p.m. - Sherrard Public Library, 200 5th Ave. , Sherrard

Oct. 19, 2009 at 6 p.m. - Robert Jones Public Library, 900 1st St., Coal Valley