The intergovernmental agreement in place between Pekin and CityLink for public transportation service has been extended to March 31, 2027, so the two sides can hammer out a new deal.
"In that time, we're going to be talking to CityLink about options for services and costs and how the state could be involved [with a grant], and we'll present some options for the city council to consider for the upcoming budget," said Josh Wray, the city's economic development director.
After tabling approval of a new agreement — essentially the same as previous agreements — twice in July because of uncertainties regarding the terms, the council on Monday rejected the agreement and approved the extension.
"Staff is asking you to get rid of the quote-unquote 'new agreement' that nobody is sure is actually possible, and approve a simple extension to the current agreement," Wray said before the council vote.
CityLink has provided and operated the public transportation service for Pekin and maintained the vehicles and other assets for many years.
In exchange, the city has paid an annual fee of up to $210,000 and maintained the bus stops in the city.
That will continue.
Under the extension, which covers service from July 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, the city will pay CityLink nearly $160,000, although $105,000 has already been paid.
CityLink buses run from Pekin to Peoria and back and in Pekin from 7:45 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. Monday through Friday.
A Pekin-to-Peoria connector runs 12 times daily, and two Pekin routes each run 11 times daily.
A complimentary ADA paratransit service is available anywhere within 3/4 mile of the three routes.
Traffic at Park Ave. and 14th St.
In other business, the Pekin council approved changes in the traffic pattern at the intersection of Park Avenue and 14th Street.
The current signage for northbound traffic on 14th is a right turn-only lane on the outside lane and a straight/left turn-only lane on the inside lane. The configuration causes frequent backups.
The city's traffic safety committee recommended changing the outside lane to a straight/right turn-only lane and having a left turn-only lane on the inside lane.
Also, a "no left turn" sign will be in place for southbound traffic on 14th.
All the lanes on Park will remain the same. Park is a two-way road separated by a media.
