The SHOWBUS rural transportation service was ended Friday.  Iroquois County and Livingston County are now searching for another provider to make sure riders have reliable transportation options.  The cancellation happened suddenly, with little notice.  But the Chairman of the Livingston County Board said it was a necessary move while new options are pursued.

Livingston County Board Chairman James Carley explained in a news release 'the SHOWBUS contract was terminated for Livingston and Iroquois counties, effective immediately' and it was due to ShowBus failing to comply with terms and conditions of their agreement with Livingston County, and failing to adhere to provisions of the grant requirements of the State of Illinois and Illinois Department of Transportation.

Iroquois County is tied to the contract arrangement; Livingston County serving as manager of a Tri-County Agreement providing rural transportation for several east-central Illinois counties, which also included Ford County.  (Ford County recently contracted with CRIS Transportation out of Vermilion County)  Negotiations had been ongoing to either continue with ShowBus or find another bus service, after the Tri-County contract expired June 30.  An extension had allowed the contract to continue thru the end of the fiscal year.

Carley explained its recognized that public transportation is a vital need for citizens and the work continues to identify a suitable service provider to minimize any reduction in service.  However, grant requirements for the State aand IDOT were not being satisfied by ShowBus.

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