2026 April Report - Reagan Mass Transit District

Report to RMTD Board of Directors

April 15, 2026 | 4:30 PM

RIDERSHIP DATA (January 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026)

	January, 2026	February, 2026	March, 2026	3rd QTR Total
Rides	7,221	7,800	7,834	22,855
Service Hours	2,268	2,303	2,410	6,981
Miles of Service	64,636	66,631	68,500	199,767
Fuel Cost	$16,835.78	$17,842.06	$23,432.32	$58,110.16

NEWEST DEVELOPMENTS

Budget/Contracts for FY 2027 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)
1. The FY 2027 IDOT Contract Applications have been submitted.
2. FY 2027 apportionment totals are:
  - 5311 Contract: $476,684
  - DOAP Contract: $5,227,272
  - 5311F Contract (I-88 and I-39): $2,029,606
3. FY 2027 Contract Amounts for Rural Winnebago County Public Transportation:
  - 5311 Contract: $207,684
  - DOAP Contract: $798,800
Whiteside County Annexation
1. Reagan MTD is working with Whiteside County government on the proposed annexation of that county’s public transportation operation into RMTD.
2. Both sides approved a Memorandum of Understanding during March meetings of the Whiteside County Board and the Reagan MTD Board of Directors.
Oregon Office Construction
1. The bidding period for a General Contractor to construct the proposed new office location in Ogle County will end this Friday, April 17, with bids being opened during a public meeting at 10:00 AM at Larson & Darby in Rockford.
2. Once the lowest bidder has been identified, Reagan MTD will begin the process of making sure that General Contractor is eligible for consideration. Additionally, Reagan MTD will complete Pre-Award Concurrence paperwork for submission to Illinois Department of Transportation.
3. Location for the development of this new office, modeled after the existing Reagan Transit Center in Dixon, will be at the corner of Illinois Route 2 and Pines Road.
Fore Wheels! Golf Outing
1. Planning is underway for Reagan MTD’s 2^nd Annual Golf Outing fundraiser June 19, 2026, at Timber Creek Golf Course in Dixon. Save the Date reminder cards have gone out. Registration brochures (golfing and sponsorships) are now available – electronically and hard copy.
2. Information is available on the RMTD website: www.reaganmasstransit.org
3. The fundraiser netted $12,500 in funding support for Reagan MTD.
Transit Desert Grant / IDOT State Planning and Research
1. The public survey for Ogle County feedback on Transit Deserts is now open to residents of that county. This survey follows a series of Focus Groups and Key Stakeholder interviews conducted in Ogle County.
2. Survey, focus group and key stakeholder elements of the study have already been completed in Lee County.
3. The Center for Governmental Studies of Northern Illinois University is serving as the consultant partner for this study. Currently, wrap up for the entire Transit Desert Study is scheduled for next Spring/Summer.

DEVELOPMENTS

Rural Winnebago County Transit Services
1. Rural Winnebago County Public Transportation service continues to gain ridership momentum.
  - During first 6 months of FY 2026, 627 rides were provided to rural residents of Winnebago
2. Reagan MTD is seeking community events where the transit services can be highlighted.
Hydrogen Fuel Feasibility Study
1. Progress is continuing with the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Feasibility Study.
  - Focus of the most recent meeting with the project consultants from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign was on a Literature Review of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and /or research similar to what has been proposed with this local study.
2. The Project Consultant has initiated Stakeholder interviews with identified persons/ organizations of interest.
3. Consultants have initiated a Benefit Cost Analysis of implementing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Vehicle Procurement
1. RMTD is awaiting the announcement of a second CVP round of vehicles, planned for March.
  - Initial plans are calling for a request of 20 replacement (and expansion) vehicles for RMTD.
  - RMTD collaborated with IDOT on a federal proposal to the Low/No Emission Grants.RMTD will procure two (2) electric buses via this proposal.
  - No timeline on how soon these vehicles will be available for pick-up.
Service Contract Discussions
1. Service contract opportunities are being sought with businesses and organizations in rural Winnebago County, which Reagan MTD began providing services on July 1, 2025.
  - In August, Reagan MTD sat down with the President of Rock Valley College to discuss the potential for developing a service contract that would provide rides to the student body.
2. Discussions on service contracts have been had with Rochelle Community Hospital as well as OSF Saint Katharine. Both are in preliminary stages. A meeting was also held with Mercy Health.

OPERATIONAL AND CAPITAL RELATED DEVELOPMENTS

Capital Funding / Community Project Funding | Representative Darin LaHood
1. Funding includes construction of additional administrative space at Dixon Transit Center
2. Total amount of funding is $2.9472 million to provide for planned expansion at the Reagan Transit Center in Dixon.
Capital Funding / REBUILD Round 1
1. Date extension paperwork is in process for extending this project timeline to March 31, 2028
2. Funding provides for construction of new Oregon location
3. Furnishings and equipment for Oregon facility
4. Implementation of video surveillance cameras in 17 of RMTD’s buses and minivans (completed).
5. Twelve (12) more vehicles of RMTD were outfitted with camera systems.
6. Three (3) new buses (Ford Transit type vehicles)
Capital Funding / REBUILD Round 2
1. RMTD Proposal will allow for the following:
  - Two electric vehicles for use in the RMTD system
  - Three (3) new offices at Reagan Transit Center and secured file room/storage room
  - Develop a new Conference Room between Reagan Transit Center and Mechanical Bay
  - Geothermal and Solar technologies will be incorporated into complex
Capital Funding / REBUILD Round 3
1. Paperwork has been executed to extend the project timeline to September 30, 2026
2. RMTD will receive $62,500 for the purchase of 2 service vehicles