Politics

Midtown Council Approves 2026 Transit Improvement Ordinance, Service Changes to Reach Riders in 2027

The measure redirects $15 million from the capital budget to new bus routes, with initial expansions scheduled for January 2027 in western neighborhoods.

By Midtown Policy Desk · Published July 8, 2026

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The Midtown City Council passed the 2026 Transit Improvement Ordinance on July 7 by a 6-3 vote, reallocating $15 million previously earmarked for fleet replacement to fund five new bus routes. The changes apply directly to riders who use Midtown Transit Authority services for daily travel between residential areas and employment centers along the Elm Street corridor.

The ordinance responds to documented population increases in the western districts, where the authority recorded a 12 percent rise in unserved trip requests during the first quarter of 2026, according to the council's budget papers. Those figures prompted the reallocation after earlier proposals to raise property taxes were set aside.

Effects on Daily Travel

Residents along the new Route 47, which will connect the Westgate apartments to the downtown employment zone, will see the first added buses in January 2027. Commuters who currently transfer twice can expect one fewer connection once the route operates on a 20-minute headway during peak hours. Households near the planned Route 52 stop at Oak Park will gain direct access to the municipal hospital starting the same month.

The fiscal impact statement attached to the ordinance states that base fares will stay at the current $2.25 level through December 2027. After that date any adjustments will require a separate council vote and cannot exceed the rate of inflation measured by the regional consumer price index.

Next Implementation Steps

Procurement documents for the additional buses must be issued by September 2026, with delivery required before the end of the calendar year. Route planning maps will be posted for public comment at Midtown City Hall during August, and the authority will hold two open houses in October to adjust stop locations based on resident input before final schedules are printed.

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