Kane Co. wants to know why people don't use mass transit

As it awaits a full count of its population through the U.S. Census, Kane County is already well into investigating its transportation needs for the next 30 years.

With nothing but growth expected on the horizon, the county is particularly interested in what it must do to get residents more interested in using public transportation. The county hosted a forum Thursday afternoon to get some feedback about why residents don't use PACE buses and Metra trains more. However, the event was largely overshadowed and dwarfed in attendance by the Tea Party rally occurring just outside. At least in the early going, there were more county transportation officials than actual members of the public providing any feedback.

That said, staff indicated the county plans to wrap up the feedback portion of the transit plan by late summer or early fall. What will follow in phase two is a financial plan for how to actually bring any improvements to life and rally public support.

The needs that are already clear include:

• more bridge crossings over the Fox River

• rapid bus service along Randall Road

• more east/west transportation connections between Burlington and Hampshire and Hampshire and Huntley

• transportation options that will provide access among the suburban counties, such as Kane County to DuPage County and out to Will County

• increased transportation access into and out of the major population centers such as Elgin and Aurora

More information about the 2040 transit plan and a chance to weigh-in on what improvements are needed can be found at: http://www.co.kane.il.us/dot/default.aspx