Redesigned bus network changing the travel game in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Public Transportation Corporation (Transpo) in partnership with the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) and the Interurban Trolley implemented redesigned bus networks on Monday.

The changes, called the Short-Term Network, are part of a 10-year plan to improve transit services across the region, stemming from an almost two-year research and public input period that resulted in the CONNECT Transit Plan.

The next part of the process is called the Additional Funding Network, which requires more funding before it can be implemented.

In the meantime, the Short-Term Network is changing routes to improve service to major city spots throughout South Bend and Mishawaka, as well as improving the service between South Bend, Mishawaka and Elkhart, while staying budget friendly.

“Number one… more efficient in getting to our different stops, but also makes it more convenient when you sit and map out your plan from say your home to let’s say the mall… now you have a schedule that will be on time, in addition now it’s… less transfers in between busses,” said Transpo interim CEO/ general manager, Chris Kubaszak.

For some bus regulars, however, the switch since Mon. has been a bumpy ride. One South Bend resident, Eric, said he relies on the bus, but didn’t hear about the changes at the start of the week.

“I work out on Cleveland Road… the busses don’t go there in the morning, so I have to take a Lyft there, but I catch a bus back from work… 5 days a week because they don’t run on the weekend… as a matter of fact I didn’t know it changed and I had to wait at the bus stop for about an hour before I figured it out,” said Eric.

Transpo posted about the changes on social media and its website leading up to, and after they were implemented, but Eric said not everyone who takes public transportation has access to the internet for those updates or knew to check for them. One bus driver, Tammy Mansfield suggested more ways to let people know.

“I think with the new routes they need to get more information out there to the public and possibly have people here at the stations showing people… the new routes and schedules… and maybe just putting more out… at the library… getting the word out,” said Mansfield.

To learn more about the CONNECT Transit Plan, or to check out the new routes and schedules, click here.