CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. — Of the three educational bus trips to Midwestern towns organized by Columbia, Mo. city officials, a visit to the University of Illinois showed the largest disparity between the city of Columbia’s bus system, which serves Missouri University and other school systems, Missourian reported.
About 11% of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District’s (MTD) budget comes from a student fee and University of Illinois administrative contributions. MTD had a $27 million operating budget in fiscal 2011. Maintenance, capital and administrative costs pushed its total budget to more than $36 million. Columbia Transit’s operating budget is about $4.8 million. For the full story, click here.