Public hearing for transportation funding and services in 17 counties.

Rides Mass Transit District

Public Notice

a) Rides Mass Transit District is a general public transportation provider receiving Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 funding. Section 5323 (a) (1) of the Federal Mass Transit Act of 1964, as amended, requires that FTA projects to the maximum extent feasible provide for the participation of private mass transportation companies. Private mass transportation companies operating within the Rides 17-county service area wishing to be considered for inclusion in the FY27 service plan should provide a written statement containing: 

1. Name and address of mass transportation entity 
2. Principal owners and/or officers, phone contact 
3. Current service area, operating hours 
4. Number of vehicles and ADA status 

Interested parties would be required to comply with FTA requirements and allow service and safety audits by Rides Mass Transit District. 

b) Rides Mass Transit District does not provide incidental charter service. Trip requests for this type of service are referred to willing and able private charter operators. Private charter operators interested in receiving such referrals should submit contact information or connect to FTA resources at: 

https://ftawebprod.fta.dot.gov/CharterRegistration/Default.aspx?p=%2fcharterregistration%2f 

c) Rides Mass Transit District hereby gives public notice of its policy to uphold and assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and all related statutes. Title VI and related statutes prohibiting discrimination in Federally-assisted programs require that no person in the United States of America shall on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, sex, age, or disability be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to, discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. 

Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discretionary practice regarding RMTDs programs has the right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint must be in writing and submitted to the RMTD Title VI Coordinator within one hundred eighty, (180) days following the date of the alleged occurrence. For more information regarding the RMTD Title VI Plan it is available on our website, www.ridesmtd.com and its office locations. Information regarding civil rights complaints or submissions for both (a) & (b) items should be sent by March 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. to the attention and address at the end of this notice. 

Notice of Public Hearing

Rides Mass Transit District provides transportation in the following seventeen counties: Hardin, Pope, Saline, Gallatin, Williamson, White, Wabash, Hamilton, Wayne, Edwards, Richland, Lawrence, Jasper, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar and Clark. 
As a requirement of its funding, Rides Mass Transit District will afford an opportunity for interested persons or agencies to be heard with respect to the social, economic, and environmental aspects of the project. Interested persons may submit orally or in writing evidence and recommendations with respect to said projects. This may be done by phoning in advance at 618-253-8761, by US mail, by email at adam.lach@ridesmtd.com or by conference call during the times of the published hearings by dialing 618-215-3728 followed by entering Conference ID: 047053# at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Rides Mass Transit District requests that any hearing-impaired person wishing to attend this Public Hearing notify (618)-253-8761 before the scheduled hearing date so that arrangements can be made to provide an interpreter.
A copy of the application for Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 funding will be made available for public inspection at Rides Mass Transit District. 

Contact Person: Adam Lach, CEO
Rides Mass Transit District
1304 Frank Leberman Drive
Harrisburg, IL 62946
Telephone: 618-253-8761
Public Notice #5344 03/05/2026