Shawnee MTD Awarded Grant to Enhance Five-county Transit Coverage

Funding will expand routes, launch Micro transit service, and extend paratransit hours in rural southern Illinois region.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Shawnee Mass Transit District in Vienna, Illinois is receiving a $100,000 grant to enhance public transportation services across a five-county region in the southernmost tip of the state. The funding will allow Shawnee MTD to expand routes, launch new Micro transit service, and extend paratransit service hours to better serve residents in this very rural area.

Why it matters

Improved public transit is crucial for connecting residents in this underserved, rural region to essential services, jobs, healthcare, and community resources. The grant funding will help address transportation gaps and improve access to key determinants of health and economic opportunity.

The details

The $100,000 grant is part of the Community Rides Grant program administered by the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM-TAC) in collaboration with the National Rural Technical Assistance Program. Shawnee MTD is one of five communities across the country receiving this funding, which is aimed at increasing access to employment, healthcare, education, food, and other vital services.

  • The grant funding was awarded in February 2026.

The players

Shawnee Mass Transit District

A public transportation provider serving a five-county region in the southernmost tip of Illinois.

Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM-TAC)

An organization that administers the Community Rides Grant program and provides technical assistance to communities to improve transportation access.

National Rural Technical Assistance Program

A program that collaborates with CCAM-TAC on the Community Rides Grant initiative to support transportation providers in rural areas.

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What’s next

Shawnee MTD will work closely with CCAM-TAC over the coming months to implement the service expansions and enhancements funded by the grant.

The takeaway

This grant will enable Shawnee MTD to significantly improve public transit access and connectivity for residents in this underserved, rural five-county region, helping to address critical gaps in transportation that impact access to jobs, healthcare, and other essential services.