University News
MetroLINK, Led by WIU Graduate, Named Outstanding System
September 20, 2012
MOLINE, IL – The Quad Cities MetroLINK transit system, directed by a Western Illinois University alumnus, which provides service to WIU students on the Quad Cities campuses, has been named the 2012 Outstanding Public Transportation System.
MetroLINK is managed by 1986 alumnus Jeff Nelson, who received his bachelor's degree in political science from Western in 1986. The award is given to transit agencies in North America who carry between one and four million passengers each year. In Fiscal Year 2011, MetroLINK carried 3.5 million passengers.
MetroLINK provides shuttle service for students to WIU's 60th Street campus from 2:45 – 9:30 p.m. Mondays – Thursdays during the fall and spring semesters. The line also provides shuttle service to the new Riverfront Campus Monday through Friday.
The University has partnered with MetroLINK to give WIU students unlimited access to the entire transit system by showing a student identification card.
Approximately 200 transit systems in the U.S. were eligible for the award. MetroLINK officials said the award represents the "best of the best" and is awarded annually by the American Public Transportation Association to three transportation systems who "have served as outstanding role models of excellence, leadership and innovation over a three-year period."
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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