University News
New Podcast Highlights Rural Transit Successes
April 16, 2026
MACOMB, IL - -The Rural Transit Assistance Center (RTAC), housed within Western Illinois University's Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs and made possible with support from the Illinois Department of Transportation, has launched Rolling Rural: A Rural Transit Assistance Center Podcast, a new initiative highlighting successes in rural transit. The podcast aims to increase awareness of the importance of public transportation in rural communities while amplifying the voices of professionals working to improve rural transit systems.
This initiative focuses on engaging rural transit leaders across Illinois to better understand their experiences, challenges and needs related to rural transportation. By sharing these perspectives, the podcast emphasizes the critical role rural transit plays in connecting individuals to employment, healthcare, education and essential services.
Rolling Rural features conversations with transit leaders from across the state, showcasing their work, the obstacles they encounter and the innovative solutions they are implementing to improve access and mobility in their communities.
The podcast is available in both video and audio formats. Episodes can be viewed on YouTube, while audio versions are accessible on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio. New episodes will be released monthly.
For additional rural transit resources, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the RTAC website at iira.org/rtac/.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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