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HB 3166

Relating to elections.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Evans and 3 co-sponsors

Creates IDOT's Intercity Bus Program to expand affordable travel across Illinois, coordinating bus/rail schedules and unified tickets to connect small towns and rural riders.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3166

HB 3166 — IDOT Intercity Bus Program (Summary)

Status: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
Introduced: Feb 18–21, 2025 (Rep. Martin J. Moylan, primary)
Statutory change: Adds 20 ILCS 2705/2705-442 to the Department of Transportation Law (Civil Administrative Code of Illinois)

Purpose

Require the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to create an intercity bus program to expand affordable, connected travel options across the State so people can reach any part of Illinois without driving. The program is intended to supplement passenger rail service and extend service to smaller communities.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new statutory section (20 ILCS 2705/2705-442) establishing an Intercity Bus Program under IDOT.
  • Planning and implementation goals: routes should
    • add missing frequencies to existing passenger rail routes;
    • provide frequent departures throughout the day that complement Amtrak service; and
    • incorporate smaller towns into the intercity network.
  • Schedule coordination: bus timetables must be coordinated with intercity and commuter trains to enable convenient connections.
  • Integrated ticketing:
    • passengers must be able to purchase a single ticket covering journeys that combine intercity buses and intercity trains; and
    • bus-only tickets must be purchasable from the same ticketing system used by intercity trains.
  • Implementation options (IDOT may use one or more):
    • contract directly with intercity bus carriers via competitive bids;
    • contract through Amtrak’s Thruway bus program; or
    • contract directly with a local transit authority within Illinois.

Who is affected

  • IDOT (responsible agency) — required to plan and implement the program.
  • Intercity bus carriers, Amtrak (including Thruway partners), and local transit authorities (potential contracting partners).
  • Travelers, especially rural and small-town residents, commuters, and rail passengers seeking improved connections.
  • Ticketing system operators (may need to integrate bus and rail sales).
  • State budget/funding stakeholders — the bill mandates program creation but does not specify funding sources or amounts.

Legislative/timeline notes

  • Filed Feb 2025; committee activity occurred March–May 2025 (assigned to Transportation committees; public hearing Apr 22, 2025; reported favorably as substituted May 12, 2025; committee report sent to Calendars May 14, 2025).
  • Current procedural status listed as Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee.

Implementation considerations

  • The bill mandates program creation but is silent on appropriation, operating subsidies, capital costs, and specific performance metrics; those details would determine scale and timeline.
  • Successful integrated ticketing likely requires technical agreements with Amtrak or third‑party ticketing providers.
  • Coordination with existing local transit services and commercial carriers will be important for rural coverage and schedule reliability.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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