I have been told the Chevrolet Braun should have been a 2018 Dodge Caravan. The cost wasn’t included, just this:
By: Diane Benjamin
Besides the 39 fixed route buses and 18 Mobility buses, Connect Transit owns other vehicles. I received this information by FOIA.
Fleet info: https://www.connect-transit.com/about/our_fleet.asp
The 4 vehicles they bought this year replaced 2 the July documentation claims are past their useful life – 5 years old. The other two replaced leased ELECTRIC vehicles because the lease expired.
Since they are buying electric buses and solar panels, why didn’t they buy electric cars? Was there a problem with the two they leased?
PDF page 93
https://www.connect-transit.com/documents/July%2023,%202019%20Board%20Packet%20FINAL.pdf
4 – 2019 Ford Taurus – 8/28/19 $23,980 each $95,920 Greenfield
These were purchased through the State of Illinois Vehicle contract. They expected to pay $99,920. In October they wrote these checks: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YuC2aXtKG7e4yMXB4TMhE0LIo1pFBund/view
Other vehicles:
1 Chevrolet Braun van (I asked for more info, I will add it if I get it)
1 – 2017 Ford Taurus 1/11/17 $20,139 Greenville
2 – 2016 Ford Taurus 10/13/2016 $18,185 each $36.370 Springfield
1 – 2014 Ford F250 9/19/2013 $30,986 Missouri
1 – 2005 Ford Ranger 5/11/05 $13,340 Decatur
1 – 2013 Chevy Malibu 4/4/2013 $24 989 Decatur
Total $221,744
(without the Braun)
I also asked for a list of employees authorized to drive these vehicles, this was the response:
This is not every employee, I don’t know how many they employ.
I see conect transit vehicles parked in driveways for extended periods of time frequently. Are these for personal use?
According to what I received they shouldn’t be!
Send me addresses.
I see one name on the list that was employed full-time by the City in Public Works and retired about four years ago. Hope the person is not working over 1,000 hours a year and entitled to more IMRF retirement benefits.
Public Employees never “double-dip”. right?
Are you kidding? You must not know about 3 pension Charlie. He just retired AGAIN and receives 3 pensions.
If you are in with the in crowd, double dipping is an ordinary part of your life.
I saw it frequently at all levels, often on a contract basis.
If you are collecting a government pension while employed by a government
entity you should not be collecting twice at the expense of taxpayers.
jim h
You and I know that, government exists for government employees – not citizens. This is just more proof.
The 10 New Flyer Model: D40LF were purchased from C-U MTD I believe. why not buy more used buses instead of buying expensive new buses?
Because they don’t have to, government grants!