MCT Announces January 2026 Service and Fare Adjustments

Changes include route realignments, expanded MicroTransit, later evening service, and simplified fares.

Amanda Villocco Smith

Dec 28, 2025 8:15 AM

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PONTOON BEACH – As part of its regular January Service Change, Madison County Transit (MCT) will implement a series of service adjustments as well as a fare reduction for trips to and from St. Clair County. These changes are designed to match service with ridership patterns, expand flexible MicroTransit options, and simplify fares. Service changes will take effect on Sunday, January 11, 2026, while a new $1.00 fare for St. Clair County trips will begin on Thursday, January 1, 2026.

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“These changes allow us to meet the needs of our passengers in an efficient and responsible manner,” said MCT Managing Director, SJ Morrison. “By shifting low-ridership segments to MicroTransit, extending evening service, and reducing the fare to St. Clair County, we’re making the system easier to use and responding to the changing demands of our residents and communities.”

Alton/Godfrey Area: #10 Schedule Adjustment
The schedule for the #10 will be adjusted in response to a multi-year construction project on the Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) campus. MCT buses will be rerouted and schedules updated to better serve LCCC students and to improve connections in the area. Passengers should review the new timetable carefully, as trip times will differ from the current schedule.

Bethalto Area: #12 Eliminated, MCT Micro Service

The #12 Bethalto Shuttle will be discontinued and passengers encouraged to use the MCT Micro – Bethalto | Cottage Hills, which already operates in the community and offers curb-to-curb, on-demand service within the zone. The MicroTransit zone includes Bethalto, Cottage Hills, Rosewood Heights, Wood River Walmart, Riverbend Family Ministries, and the MCT Wood River Station.

Collinsville Area: #21 Realignment

In Collinsville, MCT will remove service along Main Street between Collinsville Station and IL-157 on the #21 West Collinsville Shuttle due to low ridership on that segment. Riders in this corridor will continue to be served by MCT Micro – Collinsville, which provides on-demand trips within the Collinsville zone.

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Tri-Cities Area: Later Evening Service on #2

To improve evening mobility in the Granite City, Madison, and Venice, trips on the #2 Granite City Shuttle will be extended to approximately 7:40 p.m. This change will provide more options for riders needing evening trips, including those traveling to Granite City Overnight Warming Location on Mockingbird Lane.

St. Clair County: Simplified Fares

MCT will also reduce and simplify fares for riders traveling to and from St. Clair County. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, all MCT fares to or from St. Clair County on the following routes will be charged the $1.00 Local fare, instead of the current $3.00 fare:

#5 Tri-City Regional
#18 Collinsville Regional
#20X GCC Express (renamed the #20 GCC-Emerson Park with the January Service Change)

These changes will align MCT’s fare with Metro Transit’s $1.00 bus fare and create a more seamless experience for passengers transferring between the two systems.

Route Renaming: #13X and #20X
To better align with MCT’s definitions of Local and Express service, the current #13X Highland–SIUE Express will be renamed as the #14 Highland-SIUE and the #20X GCC Express will be renamed the #20 GCC-Emerson Park with the January 11, 2026 Service Change. This update clarifies that the route is a local service, not an express route to downtown St. Louis, and therefore is not subject to the $3.00 Express fare that applies to express trips traveling to and from downtown St. Louis.

For more information about MCT MicroTransit zones, hours, or how to book a trip, riders can visit MCT.org/micro or download the MCT Micro app in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Timetables and maps for the January 2026 Service Change are available at MCT.org/bus-schedules. Paper timetables will be available at MCT stations and on MCT buses.

For questions email info@mct.org, call 618-797-INFO (4636), or online at MCT.org

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