Planning Effort Underway for Fixed PCAT Route System

FREEPORT, IL – The City of Freeport and Pretzel City Area Transit (PCAT) are launching a major planning initiative to evaluate the development of a fixed or deviated fixed-route public transit system within the City of Freeport. This initiative comes in response to increasing ridership demand within city limits and the community’s growing need for more reliable, predictable, and accessible transportation options.

PCAT currently operates a countywide demand-response service, providing more than 50,000 trips annually across Stephenson County. Over the past 200 days alone, more than 90% of all PCAT trips began and ended within Freeport, highlighting a concentrated need for efficient in-city transit service.

Planning Timeline

The City aims to finalize the route design and supporting policies by summer 2026, with the goal of implementing the new system on July 1, 2026.

County Service Will Remain Demand-Response

While the City evaluates a route-based system for Freeport, PCAT’s existing demand-response service throughout Stephenson County will continue unchanged. The goal of implementing a fixed or deviated fixed-route system in Freeport is to increase overall system efficiency, which in turn may allow PCAT to expand its capacity to better serve county residents living outside the city.

Transit Advisory Committee Formation

As part of the planning process, the City is establishing a Transit Advisory Committee made up of local stakeholders, service agencies, employers, and community partners. The committee will guide key decisions, including:

• Route design within the City of Freeport
• Determination of whether fixed or deviated fixed-route service is most appropriate
• Fare structure and related policy considerations

The committee will meet monthly from December 2025 through July 2026.

Public Participation Opportunities

To ensure the new system reflects the needs of Freeport residents, the City will host a series of public meetings and outreach sessions beginning in early 2026. These events will allow residents, riders, and local businesses to help identify transportation barriers, shape system design, and provide feedback on proposed routes and service options.

About PCAT

Pretzel City Area Transit is the public transportation provider for Stephenson County, operated through a partnership between the City of Freeport and the Stephenson County Senior Resource Center. PCAT provides accessible, affordable transit services to residents across both rural and urban areas of the county.

For more information, please contact Sadie Grande, Program Compliance and Oversight Monitor, at pcom@cityoffreeport.org, or at 815.396.3537.