Shawnee Mass Transit to offer free transportation in Vienna

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

VIENNA, Ill., (KBSI) – A Southern Illinois transit agency will begin offering free transportation within Vienna early next year as part of a pilot program aimed at reducing barriers to public transit use.

Shawnee Mass Transit District Executive Director Mike Pietrowski said the initiative — launching Jan. 6, 2026 — is the result of a partnership between the transit district and the City of Vienna. Pietrowski said he presented the idea to city leaders and was surprised by how quickly they supported it.

The pilot program will provide free rides for Vienna residents, with no income verification required. Riders can request transportation to work, medical appointments, grocery stores and other essential destinations. The service also includes door-to-door pickup and drop-off.

“Some of the feedback we received from riders was that cost was a barrier,” Pietrowski said. “By enabling people to ride for free, we’re hoping to get more people moving — getting them out of their homes and encouraging people who haven’t used our transportation before to start using it.”

Riders must schedule trips 24 hours in advance by calling the district’s 800 number. Regular routes operate Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each Thursday at 9 a.m., a dedicated route will take Vienna residents to the Walmart in Anna, allow 90 minutes for shopping and return riders home.

Pietrowski said the Vienna program will serve as a trial run before the agency considers expanding similar free-ride initiatives to other Southern Illinois communities.

“The main thing is to remove any kind of barriers from using public transportation,” he said. “While our transportation is $2 per ride or $30 for a monthly unlimited pass, some people just don’t have that money.”

For more information: Home – Shawnee Mass Transit District