DeKalb Public Transit has increased the number of trips to the Elburn Metra station while also expanding daily service to city business parks to 24 hours a day. (Chronicle Media file photo)

Employees now have access to round-the-clock bus service to large companies and more trips are being made to the Elburn Metra station under an expansion of bus service in DeKalb.

The increase of service provided by DeKalb Public Transit was approved by the City Council on Aug. 14. Under the service improvements, which went into effect on August 28, Route 19, which serves large employers in the Park 88 and the ChicagoWest Business Center, now runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mayor Cohen Barnes says this provides a public transit option for employees on all shifts at the growing number of companies locating in DeKalb.

“We’ve worked hard as a Council to be able to provide more opportunity for our residents in the City of DeKalb, and that opportunity is blowing up on the south side,” said Barnes. “There are so many wonderful, good paying jobs by world renowned companies.”

As service expanded, Route 19 was simplified with the elimination of the alternate 19E and 19S route patterns to provide consistent service times. The revised route incorporates most of the previous three patterns while eliminating little-used stops on Hillcrest Drive between Normal Road and First Street and a once-daily stop at Tyler Elementary School, which averaged less than a passenger per quarter.

Another enhancement has been made to Route 12.

Roundtrips to the Elburn Metra station have been increased from 10 to 13 on weekdays. It is the second increase in roundtrips in the past year as the City improves access to Metra service. Fares have also been lowered, and a free park-and-ride lot was created along East Locust Street near the historic train depot.

Route 12 has also been made more efficient with the elimination of the little-used stop in Cortland, which saw fewer than 30 passengers in the last year. As that stop was eliminated, dial-a-ride service started in Cortland and a portion of the southeast area of DeKalb.

Passengers in the dial-a-ride area can schedule a ride to anywhere in the dial-a-ride service area or transfer points at the Walmart store to access Routes 17, 18 and 21 and 10th and Market Street to access Routes 12 and 19.

There were no fare increases with the service expansion. The costs are funded through federal and state transit grants.

Details on the service enhancements, including routes, schedules and dial-a-ride information, can be found on the DeKalb Public Transit at www.cityofdekalb.com/1398/Rider-Alerts