Quad Cities MetroLINK - Mass Transit Serving Rock Island County Metropolitan, Moline, East Moline, Milan, Silvis, Carbon Cliff, Hampton, and Colona

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Our History

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The Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District was created in November of 1970 for the purpose of putting new life and new sources of funds into the transit system. In 1983, the Quad City Transit Facility was built in Rock Island, Illinois, which now accommodates both MetroLINK and Davenport CitiBus vehicles. In addition, the Quad City Garage Policy Group is located in the facility to maintain both fleets of vehicles. In 1988, a public contest was held to rename the transit system to replace its prior acronym RICMMTD and to increase name recognition. The winner was MetroLINK. In 2008, MetroLINK branded their fixed route bus system to simply be called “Metro.”

MetroLINK is a multi-city public transit system serving the Illinois Quad Cities Metropolitan area, which includes East Moline, Moline, Rock Island, Milan, Silvis, Hampton, Carbon Cliff and Colona. MetroLINK employs over 125 people and touches thousands of lives each day by offering reliable, safe, and courteous public transportation to Illinois Quad Citians. The Metro fleet consists of sixty (60) transit coaches (Thirty two (32) operate off Compressed Natural Gas) and operates traditional fixed route bus service over 12 routes Monday through Sunday. 3.2 million rides happen each year on a Metro bus. Bus routes connect seamlessly through the Illinois Quad Cities to offer a better quality of life for our community. MetroLINK buses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with bike racks designed to carry two bikes.

MetroLINK’s fixed route service (Metro), operating under 20, 30 or 60-minute headways, runs seven days a week and serves most major residential, retail, and commercial activity centers. Additional services are offered during peak times along with commuter services to selected outlying employment centers. Fixed route service runs Monday through Friday from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with partial service extending to 9:45 PM; Saturday fixed route service operating from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM; and five Sunday routes operating from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday subscription service operates from 5:00 AM to 7:30 AM and evening demand response available from Monday through Friday from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and on Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. No service is provided on major holidays. The adult base fare is $1.00 with special .50-cent reduced fares available for children and students. Monthly passes can be purchased for $30. In addition to the Metro bus service, MetroLINK offers additional transportation services, serving as the agent for Greyhound and Burlington Trailways, providing paratransit services and transportation for the ARC of Rock Island County, and operating the Channel Cat Water Taxis.

MetroLINK’s Paratransit service was initiated in December 1, 1992. Paratransit is public transportation offered to people functionally unable to use MetroLINK’s metropolitan bus service. Service provided is “curb to curb” and is limited to locations within ¾ mile of fixed route service. Eligibility is determined from a “Partransit Eligibility Certification Form” completed and returned to MetroLINK for review. Service is provided Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Saturday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A one-way trip is $1.60.

In the year 1998, MetroLINK took over operation of the Channel Cat Water Taxi. The Channel Cat runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Two water taxis travel via the Mississippi River to five locations in Moline and East Moline, Illinois and Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa. Stops are made at Ben Butterworth Parkway at Celebration Belle Pier in Moline, The Quarter in East Moline, Bettendorf Landing in Bettendorf, Village of East Davenport Landing in Davenport and John Deere Commons Landing in Moline. Prices are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 2-10. Children under age 2, accompanied by an adult ride free.

On May 4, 1998, Centre Station was introduced. Centre Station serves as the transportation hub for Metro’s metropolitan bus services where seven Metro routes connect. Centre Station is also the ticket outlet for MetroLINK services including the Channel Cat Water Taxi and Greyhound/Burlington Trailways. Centre Station, a partnership between MetroLINK and the City of Moline, encompasses a fully enclosed 12,000 square foot terminal and an attached 305-space parking garage. The building houses a MetroLINK operated gift shop and two Rock Island Sheriff’s Deputies. High profile, proactive and accessible officers are based at Centre Station to ensure the safety and security of Metro customers, employees and communities served. The Centre Station Lobby includes a community meeting room, a banquet facility and a rotating art display. The Mid Coast Fine Arts Centre Station Gallery features are by local emerging professional artist and represents a new leap into the cultural arena for the local emerging professional artist and a new leap into the cultural arena for the local mass transit district. In 2009, Centre Station was named the approved site for the proposed Amtrak station.

In 2006 MetroLINK constructed a 4,500 square foot facility in East Moline to connect the east end Metro bus routes. Passengers and transit operators enjoy a covered waiting area with additional conveniences including restrooms and lighting and security enhancements. A public display shows passengers real time information as they wait for their bus. The public display is part of a larger technology system, called INIT, which allows Metro to track buses via GPS, provide online trip planning and capture planning data.

The building features a state-of-the-art training facility with space accommodating up to 40 people. Wireless connections, individual work areas with high-speed Internet connection, video conferencing, video and LCD projections, live presentations, and white board with print capability complete this high-class facility. MetroLINK included a high tech training room as part of the project to serve their training needs. MetroLINK, which has one of the best training programs among transit districts in the nation, provides training year long for operators and administrative staff. A kitchenette, office, and restrooms complete the interior space of the building. East Pointe and all its amenities is available to community groups and businesses for their staff needs.

MetroLINK’s commitment to sustainability was further enhanced in 2002 with the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas Buses. As of 2010, Metro’s fixed route fleet includes 32 Compressed Natural Gas buses.

MetroLINK’s commitment as a “green” organization is showcased with a “Save Something Green” marketing campaign. The new logo, message, and website features how to ride tutorials and trip planning guides, as well as communicating to the public the importance of using transit to reduce one’s carbon footprint. The campaign launched in 2008 and has garnered successful media attention in local media outlets, including a positive editorial in the Quad City Times commending Metro for their commitment to being green.