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Thorne To Become Permanent Head of Connect Transit

Charlie Schlenker
/
WGLT
Connect Transit's Isaac Thorne spoke during a grant award ceremony for electric buses earlier this week.

Connect Transit plans to hire its interim general manager as its next general manager.

Isaac Thorne replaced former manager Andrew Johnson, who resigned in March for another position in Champaign.

Thorne's hiring was laid out in a contract agreement included in the packet for the next Connect Transit board meeting on Tuesday.

"It became apparent working with Isaac over the few months while he was interim that he was entirely capable of doing the job," said Connect Transit Board Chair Mike McCurdy, who is also program director at GLT.

The board has a full task list for Thorne after he is made permanent head of the bus system.

"He will focus on making sure there are ADA-compliant bus stops with shelters across the community, bringing more frequent service to busy routes, and examining fare restructuring," said McCurdy.

Connect Transit is also exploring a potentially huge venture with the city of Bloomington.

"We're knee deep in the concept being discussed by the Bloomington Downtown Task Force for a potential library, transfer center, and parking facility," said McCurdy.

The contract indicates Thorne will be paid $125,000 per year and a retirement contribution of 10 percent of his base salary.

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WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
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