DeKalb Transit to Test Expanded Route 19 Service Starting May 1

DEKALB — The City of DeKalb Public Transit Division will begin a service test on Route 19 on May 1, 2026, to evaluate demand for expanded bus service serving Northern Illinois University, downtown DeKalb, Park 88, Gurler Road, and portions of Taylor Street. The new supplemental Route 19B will operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the test period, while Route 19 will shift from 60 minute service to 30 minute service with the added runs. Transit officials said the change is intended to study whether higher frequency service is needed on the corridor. In a separate change, the city will adjust the last Route 12 Elburn Metra shuttle trip beginning May 1, with the final bus leaving NIU at Locust and Normal at 10:52 p.m. and departing the Elburn Metra station at 11:25 p.m. The DeKalb Public Transit Division oversees transit planning and funding for DeKalb, Sycamore, Cortland, and Northern Illinois University, with service operated by Transdev. The system recorded 1,088,518 passenger trips in 2025.