New Microtransit Ridesharing Service Announced for the Village of Milan

MetroLINK has announced the launch of a new on-demand Microtransit service for the Village of Milan. Similar to ride-hailing services, Microtransit uses a smartphone app for riders to schedule customized trips. The wheelchair accessible van..

MetroLINK wins 2019 APTA Safety and Security Gold Award

MetroLINK wishes to thank its entire team of operators, mechanics, and administrative staff for their hard work and dedication in developing a program that enhances the overall safety of the public transit system.  A short video announcing the aw...

Electric Bus Program

MetroLINK is pleased to announce the addition of five new Proterra battery electric buses to their Metro fleet, bringing the total of battery electric buses to eight.

Miller Lite Helps New Year's Eve Partygoers Celebrate Responsibly with Free Rides on MetroLINK

Rock Island, Illinois (December 31, 2018) – For the first year, the Original Light Beer is proud to partner with Metroand Euclid Beverage to encourage the Quad Cities community to Celebrate Responsibly® on New Year’s Eve. Miller Lite Free Rides® ...

New STRETCH commuter bus in Quad Cities Area

(KWQC-12/04/2018)-"There is a new transit commuter system in the Quad Cities that should help alleviate some of the congestion on the I-74 and Centennial Bridges due to construction.

Channel Cat Closed for Season Due to River Conditions

(10/10/2018 - Our Quad Cities) The Channel Cat was supposed to wrap up its services for the year this weekend.However, managers decided to end the season early out of safety concerns.

Metro unveiling new electric buses Monday in Moline

Dispatch-Argus (4-13-18): "MetroLINK will debut Illinois’ first public transit Proterra battery-electric bus fleet at 2 p.m. Monday in the J.C. Penney parking lot at SouthPark Mall in Moline."

MetroLINK awarded $3.16 M for electric buses, charging stations

Dispatch (4-6-18) "MetroLINK will receive $3,165,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bus and Bus Infrastructure Program to buy electric buses, charging stations and passenger shelters."

App allows QC riders to track public buses in real time

WQAD - 2/5/18 - "An app launched in the Quad Cities allows public transportation riders to track their buses in real time..."

Celebrate Safely with Metro on New Year's Eve

MetroLINK is pleased to announce the availability of free late-night Metro service on Sunday, December 31, 2017 to accommodate New Year’s Eve festivities in the Illinois Quad Cities. The free service will include two buses operating a Route 10 E...

QC Rideshare Portal

On December 8, 2017, Bi-State Regional Commission and QC public transit agencies, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation will launch a regional rideshare portal called QC Rideshare (https://www.iowarideshare.org/Public/Home.aspx?CustomS...

District Station Achieves LEED Gold Status

The Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District has announced that their Metro downtown Rock Island, IL District Station has achieved LEED Gold status for sustainability achievement.  The Station incorporates a number of sustainable ele...

QC Transit Systems Offering Free Fixed-Route Transit Rides for Veterans Day on Saturday, 11/11/17

Join the three QC transit systems as we pay tribute to all of the men and women who have served our country on Veterans Day. In honor and appreciation of their service, Metro, Bettendorf Transit, and Davenport CitiBus will offer free fixed-route transit r...

QC Marathon is much more than a 26.2-miler

(Dispatch - 9/21/17) "The 26.2-mile run gets all of the attention as the namesake race at the Quad Cities Marathon. However, there is so much more to do this weekend at the 20th annual Triumph Community Bank-sponsored event."

Channel Cat Water Taxi to Run on Labor Day, Weekends Only After

Labor Day, September 4th, is the last weekday you can catch the Channel Cat Water Taxi for the season. Boats will operate 9 am - 7:30 pm. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 2-10 for all-day, unlimited use on the day of purchase. Check out ...

New app aids Davenport bus riders

(Dispatch - 7/31/17) - A free app is now available for Davenport CitiBus passengers to track their rides on smartphones in real time.

Floodwaters force Channel Cat to alter route

(QC Times - 7/24/17) The Channel Cat river taxi is making the following adjustments because of high water on the Mississippi River.

John Deere Commons dock reopens for Channel Cat

(KWQC - 7/28/17) With the Mississippi River back in its banks, the John Deere Commons dock has reopened for Channel Cat passengers.

Moline Township Bus Ticket Program

Moline Township is continuing their bus ticket program for a second year. The program helps low income families with transportation to get their children to and from school.

MetroLINK Announces Route Improvements

(QC Times - 7/7/17) - MetroLINK, transit system serving the Illinois Quad-Cities, recently announced it has improved transit routes in East Moline, Silvis, Carbon Cliff and Colona with changes taking effect Monday.

How Channel Cat's New Mobile Tickets Will Help You Save Money This Season

(5/25/17 - WQAD) " The Channel Cat begins its 2017 season on Friday, May 26th at 9am, but on Thursday, May 25th, WQAD News 8 got to take the first ride as part of our weekly "Breakfast With..." segment on Good Morning Quad Cities."

Channel Cat eyes new ridership record this year

(Dispatch - 5/7/17) Preparations are underway for this year's Channel Cat Water Taxi season to launch later this month.

"Your Bike is Your Fare" May 15-19

Bettendorf Transit, Davenport CitiBus, and Metro are pleased to join forces again this year in support of QC cyclists by offering free rides to those who choose to “bike and bus” during Bike to Work Week, May 15 – 19, 2017.

Bi...

MetroLINK Launches TransLoc Rider App to Provide Real-time Transit Information

March 7, 2017 – MetroLINK announced today its partnership with nationally recognized transportation technology provider TransLoc to provide state-of-the-art transit technology tools to local Metro bus system riders. The TransLoc Rider app is now...

Officials expect The Q to be ready in May

Dispatch - 2/24/2017 - The project, also known as the Quad-Cities multi-modal passenger rail station and business development, is downtown just south of MetroLINK's Centre Station.

Celebrate Safely with Metro on New Year's Eve

(Dispatch - 12/27/16) MetroLINK is pleased to announce the availability of late-night Metro service on Saturday, December 31, 2016 to accommodate New Year’s Eve festivities in the Illinois Quad Cities.

Special MetroLINK New Year's Eve Service Planned

(12/27/16 - WQAD) New Year’s Eve revelers will be able to take advantage of a special late night service from MetroLINK in the Illinois Quad-Cities on Dec. 31.

Mr. Thanksgiving is back for 46th year

(1/2/17-QC Times) Bob Vogelbaugh, aka "Mr. Thanksgiving," is hosting his 46th annual community dinner from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 24 at the SouthPark Mall in Moline.

MetroLINK Getting a Dozen New Buses to Keep Fleet Young

Dispatch (10/7/16): "Pay $1. Get to ride in a $450,000 brand-spanking-new vehicle. MetroLINK is spending $5 million to put a dozen new buses on the road, according to administration manager Jennifer Garrity."

MetroLINK Announces the End of the Channel Cat Water Taxi Season

This weekend will be the last weekend until 2017 to catch a ride on the Channel Cat Water Taxi. The seasonal service will end on Sunday.

The Channel Cat will operate a modified schedule Saturday and Sunday as follows: 11:10 am - 6:10 pm.

The Chan...Read on...

Rock Island County deputies train to handle gunman on MetroLINK bus

WQAD (9/21/16): On 9/21/16, deputies with the Rock Island County Emergency Services Team conducted an active shooter drill on board a MetroLINK bus.

MetroLINK Gets $391G Federal Grant to Help Buy $460G Bus

Dispatch Argus (9/8/16): "A $391,000 federal grant will cover 80 percent of the cost for one new bus to be added to the fleet of the Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK)."

An Inside Peak at What Will Become the Q

Dispatch Argus (8/30/16): The O'Rourke building is empty now, still heavy with the feel of its warehouse past, but proponents of The Q on Tuesday detailed the destination they want it to become.

Battery-Electric Proterra Buses Usher Illinois Quad Cities Closer to Zero-Emission Future

MOLINE, Ill., August 26, 2016 – Proterra, the leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation, today announced that the Illinois Quad Cities’ MetroLINK transit organization, is going forward with the purchase of two 40-foot Proterra XR electric bu...Read on...

Battery-Powered Bus to Join MetroLINK Fleet

QC Times (8/26/16): Friday morning, MetroLINK and Proterra offered a sneak peek at MetroLINK’s latest environmentally friendly addition to the agency's sustainable fleet: a 100 percent battery-operated electric bus.

The Q Opening Expected in May

Dispatch Argus (8/9/16): "The Q" will be opening a few months later than initially expected — some time in May

Channel Cat Opens Riverbend Commons

QC Times Article (7/22/2016)
"MetroLINK celebrated the opening of its new Channel Cat landing in Moline on Friday."

Upgraded Channel Cat Landing Now in Service

Dispatch-Argus Article (7/22/16) "A new landing for the Channel Cat water taxi upgrades the service and creates a new "gateway" to the Moline riverfront."

Joslin bus route leads to opportunity

QC Times Article (7/11/2016)
"His head resting in tattooed arms, Lamont Swift dozed off while the bus wheels rolled beneath him."

MetroLink gets new system to secure wheelchairs

Dispatch - Quad-Cities transit service MetroLINK will be testing a new system to secure wheelchair customers on bus rides, administration manager Jennifer Garrity said Monday.

Channel Cat serves as taxi, sightseeing adventure

QC Times Article (7/10/2016)
"Passengers who hailed from North Carolina to Otley, Iowa, and places in between enjoyed a cool, and sometimes damp, ride Sunday on the bi-state Channel Cat Water Taxi."

Efforts Unite Neighbors in Floreciente

QC Times (6/18/16): "MetroLINK's request for land for a new bus stop was matched up with an available location in front of the Boys & Girls Club Administration Building."

Area leaders hail renewed rail commitment

Dispatch-Argus Article (6/23/2016)
"Quad-Cities mayors and state representatives gathered Thursday to hail Illinois' renewed commitment to the Chicago to Quad-Cities passenger rail line, although the project remains tangled in the state's budget impasse."

“Channel Cat” Passenger Ferryboat Service Announces New Mobile Ticketing App

Mass Transit Magazine (6/2/2016)
"The Channel Cat Water Taxi, a passenger ferry service run by MetroLINK (Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District), recently announced the launch of their new account-based mobile ticketing app."

Channel Cat water taxi brings changes to its summer 2016 season

Dispatch-Argus (5/26/2016)
"The Quad-Cities MetroLINK Channel Cat water taxi begins its 2016 season today, introducing a smartphone app, new dock and a "Ride & Save" discount program."

MetroLINK Expands Its Mobile App Technology

APTA Passenger Transport (May 2016): "MetroLINK recently partnered with TransLoc to expand its mobile app technology.

The Loop bus service discontinued

Dispatch-Argus Article (04/25/2016)
"A Loop bus fleet has ceased taking passengers to Moline, Rock Island, Davenport and Bettendorf downtowns, ending a five-year run."

Rep. Bustos Stopped by MetroLINK in Rock Island,Talks Federal Funding

WQAD (3/9/16): "US Congresswoman Cheri Bustos was in Rock Island Wednesday, March 9 touring the MetroLink's self sufficient maintenance facility."

Moline moves forward on the 'Q' Station

QC Times Article (02/02/2016)
"The city of Moline is moving forward with its big projects, all the while operating not only within the budget, but expecting an income surplus."

Metro Mega Stop creates new front door for SouthPark

QC Times Article (12/7/2015)
The reinvention of SouthPark Mall rolled on Monday as MetroLINK opened a new Metro Mega Stop to provide bus riders with better access to the Moline site.

New Mega Stop open at SouthPark

Dispatch - Argus Article (12/04/2015)
"MetroLink has launched service from its newly constructed Mega Stop at SouthPark Mall, 4500 16th St., Moline."

2015 APTA AdWheel Grand Award and First-Place Winners

The annual AdWheel Grand Awards award transit systems for categories in marketing and communications. MetroLINK was a first place winner for "Advertisement-Advocacy/Awareness" (for the "Transit Moves the Quad Cities Forward" campaign)....Read on...

MetroLINK announces the end of the Channel Cat Water Taxi season

Dispatch-Argus Article (10/15/2015)
"The Channel Cat Water Taxi has ended operations for the 2015 season. "

Moline: Western, new bridge, train station will drive more changes

QC Times Article (9/27/2015) - "When Janet Mathis, president and chief executive officer of Renew Moline talks about "what's next" for Moline, she cites three factors that will bring significant change..."

Record Breaking Year for the Channel Cat Water Taxi

KWQC Article (9/08/2015)
"The Channel Cat Water Taxi ended its regularly scheduled season over the Labor Day weekend, reporting a record ridership for 2015, so far of nearly 40,000 passengers."