Show Bus

What Show Bus does

SHOW BUS Public Transportation NFP is a not-for-profit public transportation provider serving rural central Illinois since 1979. The organization delivers scheduled fixed-route service, door-to-door demand-response transit, and non-emergency medical transportation across nine counties (DeWitt, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Mason, and McLean), utilizing an ADA-accessible fleet equipped with wheelchair lifts and ramps. Core technology is operationally focused rather than digitally differentiated: phone-based reservations via trained transportation assistants, county-level route scheduling, and integration partnerships with intercity carriers (Amtrak, Greyhound, Burlington Trailways, Megabus, Peoria Charter) and Connect Transit for first-mile/last-mile connections.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining passenger fares ($2-$7 per ride, with senior and Medicaid discounts), government transportation contracts (Illinois Department of Transportation via Federal Transit Act and Downstate Operating Assistance Program), Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation coordinated through First Transit, service contracts with partner agencies, and community funding (United Way, civic groups, donations). The customer base spans rural residents of all ages and incomes, with prioritized segments including seniors (60+), persons with disabilities, Medicaid beneficiaries, and partner organizations. Title VI compliance establishes federal civil rights obligations as a condition of federal funding.

The organization faces a significant operational contraction effective June 30, 2025, when it will cease service in DeWitt, Ford, Macon, McLean, Livingston, and Iroquois counties, retaining only Kankakee (rural), Logan, and Mason counties. Funding interruption from IDOT has already suspended the Livingston-McLean County Intercity Service, and a driver shortage is causing route interruptions across multiple counties. Leadership consists of Director Laura Dick, with the organization governed by a volunteer board and advised by county-level transportation committees. The operational model is inherently labor-intensive with modest digital infrastructure, positioning SHOW BUS as a community-embedded public utility rather than a technology-driven enterprise.

Name

Show Bus

Legal name

SHOW BUS Public Transportation NFP

Website

https://showbusonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SHOW BUS Public Transportation NFP is a not-for-profit rural public transit provider serving residents of central Illinois counties via scheduled routes, demand-response service, and non-emergency medical transport, operating an ADA-accessible fleet since 1979 but contracting its service area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Public Transportation

NAICS

Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (48599), Special Needs Transportation (485991), Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (48521)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Community / Nonprofit Public Transit Bus Operators (TLAFAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Paratransit / ADA Complementary Bus Operators (TLAFAGAI), ADA/Accessible Paratransit (Complementary to Fixed-Route Transit) (THAIAHAA), Park-and-Ride / Express Commuter Bus Operators (TLAFAGAF)

Keywords

• Rural public transit
• Demand response transit
• ADA-accessible transit
• Non-emergency medical transport
• Intercity bus connections

Headquarters

HQ city

Chenoa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Passenger Fares: Fare-based revenue from riders using scheduled routes, intercity services, and special services. Fares vary by county and service type, ranging from $2.00 to $7.00 for scheduled services. Senior discounts available (suggested donation for 60+).
2. Government Transportation Contracts: Contracts with Illinois Department of Transportation (Federal Transit Act) and Downstate Operating Assistance Program for providing public transit services in rural central Illinois.
3. Service Contracts with Organizations: Flexible service contracts with employers, agencies, and organizations requiring transportation for employees or clients. Contracts can provide all transportation, supplemental transportation, or discounted rates.
4. Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation: Transportation services for Medicaid beneficiaries with prior approval at no charge to the recipient. Coordination with First Transit for Medicaid logistics.
5. Community Funding and Donations: Funding from United Way, community funds, churches, civic groups, businesses, individuals, and passenger donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SHOW BUS is a Not-For-Profit public transportation provider that operates scheduled bus routes, door-to-door demand-response service, and intercity connections across nine rural counties in central Illinois (DeWitt, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Mason, and McLean). All vehicles are ADA-accessible with wheelchair lifts or ramps, and the company coordinates non-emergency medical transportation for Medicaid beneficiaries through First Transit. The organization is funded primarily through the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Downstate Operating Assistance Program, and community contributions.

Product overview

SHOW BUS is a public transportation service provider offering a portfolio of county-based and intercity transportation services across rural central Illinois. The core offering consists of Scheduled Routes organized by county (DeWitt, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Mason, and McLean), supplemented by Specialized Route Services including Route 24 Limited Stop Service, Lincoln Limited Stop Service, Pontiac Limited Stop Service, Watseka Limited Stop Service, and Kankakee-Momence Limited Stop Service. The company also provides Non-Emergency Medical and Medicaid Transportation coordinated through First Transit, a Voucher Program for non-profit organizations serving individuals with mobility obstacles, and the Livingston-McLean County Intercity Service (currently suspended) which connects to regional carriers including Amtrak, Greyhound, and Burlington Trailways. All services are accessible to all residents regardless of age or income level, with vehicles equipped with wheelchair lifts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Scheduled County Routes Fixed-schedule public transportation routes organized by county across DeWitt, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Mason, and McLean counties. Each route has specific pickup and dropoff locations and serves residents for medical appointments, grocery shopping, work commutes, and general mobility needs.
• Limited Stop City Transit Hourly fixed-route service operating within cities including Pontiac, Lincoln, Watseka, and the Kankakee-Momence corridor, covering residential areas, medical facilities, government buildings, and retail locations. Standard fare is $2.00–$4.00 per ride.
• Door-to-Door Demand-Response Service Reservation-based pickup and dropoff service for riders in defined geographic areas who cannot use fixed-route stops. Riders arrange trips in advance for medical appointments, errands, and other essential travel.
• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Transportation for hospital discharges, emergency room discharges, and medical appointments. Medicaid beneficiaries receive the service at no charge with prior approval, coordinated through First Transit at 1-877-725-0569.
• Special Service Routes Custom transportation routes created for specific community transportation needs that fall outside of scheduled route coverage. Available on a limited basis to meet individual transportation requirements.
• Voucher Program for Non-Profits Reimbursement program for non-profit organizations that assist individuals with difficult mobility obstacles, including funding for trained professional assistance during transportation.
• Livingston-McLean County Intercity Service Intercity bus route connecting Pontiac to Bloomington/Normal along Route 66 with central pickup locations and connections to Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Peoria Charter, and Megabus. Currently suspended due to a funding interruption from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
• Agency Service Contracts Flexible transportation service contracts with employers, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and non-profit organizations that need transportation for their employees or clients. Contracts can provide all transportation, supplemental transportation, or discounted rates.

Quantifiable outcome

• All vehicles equipped with wheelchair-accessible lifts or ramps
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered historical and core.

• Meadows Mennonite Retirement CommunityhistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal sponsor of SHOW BUS from 1979 until SHOW BUS became a separate entity in July 2009.
• First TransitcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCoordinates Medicaid transportation logistics. Medicaid recipients must call First Transit at 1-877-725-0569 to arrange rides with prior approval.
• AmtrakcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntercity bus connections to Amtrak at Normal's Uptown Station for travel to Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and other destinations.
• Burlington TrailwayscoreTechnology or IntegrationIntercity bus connections at Normal's Uptown Station for regional travel.
• GreyhoundcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntercity bus connections at Bloomington's Pilot Station and Normal's Uptown Station.
• Connect TransitcoreTechnology or IntegrationBloomington/Normal public transit service connecting with SHOW BUS intercity routes. Riders can access Lime Route and other Connect Transit routes from SHOW BUS stops.
• County Transportation Committees (Logan, Kankakee, McLean)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partners providing input in evaluation and planning of transportation services. McLean County Regional Planning Commission Transportation Advisory Committee also involved.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Decatur Public Transit System: Decatur Public Transit System operates fixed-route bus service in Decatur, Illinois, and is taking over SHOW BUS's Macon County rural service effective June 30, 2025. Both agencies operate Illinois DOT-funded public bus service with ADA-accessible vehicles in central Illinois, with overlapping rider demographics and funding sources.
• Connect Transit: Connect Transit operates fixed-route public bus service in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, directly overlapping SHOW BUS's McLean County service area and absorbing SHOW BUS's McLean County riders after June 2025. Both are public, fixed-route and demand-response bus operators serving central Illinois with ADA-accessible fleets funded through Illinois DOT and FTA programs.
• CRIS (Champaign County Area Rural Transit): CRIS is the rural public transit provider for Champaign County, Illinois, and is taking over SHOW BUS's Ford County service after June 2025. Both are nonprofit rural transit agencies funded through Illinois DOT that provide fixed-route and demand-response bus service with ADA-accessible vehicles in central Illinois counties.
• Piattran: Piattran (Piatt County Public Transportation) operates rural and demand-response bus service in Piatt County, Illinois, and is taking over SHOW BUS's DeWitt County service after June 2025. Both are nonprofit rural public transit operators in central Illinois using Illinois DOT Section 5311 funding and ADA-accessible vehicles.

Regional players

• Burlington Trailways: Burlington Trailways is an intercity bus carrier operating scheduled service across the Midwest, including a connection hub at Normal's Uptown Station where SHOW BUS riders transfer. Both operate scheduled passenger bus service in Illinois, but Burlington Trailways focuses on long-distance intercity routes while SHOW BUS provides rural first-mile/last-mile connectivity.
• Peoria Charter: Peoria Charter is an Illinois-based intercity bus operator serving Peoria, Champaign, Chicago, and other cities with a transfer point at Normal's Uptown Station used by SHOW BUS riders. Both are Illinois bus service providers, but Peoria Charter focuses on scheduled intercity routes while SHOW BUS focuses on rural local service.

Broad incumbents

• Greyhound Lines: Greyhound is the largest intercity bus carrier in North America, with connections at Bloomington's Pilot Station and Normal's Uptown Station where SHOW BUS provides feeder service. Both are passenger bus operators in Illinois, but Greyhound is a broad national incumbent while SHOW BUS is a specialized rural local provider.
• Modivcare: Modivcare (formerly LogistiCare) is a large national non-emergency medical transportation broker coordinating rides for Medicaid and managed care plans. Both provide NEMT services to Medicaid beneficiaries, but Modivcare is a broad national incumbent operating as a brokerage while SHOW BUS is a regional operator providing direct vehicle service.
• Amtrak: Amtrak operates national intercity passenger rail with a stop at Normal's Uptown Station, where SHOW BUS provides feeder connections to Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Both serve passenger ground transportation in central Illinois, but Amtrak is a broad national rail incumbent while SHOW BUS is a rural bus feeder.

Others

• First Transit: First Transit coordinates Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation logistics for SHOW BUS, with Medicaid recipients calling First Transit at 1-877-725-0569 to arrange rides. Both are involved in NEMT delivery in Illinois, but First Transit operates as a broker/coordinator while SHOW BUS provides the actual vehicle and driver service.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/show-bus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Show Bus