JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ill. (WSIL)--- Some bus routes are up and running in Jefferson County from the South Central Transit Service.
These busses are back up and running again after an EF-1 tornado hit the facility last Thursday and destroyed most of the transit center.
Officials shared their progress after staff spent all weekend cleaning up what they could after the stormed ripped through the area.
“Well with the other five buses, besides the big one, we are running 10 routes a day,� Transit Supervisor Alicia Westbrook said.
Westbrook and staff members are using a bus as a makeshift office, so they can continue service in Jefferson County.
She says with six buses they are prioritizing their medical rides, especially the rides for dialysis.
This is because of the 90-mile winds that ripped the roof off of the transit center on Thursday. Workers came to the center and found buses with smashed windows, debris throughout the area, and walls blown apart.
“Everybody helped with the cleanup, cleaning out over the weekend. And they are glad to be out assisting people,� Westbrook said.
The assistant supervisor for South Central Transit says they are shifting their main concern to getting people where they need to go.
“Because we have so many people trying to get to the grocery store, or doctors appointments or things like that,� Heather Roper said.
They also have contracts with some companies which need to be fulfilled.Â
“We are also concerned with getting the Continental Tire employees to their jobs, especially those from out of town,� Roper said.
Westbrook says they are probably going to continue at a reduced pace until they can get more buses in service.
“We don't give up, we keep going, and we will be back up and running as soon as we can,� Westbrook said.
Transit officials say they still have lots to do to get a new center functional and it could take several months.Â
