About Go West

Mission Statement

Go West Transit is in operation to provide quality fixed route public transportation services that enhance and improve quality of life for all people in Macomb.

Our primary purpose is to transport citizens from their residences to areas of high public demand in Macomb. Our routes are designed with the general public in mind, but we pay special attention to the following groups:

Senior Citizens
Public Housing
Families with unmet transportation needs
Primary and Secondary school students
WIU students

The History of Go West

May 1998

Western Illinois University students vote overwhelmingly (78%) to assess a fee on themselves for the purpose of providing a bus system.

February 1999

Red Route 1 starts service in a snowstorm. 1200 riders ride in the first day. Go West's fleet consisted of 3 buses.

April 1999

Blue Route 3, Orange Route 4, and Brown Route 5 all start service (Route 3 had another name at the time).

October 1999

Go West became a provider in the McDonough County Public Transportation system, and Gold Route 7 started service.

May 2000

First year ridership was 648,891. White Route 6 began service.

June 2000

The first summer service was available on campus.

December 2000

Fleet size increased to 10 buses (none of them new).

August 2001

Green Route 2 starts counterclockwise service for the first time around campus and into the northwest quadrant of Macomb. Ridership is now 830,601. Go West receives its first new bus, a 2001 Bluebird.

2002

Go West is granted money for six new buses to be delivered and put into service in the fall of 2004. Ridership is now 896,597.

2003

Service expanded to three buses on Route 1 six hours a day, and Route 2 is modified to go through the North Quad to help efficiencies in the North Charles Street area. Ridership is now 921,786.

2004

The original 35-foot 1983 Gillig buses that Go West used are disposed of. Ridership is now over one million per year (1.09 million)

2005

Go West receives a Downstate Operating Grant and planning money for a garage. Three additional new buses are to be delivered during the fiscal year. Ridership is now 1.18 million riders.

2006

Go West now operating nine routes, and 15 peak buses. Ridership up 13% to 1.35 million.