DECATUR - Bus and trolley routes could be changed to improve service on the community's south and west sides.

The proposals would provide better service to the new Decatur Township Office on South Taylorville Road, the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel near U.S. 36 and a new senior assisted living facility on U.S. 51 and Lincoln Park Drive, among other destinations.

"As an added benefit, these changes would also enhance the purpose of and significantly increase ridership on the Millikin area trolley," mass transit Administrator Paul McChancy said in a memo to city leaders.

McChancy recommends holding public hearings to gather citizens' thoughts on the proposed changes.

The Decatur City Council ultimately would decide whether to change bus and trolley routes.

The city especially wants to improve bus service to the new Decatur Township Office.

"Staff realized that the current schedule for the area - one bus every two hours, six trips per day - would not be sufficient," McChancy said. "Staff found that the solution to this problem requires the realignment of the four bus and trolley routes that serve the southwest quadrant of the city."

Changes call for improving hourly service to 13 trips per day for the Enterprise and Taylor Road bus route. Currently, one bus serves the area every two hours, with six trips per day.

The route passes by the new township office and senior living facility, which are expected to open this year. The route also would improve bus service to shopping centers in South Shores and homes near Enterprise School.

The route for West Main and Wyckles Road would be merged with the Millikin area trolley route to provide hourly service for all of West Main Street and the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel.

The Oakland Avenue route also would be split into two segments to better accommodate a growing number of drivers.

"The proposed realignment of routes in the West End would provide improved service to key locations without eliminating any critical service," McChancy said. "Shifting the trolley to the West Main-Wyckles Road route would enhance the trolley's purpose and immediately double its ridership.

"And splitting the current Oakland route into two segments would solve the problem caused by having too many riders on that route."

Councilwoman Betsy Stockard in recent years has led the charge to find new uses for the city's trolleys.

"People keep telling me that they don't see anybody riding on the trolleys, and they think we ought to do something with them," Stockard previously told the council.

Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.