RANTOUL, Ill. – The eastern Illinois city of Rantoul now has a private bus service linking it to Champaign-Urbana about 20 miles away.

Rantoul U-C Express will run between the cities from 6 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Saturdays. Tickets are $9 for a one-way trip, although discounts will be available for round trips and frequent riders.

Company founder Wendell Golston says surveys have repeatedly shown the service is something that Rantoul residents want to help them reach their doctors, social service agencies and community college classes.

The buses will make eight stops in Rantoul. In Champaign-Urbana, stops are planned at the courthouse, area hospitals, health clinics and Parkland College.