MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), today announced over $4 million in Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program (WETAP) grants for organizations across 54 Wisconsin counties to expand access to employment-related transportation opportunities and promote Wisconsinites’ ability to enter and remain successful in the workforce. Funded by the Federal Transit Administration and state funds from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and WisDOT, WETAP is designed to help local communities address unique transportation needs to ensure transportation access is not a significant barrier to Wisconsinites seeking and retaining employment.

“Whether your family car needs repairs, you’re working the night shift when public transit options are limited, or there’s no bus route close to home and work, if there’s a bus at all, transportation can be a significant barrier for Wisconsinites in finding and maintaining gainful employment,” said Gov. Evers. “Wisconsinites are hard workers by nature, but you’ve got to have a way to get to work in order to work hard and put food on the table. So, I look forward to seeing how these grants will help close gaps in communities across our state to help fill available jobs, get folks to work, and build the 21st-century workforce and infrastructure we need to support a 21st-century economy.”

“Lack of transportation can be a significant barrier to getting and keeping jobs for many people in Wisconsin,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “Supporting these transportation options will help to improve economic outcomes not only for these workers, but the for the entire state. WisDOT applauds and supports these community organizations that are working to address transportation needs for workers in every county.”   

“Not much means more to a family than a good, stable job,” said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. “After a year of record employment in Wisconsin, we will continue to fight to remove barriers to work and connect skills with opportunities in a new environment of unpredictability.”  

WETAP supports several initiatives to ensure Wisconsinites have access to the transportation they need, including: 

• New or expanded transportation services that address the employment-related transportation needs of eligible low-income workers;
• Shared solutions such as ridesharing, public transportation expansion, vanpools, or carpools;
• Individual solutions, such as car repair or used car loan programs; and
• Coordinated transportation solutions that address gaps in service and streamline community efforts.  

Wisconsinites looking for help under WETAP can find the contact information for the organization working in their area here.

This announcement builds upon Gov. Evers’ efforts over the last six years to prioritize improving Wisconsin’s transportation aids and infrastructure to ensure the state has the 21st-century infrastructure workers, businesses, and visitors depend on. The 2019-21 and 2021-23 Biennial Budgets, signed by Gov. Evers, both included an increase of $250,000 annually for WETAP, bringing the state’s investment to over $830,000 annually. The governor also proposed an increase of nearly $127,000 for WETAP in his 2023-25 biennial budget. However, Republican members of the Joint Finance Committee rejected the governor’s proposed increase. The 2023-25 biennial budget signed by Gov. Evers did, however, provide a two percent increase in mass transit aids to assist local transit systems, as well as a four percent increase in paratransit aids, and increased funding for specialized transit aids for seniors and people with disabilities.

Additionally, Gov. Evers included several efforts in his 2025-27 Executive Budget to promote transit accessibility, such as raising state support of mass transit aids to help provide Wisconsinites better access to jobs, education, friends and family, healthcare, and entertainment; increasing funding for programs supporting seniors and people with disabilities, paratransit, and employer-sponsored commuting options; increasing funding for programs that assist populations with specialized transit needs and job access; and more.

Click Here for the List of Grant Recipients

ONEIDA, Wis. (WFRV) – The new home for the Oneida Nation’s Public Transit system is officially open, as representatives gathered to celebrate with a ribbon-cutting on Thursday afternoon.

The new space features more than just offices and garages, it includes a washing bay for Oneida Transit and servicing areas to ensure the transportation operations work smoothly.

Fares within the service area vary from $1 to $1.50; however, people at least 55 years old or older ride for free.

The new facility is located at N7341 Water Circle Place in Oneida, under the Water Tower on Highway 54.

Additional details and updates on service dates can be found on the Oneida Nation website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/oneida-nation-public-transit-system-celebrates-opening-of-new-facility/

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The apprenticeship event featured remarks from state and county leaders, a ceremonial apprenticeship signing, and a presentation of toolboxes and gear to the inaugural class of apprentices,

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) launched two apprenticeship programs in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). Wisconsin’s coach/bus mechanic and bus operator registered apprenticeship programs are the first transit apprenticeship programs in the state.  

"Wisconsin Apprenticeship helps develop a skilled workforce to meet industry needs and provides pathways to in-demand jobs like those in the transit field at MCTS," said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. "With record-breaking numbers of registered apprentices and youth apprentices, the broad appeal of apprenticeship is clear. It is an incredibly successful program for launching careers and building the workforce Wisconsin needs." 

MCTS Interim President and CEO Julie Esch said, “Millions of people rely on public transit to get to work. We encourage other transit agencies across the state to start a similar workforce initiative to address the shortage of bus operators and mechanics. This shortage comes in the face of a growing trend of increased bus ridership in Wisconsin.”  

About the coach/bus mechanic apprenticeship program 

MCTS is offering an 18-month registered apprenticeship program for mechanics through the Wisconsin DWD Bureau of Apprenticeship standards. Once the apprentices fulfill program requirements, they can move into mechanic positions with MCTS. The curriculum consists of hands-on learning and mentorship at MCTS. 

The agency notes that because there is a lack of a toolkit to moving up the career ladder into a mechanic position, it will award each mechanic apprentice with a set of tools valued at $4,000 for their training, which will become the apprentice’s own when they complete the program. 

Each apprentice will earn between $30-$33 per hour (depending on their position prior to starting the program). Each trainer will receive an additional $4 per hour above their current wages for their time invested in the apprentices. 

The apprentices will receive a coach/bus mechanic journey worker’s card issued by the state upon completion of the program. MCTS notes the goal is to begin each 18-month program with two mechanic apprentices. 

About the coach/bus operator apprenticeship program 

MCTS is offering a 12-month registered apprenticeship program for new bus operators through the Wisconsin DWD Bureau of Apprenticeship standards. In addition to on-the-job learning, MCTS says apprentices will also meet with a mentor who will provide additional guidance to ensure the long-term success of the apprentice. 

The apprenticeship program is expected to improve the retention of new bus operators. MCTS notes the operator apprentices are selected both internally and externally for the full-year program. Each candidate will also be trained incustomer service skills. 

Each operator apprentice will be assigned to a mentor. The mentor will be a current MCTS employee who can coach the new employee and share experiences. All the mentors have been bus operators at the agency for at least three years. 

MCTS notes each apprentice will earn $24.54 per hour. Each mentor-trainer will receive an additional $2 per hour above their current wages for their time invested in the apprentices. 

Apprentices will receive a coach/bus operator journey worker’s card issued by the state upon completion of the program.  

MCTS’s goal is to begin with an inaugural group of 25 operator apprentices and two mechanic apprentices. The agency is now accepting applications for the next class in the fall. 

“Congratulations to our ATU Local 998-Milwaukee and MCTS for establishing Wisconsin’s first registered coach/bus mechanic and bus operator apprenticeship programs. As a leader in developing workforce development programs in the transit industry, our union knows these programs are critical in preparing transit workers for the challenges on the job and helping them to advance careers,” said ATU International President John Costa. “Collaboration with union and management works because our members know the demands of the job better than anyone. We believe these innovative programs will serve as a model for transit agencies across Wisconsin.” 

Outgoing Metro Transit General Manager Justin Stuehrenberg attributes the ridership increase to the September 2024 rollout of bus rapid transit in Madison.

Bus ridership in the Madison area surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time this April. Ridership on Metro Transit last month hit more than 1.3 million, the highest recorded that month in nearly a decade.

“We're excited to see that it not only exceeded 2019, but is the highest since 2015 in April,” says Metro Transit General Manager Justin Stuehrenberg, who will leave the agency May 30. “Metro's peak ridership was in 2014 and then [was] slowly going down, even before COVID.”

Ridership in April 2019 was at 1.26 million. Other cities have struggled to recoup their pre-pandemic ridership numbers, and Stuehrenberg says there’s “only a handful” of agencies nationally that have surpassed pre-pandemic ridership: he mentions Spokane, Nashville, Tucson, and Richmond, Virginia, as examples. Those agencies, he says, have either gone fare-free or “undertaken pretty substantial service enhancements.”

It’s a strong bounceback for the agency. The nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum found in 2022 that Metro’s ridership numbers were “alarmingly low” after the pandemic. Systemwide ridership in 2019 totaled an estimated 12.9 million rides. In 2024, Metro’s annual ridership was at 9.2 million.

Transit experts say the decline is largely related to the rise of remote work. Former riders continuing to work remotely or on a hybrid basis could cause a “permanent” national reduction in 9 a.m.-5 p.m. commuter ridership, one 2024 U.S. Department of Transportation report warned. National public transit ridership — including trains and other forms of public transit — is at 79% of pre-pandemic levels, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

Stuehrenberg expects Madison’s bus ridership to continue rising and attributes the increase to the September 2024 rollout of bus rapid transit: “As we get any kinks worked out in the system and the operation gets a little bit more smooth, and people get more familiar with it, they're seeing the value and really gravitating towards it. I think [the increase is] directly attributable to those investments we've made.” 

Stuehrenberg is “relatively confident” about a crucial expansion to Metro’s service. Though former Madison Director of Transportation Thomas Lynch said in March that the city was at “high” risk of not receiving federal money for a second, north-south BRT route, Stuehrenberg predicts $118 million in funding will come through.

“The biggest concern was that program just being eliminated or reduced dramatically,” says Stuehrenberg. “That didn’t happen. That funding program was fully funded in the 2025 continuing resolution that passed [on March 15]. That's a really good sign that money is there.”

He says he feels Madison’s proposal is “well situated” for the U.S. Department of Transportation's new criteria for the Capital Investment Grants program, which “largely mirror” executive orders signed by President Donald Trump. The revised criteria, Stuehrenberg says, disincentivizes electric buses and replaces references to environmental justice and race-based criteria with targeting of “opportunity zones,” federally-designated tax-incentive areas for low-income communities.

But, he notes, Madison won’t need to purchase any electric buses for the new BRT system — they were purchased with previously awarded federal funds — and most of Madison’s opportunity zones lie along the proposed north-south BRT line.

“We can, I think, still score very well even under some of these new criteria.”

[Editor’s note: This article was corrected to indicate that the cities Metro Transit General Manager Justin Stuehrenberg mentioned were examples of cities that have surpassed pre-pandemic ridership.] 

https://isthmus.com/news/news/metro-transit-ridership-in-april-surpasses-pre-pandemic-numbers/

The Milwaukee County Transit System and Summerfest have announced transportation options for all three weekends of Summerfest.

Summerfest will be held during the weekends of June 19-21, June 26-28, and July 3-5.

Options to fit every music fan's needs. MCTS will offer Summerfest shuttles at three park and ride locations, the CONNECT BRT 1 line with a stop near the Summerfest North Gate, and regular MCTS routes.

MCTS Summerfest Shuttles:
MCTS will offer shuttles from three park and ride lots, including College Avenue, Brown Deer Park, and Hales Corners Park and Ride lots. Parking at each Park and Ride lot is free on a first-come, first-served basis.

All shuttles are cashless, and riders will pay once they arrive at Summerfest. Payment options include the Umo App, WisGo Card, VISA, Mastercard, Discover card, Google, and Apple Pay.

Round-trip fare is $12 for riders 12 and up.

The first shuttle will leave the lot at 11:30 a.m., and the last shuttle will depart from the Summerfest Mid Gate at 12:30 a.m.

https://www.tmj4.com/news/milwaukee-county/need-a-ride-mcts-and-summerfest-announce-transit-options-for-2025-festival

Hundreds of Dane County residents took part in a free transportation challenge this April, swapping solo car trips for more sustainable options like biking, walking/rolling, riding the bus and carpooling. The result? Over 15 tons of carbon dioxide emissions were avoided—roughly the same as getting four gas-powered vehicles off the road for an entire year.

The Spring Roll Challenge(link is external), hosted by the RoundTrip program, ran throughout April in celebration of Earth Month. RoundTrip is a free public program of the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) that helps connect Dane County residents and employees to affordable, sustainable alternatives to driving alone.

Participants logged over 8,100 trips by bike, bus, walking/rolling and carpool throughout April, making this our biggest challenge yet. The results show how our small daily choices—like walking to the store or carpooling with a friend—can add up to a big difference for our environment. 

—

Zia Brucaya, RoundTrip Program Manager

The impact went beyond emissions. Collectively, participants saved $10,000 on gas and car maintenance costs, burned 900,000 calories and avoided over 45,000 miles of drive-alone travel.

Everyone who logged at least six trips per week—and 30 throughout April—by walking, biking, carpooling, or riding the bus, was entered into weekly and grand prize drawings that included prizes generously donated by Willy Street Co-op(link is external), Ian’s Pizza(link is external) and Madison BCycle(link is external).

RoundTrip will host its next transportation challenge in September. To learn more, sign up and explore sustainable transportation options in Dane County, visit www.RoundTripGreaterMadison.org(link is external).

About RoundTrip: RoundTrip is a program of the Greater Madison MPO that helps individuals and employers in Dane County access affordable, sustainable alternatives to driving alone. In 2024, RoundTrip members logged more than 16,000 green trips—saving $27,000, burning three million calories, and cutting 35.5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

About the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)(link is external): The Greater Madison MPO leads a cooperative, comprehensive regional transportation planning and decision-making process for the greater Madison area and allocates millions of dollars of federal funding to local transportation projects.

https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-05-01/dane-county-residents-make-big-impact-choosing-sustainable-transportation-this

April 15, 2025

Bus networks throughout North America are seeing growth on a variety of fronts. According to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) “Public Transportation Ridership Report” for Q4 in 2024, total bus ridership increased by 9.24 percent compared to total ridership in 2023. This builds on the 16 percent increase in ridership from 2023 compared to 2022, according to a policy brief APTA released in April 2024. In the same brief, APTA cites national public transit ridership has reached 79 percent of pre-pandemic levels.  

As ridership comes back to transit systems, agencies are investing in their bus fleets. Over a dozen of bus orders have been announced since the start of the new year, with many orders including low- or zero-emission vehicles. This follows the data from Mass Transit’s “2025 Mobility Outlook Survey,” where 40 percent of respondents said their bus fleets needed the most immediate investment. Several high-profile bus projects have also made strides in the past year, with IndyGo launching the Purple Line, its second bus rapid transit (BRT) route; Seattle Department of Transportation breaking ground on its RapidRide J Line; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey moving ahead with its Midtown Bus Terminal replacement project after securing federal funding.  

Navigating a delicate supply chain 

While APTA is reporting 2,094 rubber-tired vehicles are on order as of Jan. 1, 2024, according to its 2024 Vehicle Database, fulfilling these orders may come with some hurdles. U.S. bus manufacturing and the larger North American transit bus supply chain has already been experiencing challenges, with several original equipment manufacturers (OEMS) having already or about to close operations. Nova Bus sold its Plattsburgh, N.Y., plant at the end of 2024 while REV Group sold ENC in October 2024. However, new players are entering the market, with Solaris signing its first contract in the U.S. market for an electric bus order and Micro Bird setting up manufacturing operations in Nova Bus’ New York plant.  

Adding manufacturers is one step to build resiliency into the supply chain. Other steps being taken include the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) proposed Buy America Waiver for Battery Electric Minibuses, which ended the comment period early January 2025. This follows FTA’s extension of the Partial Buy America Waiver for Vans and Minivans, which was originally granted in 2022. APTA also continues to leverage the recommendations from the Bus Manufacturing Task Force, which encourages agencies entering contracts to consider adding in price adjustments in contracts, implementing progress payments and including vehicle price adjustment mechanisms to account for inflation or deflation throughout the contract lifecycle.  

In line with these recommendations, a couple of agencies took steps last year to help streamline the procurement process. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) Board of Directors adopted a policy that requires all future bus procurements to minimize customization specifications and introduce new and early milestone payments. The policy also encourages other local bus agencies to participate. L.A. Metro’s Regional Zero-Emission Bus Procurement policy is meant to provide relief to OEMs. 

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Board of Directors approved a similar measure, allowing the JTA to award and negotiate a statewide contract to purchase autonomous vehicles (AVs). The statewide procurement is in partnership with the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA), which allows its members to select from shortlisted companies, after due diligence, that qualified through their compliance with specific operational requirements. This effort helped standardize and streamline AV procurements throughout the state.  

One other thing to watch for will be how the onslaught of tariffs and counter-tariffs will impact current and future bus orders. The private sector was already bracing for cost increases. In the “2025 Mobility Outlook Survey,” 26 percent of respondents cited inflation as their top concern going into 2025.  

Industry continues to pursue the zero-emission transition 

According to APTA’s 2024 Vehicle Database, 44 percent of active rubber-tired vehicles in the U.S. are using alternative power. This number will continue to grow. Forty-seven percent of transit agency respondents to the “2025 Mobility Outlook Survey” said they planned to procure battery-electric buses (BEBs). That is compared to the 30 percent of respondents who plan to procure diesel buses.   

This increase in alternative fuel and zero-emissions bus (ZEB) adoption is in line with CALSTART’s “2025 Zeroing in on ZEBS” annual report. According to the report, adoption of full-size ZEBs increased 14 percent compared to 2023. While BEBs make up the bulk of these vehicles, adoption of fuel cell electric buses increased by 55 percent compared to 2023. Small ZEBS also saw an increased adoption rate of 25 percent compared to 2023. CALSTART’s report calculates the U.S. will surpass 15,000 full-size ZEBS by 2030 if the industry continues this pace of adoption.  

Helping fund this adoption is the FTA’s Low- and No-Emission Grant program and the Bus and Bus Facilities Grant program. In fiscal year 2024, over 100 projects across the county received nearly $1.5 billion in funding from these programs. Projects awarded will use the funds to purchase hydrogen fuel-cell buses, BEBs, charging equipment and modernized facilities to support the new vehicles. According to CALSTART’s report, this funding supported the purchase of nearly 600 ZEBs in 2024.  

https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/article/55275322/special-report-state-of-north-american-bus-fleets

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Green Bay Metro, the public transit system for the city, reported a record number of bus riders on day one of the NFL Draft.

Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft ridership was just over 7,000, Green Bay Metro reported Friday.

RECORD SET!!!! Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft ridership was ….. just over 7,000. Definitely the busiest one day ridership...

Posted by Green Bay Metro on Friday, April 25, 2025

Green Bay Metro said its definitely the busiest one day ridership record for the transit system.

The transit system was also excited to report how its new Battery Electric Bus performed on Thursday.

Green Bay Metro said the bus traveled 97.1 miles, had a 1.71 Average kWh per mile, and had 58.4% battery remaining.

https://www.wbay.com/2025/04/26/green-bay-metro-transit-reports-record-number-riders-day-1-nfl-draft/

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is calling on teens across the county to help shape the future of public transit. Applications are now open for the 2025 Transit Teen Advocate program — a summer opportunity designed to engage youth ages 14 to 18 in civic leadership, community education, and peer outreach.

Now in its third year and its first as a summer experience, the program will bring together approximately 20 teens to tour transit facilities, learn from industry professionals, attend local field trips, and collaborate on a group project that promotes public transit among their peers.

“We’re looking for teens who will show up as they are — storytellers, community advocates, people who are passionate about making a difference,” said Biltu Hamda, MCTS Community Outreach leader. “This is about youth helping youth connect with the community and the services that move them forward.”

Teen advocates will receive:

• A $25 meeting stipend for participation
• A free WisGo card for unlimited rides throughout the summer
• Access to mentorship and networking opportunities

Past participants have described the program as a unique and empowering way to get involved and give back.

Applications are open now through Friday, May 23, 2025. Interested teens can apply online at RideMCTS.com/Teens. For questions or more information, contact Community@MCTS.org.

The prestigious annual APTA Awards program, which recognizes excellence in the public transportation industry, is now open for nominations!

APTA Award winners are outstanding role models of excellence, leadership, and innovation whose accomplishments have greatly advanced public transportation.

Learn more and submit nominations here.

The deadline to submit nominations is May 30.