New secretary shares vision for Wisconsin’s transportation future

Release date: September 12, 2024

Secretary Kristina Boardman begins her new role today as Wisconsin’s secretary of transportation. Gov. Tony Evers announced her appointment to the position last month.

Secretary Boardman becomes the first woman to lead the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) after serving in a variety of roles in the agency, including deputy secretary and administrator of the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

As deputy secretary, Boardman was the department’s chief operating officer, overseeing operations for an agency with 3,200 employees, dozens of field offices and a biennial budget of more than $8 billion. Under Boardman’s leadership, the DMV excelled in customer service, efficiency, and innovation. Key accomplishments include innovating an award-winning online service for customers to title and register their vehicles, implementing the federal REAL ID program in Wisconsin, and expanding opportunities to schedule appointments at DMV service centers.

“It’s been a privilege to work at WisDOT serving the people of Wisconsin for the last 19 years,” Secretary Boardman said. “The opportunity to now lead the department I love is a true honor and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I will build on the progress we’ve made to improve our transportation system in recent years and will continue to share WisDOT’s story, so the public understands the crucial work we do every day to improve safety and mobility in Wisconsin.”

Secretary Boardman’s priorities for WisDOT include:

• Support the WisDOT workforce with ongoing opportunities for engagement and support.
• Maximize the funding opportunities of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bring needed resources to Wisconsin.
• Strengthen our technology and tools to best deliver safe and efficient self-service opportunities to our customers and stakeholders.
• Support continued investment in transportation to deliver on our core responsibilities to safely connect the public, wherever they travel.

In addition to her time at WisDOT, Secretary Boardman has nearly three decades of state government service, including 10 years as a legislative aide for the Wisconsin State Assembly, before transitioning to WisDOT in 2005. She also served as chair of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators International Board of Directors for the 2022-23 federal fiscal year.

Secretary Boardman replaces former secretary Craig Thompson, who Gov. Evers appointed to lead WisDOT in 2019. Since then, the Evers Administration has worked to improve more than 7,400 miles of road and 1,780 bridges across Wisconsin.

View Secretary Boardman’s full bio and download her official photo here.

For more information, contact:

WisDOT Office of Public Affairs
(608) 266-3581, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov

MCTS Launches On-Demand Paratransit Pilot Program in Milwaukee County

August 22, 2024 10:25 AM CDT

By: Stuart J. Wattles

MILWAUKEE, Wis (WAUK) — Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is set to launch a new pilot program called Transit Plus Same Day, offering on-demand rides for those eligible starting September 1, 2024.

The year-long pilot, powered by Via, aims to provide last-minute transportation for health and employment needs that couldn’t be scheduled in advance. The service will operate seven days a week within Milwaukee County, with ride requests accepted from 7 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.

Fares are set at $10 for one-way trips, with personal care attendants riding free and companions allowed for an additional $10. Riders must present their Transit Plus ID upon boarding.

MCTS officials emphasize that the program is not intended as a backup for regular Transit Plus vans. Participants must sign an agreement acknowledging the program’s purpose and limitations.

Enrollment will be phased-in to manage demand, with those interested required to submit a form. Forms can be returned in-person, by mail, email, or through an online portal.

The pilot’s duration is set for one year or until funding runs out. MCTS plans to adjust qualifications throughout the program to optimize service.

For more information or to enroll, people can visit the MCTS website.

The new bus rapid transit system officially launched Sunday after years in the making. (Spectrum News 1/Abbey Taylor)

TRANSPORTATION

Madison's new bus rapid transit system launched Sunday

By Abbey Taylor Wisconsin

PUBLISHED 8:13 PM ET Sep. 22, 2024

MADISON — 14-year-old Zenon Neta is a big fan of the Madison Metro Transit System. He rides the bus to volunteer at the Madison Children’s Museum and helps his grandmother get around town.

“She rides it to the hospital and to the blood bank, so I always help her and show her how to ride the bus,” Neta said.

What You Need To Know

• Routes A, B and F will board at new stations that have been built across town
• 
  
• The new system features bigger, electric buses with multiple entrances for riders to board
• 
  
• The city added 31 covered boarding stations with built-in heaters along the line 

Both said they are thrilled to take Route A through the new bus rapid transit system that launched Sunday.

“We’re riding it from head to toe, checking it out,” Neta said. “It’s been in the works for so many years. It’s exciting it’s finally here.”

The new system features bigger, electric buses with multiple entrances for riders to board and will trigger green lights to stay on schedule and reduce travel time. 

“I feel like it represents the city going green because the new buses are 100% zero admissions electric vehicles and it’s very nice,” Neta said.

Mick Rusch, the Chief Development Officer for Madison Metro Transit, said the city added 31 covered boarding stations with built-in heaters along the line with bike access and pedestrian crossings. 

“We have a new way to pay your fair,” Rusch said. “We have smart cards. We have an online way to load money into your account. It’s a much easier way to ride the bus nowadays.”

For Neta and his grandmother, Judy Gunkel, it’s more than just getting around. It’s about the time they spend together as well. 

“It’s wonderful,” Gunkel said. “I got to spend time with my grandson and he’s teaching me about the new bus.”

For more information on the new bus rapid transit system, click here.

Three bus systems in Racine, Wis., Westchester County, N.Y., and Bloomington-Normal, Ill., are progressing plans to implement technology upgrades in their vehicles.

Westchester County Bee-Line

GMV has been awarded a $16 million contract to install GMV Hub on each Bee-Line bus in Westchester County, N.Y.  The hub is a vehicle computer that controls a range of onboard systems, including GPS, bus operator touchscreen, automatic passenger counters, next stop announcements and a dedicated sensor for precision tracking in indoor bus depots. The GMV Hub also functions as a digital video recorder to store footage from security cameras on each bus. 

GMV will also provide its ITS Suite, which is a cloud native software platform GMV says will “enhance the county’s visibility and control” of its bus operations. The suite includes app functions that will assist the county in planning, scheduling and dispatch of its services, garage management and video management. 

“We are thrilled to announce Westchester’s Bee-Line Bus System will be getting this cutting-edge technology upgrade, which will improve customer safety, real-time operations management and efficiency. The comprehensive upgrade also supports our commitment to sustainability with zero-emission fleet integrations and will enhance the experience for the everyday rider by incorporating modern mobility solutions,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

To support Westchester County and other clients on the East Coast, GMV will open a New York office. 

RYDE Racine

Racine, Wis., and Modine will collaborate with RYDE Racine to equip the transit system’s electric buses with Modine’s EVantage Thermal Management System. Modine says its EVantage thermal management system will optimize inverter temperatures and improve the range, longevity and reliability of the city’s electric bus fleet.

RYDE operates nine electric buses with the system installed and has another four electric buses on order after the city of Racine received a grant through the Federal Transit Administration Low or No Emission Vehicle Program. To meet the Buy America standard set forth in the funding guidelines, RYDE Racine has selected all-electric buses containing Modine EVantage thermal management systems to ensure they feature American-made components and systems from a hometown supplier.

"Racine has set an ambitious goal to reduce the carbon footprint of our public transit system and we're achieving this objective bus by bus. As we increase the size of our zero-emission bus fleet, Modine’s sophisticated thermal management system is essential for maintaining our transit program's smooth operation, reliability and efficiency," said Trevor Jung, transit and mobility director at the city of Racine. "Through this collaboration, Modine has helped RYDE Racine fortify our electric buses with a hometown solution, demonstrating our combined commitment to enhancing service reliability for our passengers and environmental sustainability." 

Connect Transit 

Connect Transit will use $800,000 in federal funds to invest in a series of upgrades, including onboard communication systems, camera systems and other technology to improve bus operators’ awareness of their surroundings.

The funding was part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) Program included in the THUD Appropriations Act that was part of an omnibus package to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) supported the transit provider by including the funds in the CDS Program. 

 “Everyone deserves a safe ride when they hop on the bus to get to work, run errands or meet up with loved ones. In Bloomington-Normal, Illinoisans can rely on Connect Transit to get the job done,” said Sen. Durbin. “I was a strong advocate for Connect Transit to receive today’s announced funding and I’m glad to see $800,000 in federal support going to the region’s transit systems.”

https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/article/55054957/bus-technology-updates-westchester-county-bee-line-system-ryde-racine-and-connect-transit

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - According to the city of Eau Claire, more people are using cars over buses for transportation than in 2010. So the city is trying to get more people and students to use public transportation.

Although recent ridership has gone up, it still falls short from the numbers seen decades ago.

According to Eau Claire Transit manager Ty Fadness, taking the bus alleviates traffic and it's better for the environment. It's also potentially safer than traveling by car.

"Of the nearly million miles that we drive we (our buses) hardly have any accidents. We're one of the top transit agencies in the state in terms of accidents per miles driven so this really is a great way to get around town," said Fadness.

News 18 spoke with one bus rider, Max Childs, who doesn't own a car and instead uses the bus when he needs to travel far. He said the bus saves him money.

"You definitely save a lot on your gas. Fare is only a $1.75, that's pretty reasonable," said Childs.

Eau Claire Transit is seeing new improvements to their rides.

"When you ride the bus, you'll hear a lot of automated voice announcements so that's new and then we also have GPS technology so we can integrate that technology into an app," said Fadness.

The app will launch this fall.

Also new, more routes for Delong Middle and North High School student riders.

"We swing by Delong right after the bell rings and we drop them off west of Clairemont and its been a huge success so far," Fadness said.

Fadness said the new express routes go through areas that are too close to the schools for Student Transit. This helps students get around without parents having to plan ahead.

"Some parents have different work schedules. Some can't take their kids to school in the morning," said Childs.

This year, Eau Claire Transit is on pace to have 700,000 rides. The goal is to increase that to 1 million.

Eau Claire Transit will also be offering free rides this weekend for Eau Claire's Fall Festival happening this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on South Barstow Street.

For more information about Eau Claire Transit, click here.

https://www.wqow.com/eye-on-eau-claire/city-of-eau-claire-working-to-increase-public-bus-ridership/article_0ae84278-6eed-11ef-b891-43de0c29e7ed.html

The Brief

• • Milwaukee County will receive nearly $29 million in federal funds for road and transit projects.
  • Almost $22 million will be spent on redesigning and rebuilding county-owned highways and bridges.
  • Roughly $7 million will be used to buy new MCTS buses.

MILWAUKEE - Nearly $29 million in federal funds are headed to Milwaukee County for road repairs and new buses, County Executive David Crowley announced Tuesday.

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"Enhancing roadway safety and investing in public transit assets for all who use them are important in supporting the health, well-being, and economic vitality of Milwaukee County," Crowley said in a statement. 

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Almost $22 million will go toward redesigning and rebuilding segments of county-owned highways and bridges, according to the county executive's office. Projects will focus on redesigning them as safer streets and, wherever feasible, "complete streets."

Milwaukee County notes "corridors of concern" in its community transportation planning project, where fatal and serious injury crashes and acts of reckless driving occur regularly. It includes stretches of 76th Street, Silver Spring Drive and Layton Avenue that are now slated for full redesigns using federal funds.

Milwaukee County and the Milwaukee County Transit System will also receive more than $7 million to replace 13 buses, the county executive's office said. MCTS has a current fleet of more than 300 buses that have an average lifespan of approximately 12 years or 500,000 miles.

"For Milwaukee County to have a modern and robust transportation network, we continually seek to provide infrastructure that also ensures the safety and well-being of the traveling public," Donna Brown-Martin, Milwaukee County director of transportation, said in a statement. "Similarly, new buses for the MCTS fleet will support connectivity by moving more people timely and efficiently, while also reducing operational and maintenance costs through the replacement of vehicles past useful life standards."

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The county said federal funds will also go toward street safety improvements in Greendale, Shorewood, South Milwaukee, Wauwatosa and West Allis. The county will also partner with the city of Milwaukee to address a segment of the 35th Street corridor.

A project-by-project breakdown of the federal funding can be found on the county's website. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation awarded the money, received from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, through its Surface Transportation Program. 

https://www.fox6now.com/news/milwaukee-county-new-bus-road-improvement-funds

State transportation secretary to resign for UW position, Evers appoints successor

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson will leave his post to take a position as vice chancellor for university relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison — Gov. Tony Evers has appointed Deputy Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman to the position.

Associated Press

August 16, 2024

A flagpole at the Wisconsin State Capitol stands empty on June 22, 2023. The state transportation secretary plans to resign in September 2024 to take a job at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Gov. Tony Evers has appointed a successor to the position. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers’ transportation secretary plans to resign in September to take a job at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The governor’s office announced Aug. 16 that Craig Thompson will leave his post on Sept. 11 to take a position as vice chancellor for university relations at the state’s flagship university. Deputy Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman will succeed Thompson, becoming the first woman to serve as transportation secretary, the governor’s office said.

Evers appointed Thompson to the transportation post in December 2018, shortly before Evers began his first term in office. Republicans in the state Senate said then that they were worried about Thompson’s previous work as a lobbyist for the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin, a strong advocate for raising taxes and fees to fund road improvements. But the Senate eventually confirmed him in 2021.

Evers’ office said that Thompson has worked to make improvements to more than 7,400 miles of road and 1,780 bridges during his tenure.

The Department of Transportation accomplished those improvements without an increase in the state’s gas tax, one of the major funding sources for roadwork. That tax hasn’t gone up since 2006. The first state budget that Evers signed, however, increased vehicle title and registration fees, two other funding sources for road improvements.

The $1 trillion federal bipartisan infrastructure package that President Joe Biden signed in 2021 along with increases in electric vehicle registration fees in the 2021-23 Wisconsin state budget also generated more dollars for road work during Thompson’s tenure.

Thompson, a UW-Madison graduate, will replace Charles Hoslet as vice chancellor of university relations. Hoslet retired earlier this year, university officials said in a news release.

Thompson will oversee a broad range of relationships the university maintains with state government, federal agencies, Congress, businesses and other stakeholders, the news release said.

Bus Rapid Transit to launch in September

• Corey Moen
•  
• Aug 19, 2024
• 
  

MADISON, Wis. -- A new wave of public transportation is coming to Madison. 

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced Metro Transit's East-West bus rapid transit line is scheduled to start on Sept 22. 

"The launch of the East-West BRT route is a monumental step forward for our community, and our transit system," Rhodes-Conway said. 

The new Rapid A will run on the East-West Rapid Corridor with service running approximately every 15 minutes throughout most of the day. Routes B and F will also operate using the buses, stations, and lanes of BRT but will branch off to serve local stops. 

Metro's Rapid Route A and local routes B and F will be served by 60-foot all-electric buses. 

The 43 boarding stations along the East-West Rapid Corridor are in the final stages of construction and will have automated ticket machines. Metro is also launching a Fast-Fare system in preparation for the launch of the new corridor.

Metro will continue to provide updates on the launch of the rapid bus transit. Later this month, and in early September, Metro will be hosting opening houses at several BRT sanctions around the city. 

More details can be found on the Metro's website and social media channels. 

RACINE—Ryde Racine, Racine’s public transit system, is about to undergo major changes it calls the WisGO Program.

The City of Racine’s Transit Commission voted to proceed with the WisGO transit program, which aims to improve affordability and accessibility. Starting this fall, these changes will transform how residents use public transportation.

Transit and mobility director Trevor Jung said the measures, approved at the July 25, 2024, meeting, include fare capping, replacing the 10-ride pass with a weekly pass, and reducing the monthly pass cost.

“This is important because it creates flexibility for riders and reduces barriers to board the bus,” he said. “Right now, if you haven’t gone to a satellite location to purchase a bus pass or have exact change, you can’t board. With this new system, you can use a smartphone or a reloadable smart card, making it easier to take advantage of public transportation.”

How the WisGo program works

RYDE on, Racine, RYDE on. – Credit: Paul Holley

One of the most notable changes is the introduction of fare capping.

This system ensures that riders will not be charged more than a set amount within a specified period, typically a day or a week. After reaching this cap, users can continue to use the transit services without incurring additional charges. 

“The fare capping system takes into account your usage and then caps the amount of money you spend, ensuring you don’t overpay for transportation,” he said.

In addition, the Transit Commission will consider replacing the existing 10-ride pass with a weekly pass at their meeting on August 29. This new pass will allow unlimited weekly rides, simplifying the fare structure and offering greater flexibility for regular commuters. 

“We are changing our 10-ride pass to a weekly pass and adjusting its price. This change is expected to make the system more user-friendly, as riders will no longer need to keep track of their remaining rides,” said Jung.

Furthermore, the monthly pass cost will be reduced by one dollar. While this reduction may seem small, it demonstrates the city’s commitment to making public transit more affordable and accessible to a broader population. 

“We are reducing the monthly payments from $65 to $64. Even small reductions help make a difference for our riders,” Jung added.

What’s the price tag?

City officials describe the changes as budget-neutral and align with Racine’s broader goals of sustainability and decarbonization. The city hopes to reduce reliance on personal vehicles, decrease traffic congestion, and lower carbon emissions by making public transit more affordable. 

“These changes not only help individuals but also support our sustainability goals by encouraging more people to use public transportation,” Jung said.

Ridership is on the rise

The ridership of Ryde Racine has increased by 40% compared to 2022-23 and is expected to continue growing, potentially breaking a million unique rides. This significant increase can be attributed to several factors:

1. Focus on ridership as a priority: The transit system has prioritized increasing ridership, which has driven efforts to make public transportation more appealing and accessible.
2. Partnerships with local organizations: Collaborations with the Racine Unified School District, Gateway Technical College, and other institutions have made accessing public transportation easier for students and community members.
3. Marketing efforts: Targeted marketing campaigns have raised awareness about the benefits and availability of the transit system.
4. Natural recovery from the pandemic: As the community recovers, more people return to public transportation.
5. Community Engagement: Efforts such as job fairs, which have been organized in collaboration with the United Way of Racine County, and employer surveys have highlighted the value of public transportation and encouraged its increased usage.

Implementation and Future Considerations

Following the City of Racine’s fare change policy, the Transit Commission has deferred the final decision on these changes to the next meeting. This delay ensures that public feedback is thoroughly considered before implementing the new fare structure. 

“From now until October, we’re focusing on raising awareness about these changes through advertisements, direct communications with riders, and tabling at the transit center,” said Jung.

As the city prepares to roll out these changes, further details on the implementation process will be discussed in upcoming meetings. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and participate in the discussions to help shape the future of public transit in Racine.

APPLETON (WLUK) --Major upgrades are coming to the Valley Transit Center following a boost in funding, and officials believe the improvements will make a big difference for the community.

In late June,Appleton's Valley Transit Center announced a remodeling project that will rebuild the station and construct affordable housing units above the facility.

The project was made possible by a $25 million federal grant from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)program and $1.8 million in city ARPA funds.

On Tuesday, officials held a news conference to explain the impact the new Valley Transit Center will have for tens of thousands of people across the region.

"The new transit center will do many things for the public transportation system in the Fox Cities, and in innovative ways that reduce our impact on the environment," said Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford. "But to me, the most important thing this project will do is for the people it is designed to serve. This new transit center is about the dignity and worth of hardworking people who rely on public transportation and affordable housing to live meaningful lives and provide for their families every day."

The new facility will be more energy-efficient and include 14 covered bus bays, public restrooms, secure bike storage, vending machines, a ticketing office and other infrastructural upgrades.

Rendering of the new Valley Transit Center, June 24, 2024. (Photo courtesy: City of Appleton)

Ronald McDonald, general manager ofValley Transit, described more upgrades featured in the remodel.

We'll have new and updated waiting areas with other amenities. We'll increase the security presence, we'll have an office inside for our transit security, as well as an office functioning as a substation for the Appleton Police Department for their officers in the area.

We expect to have some AV charging stations near us. We'll have parking for taxis, Uber, Lyft and other mobility utilities. We'll have new and updated tactile floor sensors for people to be able to navigate the area. We'll have real time, on-demand announcements for our passengers.

Also speaking Tuesday was State RepresentativeLee Snodgrass, D-57th District, and White HouseDirector of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Tom Perez. Both praised the project and what it will do for Fox Valley residents.

"This project, this is a real point of pride. This is a big deal. What you're doing and how you're doing it -- and your savviness in accessing the federal funding streams -- that's what it's all about. It's about rebuilding and reconnecting communities, expanding opportunity. And that is why I am so excited," Perez said.