RACINE, WI — A new campaign from RYDE Racine puts bus riders front and center to show how public transportation shapes daily life in Racine for the passengers who use it.
The #WhyWeRYDE campaign, launched this summer, features real residents sharing their stories of how they rely on public transit to get to work, school, medical appointments, and more. With photos and video testimonials, RYDE Racine is offering a more personal look at the people behind the ridership numbers.
Trevor Jung, Transit & Mobility Director for the City of Racine, said the campaign is designed to connect with people who may not use the bus system but should understand its value.
“By telling real people’s stories, you can really connect with people who might themselves not take public transportation, but who then can see the value in it as a service,” Jung said.
Campaign features real RYDE Racine users
To find the people featured in the campaign, RYDE Racine used a mix of outreach tools, including a survey shared on social media, posters at the transit center, and signs on buses asking riders to nominate themselves or someone they know. From those responses, a diverse group of participants was selected to reflect the range of rider experiences in eastern Racine County.
So far, the campaign has featured:
- Bill Anderson, who uses the bus to get to work at Twin Disc:
“It’s so convenient… just $2 a ride compared to nearly $20 with a rideshare service. The bus drops me right at my job’s doorstep.”
- Michelle Gonzalez, a student-turned-full-time employee who came to Racine from abroad:
“At first it was intimidating… but the drivers were so nice. They helped me figure out which bus to take and where to get off. Now it’s easy.”
Michelle now rides the bus to work, run errands, and explore her new city, she said in a post on the RYDE Racine Facebook page.
“I don’t understand why more people don’t use it,” the post continues.
Why transit matters locally
Despite perceptions to the contrary, RYDE Racine provides over one million rides each year. Jung said one of the most frequent comments from non-riders is the belief that “nobody rides the bus”—a myth this campaign challenges directly.
The need for public transit is especially strong in city centers, where vehicle ownership is lower than in surrounding suburbs.
In Milwaukee, for example, 18% of households don’t have access to a car. In neighborhoods like Harambee and Amani, that figure rises above 30%, according to data from the City of Milwaukee and neighborhood surveys. By contrast, suburban areas in the region typically see car ownership rates well above 85%.
Local data show that Racine’s urban households are significantly more likely to be without a car compared to suburban neighbors in Mount Pleasant or Caledonia.
While exact figures vary by neighborhood, Jung said residents in city centers like Racine, Milwaukee, and Kenosha are twice as likely to lack access to a personal vehicle, making public transit an essential service.
Building a more connected future
Jung said the most common sentiment from riders is one of gratitude. For many, the bus system provides independence, stability, and a path forward.
“This gives them freedom and mobility… to support themselves and their families, to get to doctor’s appointments… a sense of gratitude for this service existing.”
He also sees the campaign as part of Racine’s broader effort to retain young talent. More young professionals, he said, are looking for communities where they don’t need to rely on a car.
“You can still have a productive and liberating life that doesn’t need to be strapped to an individual’s personal vehicle,” Jung said.
Follow the #WhyWeRYDE campaign on RYDE Racine’s Facebook and other social m
https://racinecountyeye.com/2025/07/16/ryde-racine-whyweryde-campaign/
