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.

Wondering about Madison’s newly painted red streets?

The city’s new bus rapid transit system will likely start rolling this fall

BY GRAHAM BROWN

GRAHAM BROWN

BRT station 200 block of State Street

The station on the 200 block of State Street is one of 31 now around Madison to serve the city's new bus rapid transit system.

For the past two years construction has proceeded along Madison’s populous bus Route A, which connects East Washington Avenue to downtown Madison and UW-Madison before heading out to Mineral Point Road. Workers have been building the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which promises an unprecedented overhaul in the city’s public transportation.

According to Mike Cechvala, Metro Transit’s capital projects manager, plans for Bus Rapid Transit have been discussed since 2012, with studies done on two potential routes — one running north-south, the other going east-west. In 2017, the city council approved plans for the latter proposal, given its popularity. 

“Route A has really emerged as a high ridership and well-performing route,” Cechvala says. According to city data, 12,000 people use the route every year and officials expect ridership to increase with the new BRT route.

It will cover 15 miles with 31 stations that Cechvala says are “More like rail stations than your typical bus stop.” They will all have full shelter, real-time information, and platforms at the level of the bus floor.

Mick Rusch, Madison’s chief development officer, says “It will be comfortable to wait.”

The buses will be electric and are paid for through President Biden’s infrastructure plan. Rusch calls them the “coolest part” of the overhaul. They are bigger, ADA accessible, and open on both sides, with doors also in the back. A new smartcard system is being introduced, with further details to be announced in coming weeks. While it will start with a physical card, Rusch quickly expects to transition to a QR code and, by early 2025, passengers will be able to board with a credit card or tap to pay.

What makes it a “rapid” transit system is how the buses travel, through red bus-only lanes that cover two-thirds of the route. Cars will not be allowed in this lane with hopes the buses can move unencumbered.

Weather could prove a challenge though. According to a fact sheet provided by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, electric school buses performed best with temperatures in the high 50s. When the temperature dipped to 25°F, their range decreased by 33%. With average winter days in Madison hovering around that level, it remains to be seen how these buses will hold up.

Rusch calls the weather “a very real concern.” He stresses the city is adding 62 of these buses to their fleet, which will give officials the ability to switch them out if one is having problems. “We’ll just have to get creative and learn the new technology,” he says.

The city is currently in the process of installing three new charging stations along the route and is holding off on announcing an official BRT launch date until they are done. Both men expect the line to open in the early fall, with Rusch anticipating a September start.

Cechvala describes the reaction from the community as “interest and excitement,” but acknowledges there are some naysayers and concerns about safety. With the BRT lane on the left side of the road, and the stations in the medians, some worry the combination could be a dangerous situation for pedestrians getting on and off buses.

Cechvala promises plenty of precautions have been taken. Thirty of the stations are at traffic-controlled intersections and the other is on a four-way stop. The platforms have been installed with railings and concrete knee-high walls to offer protection against traffic. He also cites Cleveland, Indianapolis and Albuquerque as examples of cities with successful BRT routes utilizing the median.

Discussions about improving Madison’s public transportation infrastructure have gone on since at least the 1980s, with light-rail, commuter rail and street cars all having their advocates. But in the end, Cechvala says BRT was the model that made the most sense for a city of Madison’s size.

“These are big projects,” Cechvala says. “They take a long time to come to fruition.”

They aren’t done either. Transit’s preliminary community plan for the north-south route was recently approved by the city council, and Rusch says funding has been included in President Biden’s 2025 budget. He’s hopeful Madison’s second BRT line will open in 2027 or 2028.

https://isthmus.com/news/news/wondering-about-madisons-newly-painted-red-streets/

A Milwaukee County Transportation System battery electric bus on November 10, 2022. Staff photo by Ethan Duran

$15M announced for Appleton and Green Bay transit

Appleton and Green Bay are getting more than $15 million in federal funding for zero-emission buses and a new maintenance center.

The money comes from a Federal Transit Administration program stemming from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced the award this week.

A total of $12 million will go to Appleton’s Valley Transit agency and support renovating the Whitman Facility, officials said. The project calls for updated maintenance bays, a new fueling and bus wash lane and an expanded bus storage area. The renovation comes with sustainable features such as a solar array, rainwater collection for washes and electric vehicle charging.

“This grant will help make our vision to deliver a safe, reliable, and ultimately more environmentally sustainable public transportation system for Appleton and the greater Fox Cities,” Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford said in a statement.

Green Bay will get more than $3.1 million to replace its diesel buses with battery electric buses and charging equipment, officials said. Officials added they expect the effort to reduce maintenance costs and the city will be closer to its 100% clean energy goal by 2050.

“I am extremely proud that the City’s efforts to reduce our carbon footprint are receiving recognition and support from the federal government,” said Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich in a statement. “I am thankful to President Biden and (DOT Secretary Pete) Buttigieg for making these funds available, Senator Baldwin for her strong representation and support of our application, and Director Kiewiz for her innovative leadership of Green Bay Metro,” he added.

The FTA’s Low and No Emission and Bus & Bus Facilities grant programs gave federal funding to the state and local government to buy or modernize buses, improve facilities and support hiring. The programs stem from the federal infrastructure law, which will give $5.6 billion through 2026 through the Low-No program and nearly $2 million for the bus facilities program.

In July, Appleton received $25 million to reconstruct the Valley Transit Center.

https://dailyreporter.com/2024/07/12/15m-announced-for-appleton-and-green-bay-transit/

Topping one million annual rides in 2023, public transit ridership in Racine is on the rise with more commuters choosing to take the bus.

Transit Director Trevor Jung told TMJ’s Tahleel Mohieldin it’s a 40 percent increase from the year prior which he also said was more than the usual Covid bounce back.

“We’re doing really well,” Jung said.

He said while nationally on average transit ridership is 80 percent of what it used to be pre-pandemic; the city of Racine is closer to 100 percent.

"I take the bus every day. I rely on it,” commuter Bradley Stout said. “Overall, I'd give it an 8/10."

Jung credits the city’s outreach efforts with area employers, schools, and community non-profits as well as Ryde Racine adding more stops, for the above-average performance.

City leaders believe ridership will continue to rise as they gear up to launch an app-based fare payment system in partnership with Milwaukee County Transit and Waukesha Metro in the fall.

It’s a change Jung said is meant to make it easier to get people where they need to go and one that riders like Monica Navy seem eager to try.

“It’s convenient,” Navy said, “because who doesn’t have a phone?”

More Commuters in Racine Choosing Public Transportation to Get Around

'Where is the bus?' is a question riders in Eau Claire have had for almost a year, but now the city will be rolling out a new bus-tracking app to answer that question.

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - 'Where is the bus?' is a question riders in Eau Claire have had for almost a year, but now the city will be rolling out a new bus-tracking app to answer that question.

Eau Claire will be launching the new app in August through the company EQUANS. It replaces the TransLoc app which was discontinued last July because of what the city called too many software issues. 

The EQUANS app will let people see where their bus is in real time, plan trips, see any detours, and get any updates or announcements to make sure they don't miss their ride.

"If they have to wait in their house and time it so they're not waiting at the bus stop so long, that's huge," Eau Claire Transit manager Ty Fadness said. "Students at the university love it so they can time it that way, so we're really excited it's going to be here before the school year starts. If it's snowing, or rainy, or cold, it's much easier to time and track your routes so you know when the bus is going to be at your stop."

The cost of the tracking service is around $375,000 and is fully funded through the federal CARES Act. Fadness said it will not have an effect bus rates or city taxes and the app will be free for users to download.

Eau Claire Launching New Bus Tracking App This Summer

New Gillig Clean-Diesel Bus. Photo Courtesy of MCTS.

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is taking a big step toward regionalization and bidding to manage the City of Waukesha‘s system: Waukesha Metro Transit.

If awarded the contract, MCTS would manage Waukesha Metro like a third-party government contractor. The City of Waukesha would maintain responsibility for funding the operations and infrastructure needs of the system.

The move is the first major play by MCTS to create a regional transit system, after the launch of a new fare system being adopted by other transit systems in southeastern Wisconsin.

“Ultimately, the hope is to illustrate how a regional approach to public transportation is a key component in growing the region economically,” according to a report by MCTS Deputy Director Julie Esch, which will go before the Milwaukee County Board later this month.

MCTS is already a quasi-governmental private entity and not a government agency. In 1975, Milwaukee County created the non-profit Milwaukee Transport Services, Inc. (MTS) to take over operation of the privately owned and operated Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Company. MCTS, as an entity, is controlled by the MTS board, which is in-turn controlled by the county.

MCTS already has a close working relationship with Waukesha Metro. The two transit agencies collaborated on a connection between MCTS’ new Connect 1 bus rapid transit route and Waukesha Metro route 1 at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center; an attempt at replacing the former GoldLine service that ran into Waukesha.

Waukesha Metro also recently joined MCTS’ fare collection system WisGo, so riders can already pay fares for both transit services through the same mobile application.

The Milwaukee transit system has a long-term structural deficit, which has been winnowing transit service in the county for years, at least until the COVID-19 pandemic infused the system with millions of dollars. The funding will run dry in 2027, and a projected $12.6 million budget deficit will surface. Regionalizing the system, and attracting new financial support from the state or federal government is one way MCTS officials hope to avoid drastic cuts to service. In other words, the transit system would be grown out of its funding crisis.

MCTS is also considering bidding on operating the City of Milwaukee’s streetcar, called The Hop, and taking over FlexRide, a relatively new city-to-suburbs, job-focused transit service, as Urban Milwaukee previously reported.

“Although state legislation does not allow regional transit authorities nor provides for dedicated funding, of any kind, there are opportunities for efficiencies and improved customer experience,” Esch notes.

Waukesha Metro is a modest transit system compared to MCTS. It has a $7.1 million annual budget and 23 buses it operates on 10 routes, which radiate outward from the city’s Downtown Transit Center, serving major local destinations like Waukesha Memorial Hospital, shopping centers and schools, along with a paratransit service with smaller buses and vans.

If MCTS ends up running Waukesha Metro, it may facilitate development of a cross-county bus rapid transit route. The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission spotlighted Waukesha Metro Route 1 for development of a bus rapid transit service in a recent five-year plan for the system. Metro 1 already connects to the county’s nine-mile Connect 1, which runs east and west across Milwaukee County between Downtown and the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center.

“MCTS believes it is best positioned to operate Metro in accordance with RFP requirements and within federal, state, and local regulations,” Esch wrote in the board report. “Additionally, from a regional perspective, MCTS operation of Metro is a logical next step in transit growth for existing and future riders.”

MCTS Bids to Run Waukesha Buses

MILWAUKEE – As the Milwaukee County Transit System looks to grow its footprint in the region, while also juggling the complex funding issues the body has navigated for years, how realistic is the idea of a wider-reaching regional transit authority across not just Milwaukee County, but more of Southeast Wisconsin?

That idea was floated to begin last Wednesday’s Milwaukee County Committee on Transportation and Transit meeting. MCTS Deputy Director Julie Esch says the system is considering a bid to manage both The Hop streetcar and Waukesha METRO when their respective contracts become available later this year and in 2025, respectively.

“Not own the assets, but manage it” said Esch, adding that the FlexRide MKE program could also be brought under the MCTS umbrella within an RTA model.

MCTS President and Managing Director Denise Wandke says a regional transit authority would look more attractive to potential funding sources. “We’re one of the very few systems of our size that don’t have dedicated funding, and I feel that we should look at different ways that we can incorporate some of these other mobility types in order to qualify for an RTA or find additional funding” said Wandke. “It’s putting these things under one roof, and hoping people see the impact that we have, and getting us to that type of funding.”

Currently, mass transportation projects compete for state funds with other non-transit-related projects under the General Purpose Revenue Fund, a move instituted in 2023 by state Republicans. Before that, those transit projects would seek funds from the separate Transportation Fund.

The idea of a regional transit authority in Southeast Wisconsin has been considered before. When a Milwaukee-to-Kenosha commuter rail network was originally proposed in 2009, the project included an RTA to oversee the development and execution of the line. That idea was scrubbed by the state Legislature in 2011 under then-Governor Scott Walker. Another RTA proposed around the same time that would have included MCTS never saw mass support from local elected officials at the time.

While MCTS is not operated by the city, there is support for the idea of a RTA from Milwaukee leadership. In a statement from the office of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, his spokesperson Jeff Fleming tells me the city is open to strengthening the existing relationship between Milwaukee and MCTS, which could also include a change in hands of management operations for The Hop. “If we are going to Grow Milwaukee and strengthen our economic competitiveness as a metro area, we will need a strong and robust public transit system. Whether that should take the form of a formal regional transit authority, mutually-beneficial operating agreements, or other approaches is worth exploring and discussing, including how different options could support the operation and expansion of The Hop” said Fleming.

Third District Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, a noted supporter of transit infrastructure projects amongst his colleagues at City Hall, was even stronger in his conviction that an RTA would benefit the city when I asked him about the concept after the June 11th meeting of the Common Council. Brostoff says a RTA would make systems like The Hop more attractive to federal funding sources than the city asking for the money.

“I think it’s important to keep all options on the table and explore what’s going to be best for the folks of Milwaukee. The county does have a long history and a lot of experience in running a transportation system. Let’s have those conversations and see what’s best for Milwaukeeans” says Brostoff.

In the past, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 has been wary of wider support for RTAs due to legislative opposition. A comment from the union was not provided by the time of this article’s publication.

MCTS told WTMJ last week Wednesday that while no official proposals have been drafted, it is looking ahead at the next structural budget gap coming in 2027, and pursuing all angles to find a solution that leads to solvency. A report by the Milwaukee County Comptroller’s office indicated that by 2027, the estimated gap between operating expenditures and revenues will hit 12.6 million dollars, growing to 17.5 million by 2029, and will “likely fall to the property tax unless new or increased revenue sources are secured.”

While a regional transit authority remains purely hypothetical at this point, one way transit systems in Southeast Wisconsin have become more homogenized is through fare collection under WisGO, which took over MCTS fares from the old M-Card system in 2023. In addition to MCTS, four other transit networks in Wisconsin are either under the WisGO umbrella or will be at least partially on the network by the end of this year:

“Regarding WisGo, the goal is to make travel across the region easy, and having one easy way to pay is helping us meet that goal.” says MCTS Marketing and Communications Manager Anna Schryver.

Read the full article here.