The state will start planning how to connect Madison to Chicago, Milwaukee and the Twin Cities via passenger rail with $500,000 in development grants from the Federal Railroad Administration.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will receive a total of $2.5 million statewide for planning new Amtrak routes from the Corridor Identification and Development program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced Wednesday in a press release. While the money for Madison planning will go to DOT, it will help the city move forward on its own planning for an Amtrak station.

Specifically, the Corridor ID program will support the creation of new routes on the existing Hiawatha service line from:

• Milwaukee to Madison to Eau Claire

• Eau Claire to the Twin Cities

• Milwaukee to Green Bay

• Chicago via La Crosse to St. Paul

The funds will also help make improvements on the existing Milwaukee to Chicago line.

“It's a huge win for moving passenger rail forward in Wisconsin, including Madison,” said Liz Callin, a transportation planner for the city who oversees the Amtrak station project. “Having those routes being accepted into the corridor ID program is a crucial component, certainly for the Madison station development. This is a unique opportunity, and we're thrilled to see these efforts moving forward.”

The passage of the infrastructure bill in 2021 freed up historic levels of funding for a new intercity passenger rail service in Madison. In December 2022, the city started planning how to use that money and looking for a location for a future station. 

Madison staff members are conducting a station study to help build the local stop on the corridor.

The city is considering six potential areas: near the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, downtown near Monona Terrace, on First Street and East Washington Avenue, on the near east side to the west of Fair Oaks Avenue, the site of the former Oscar Mayer plant, and lastly, near the Dane County Regional Airport.

Callin said she and other staff members have spent the last year diving into details and narrowing specific sites where a station could work. She hopes to present those to the public in January or February.

The city has budgeted money for that work, dubbed the station study, which is separate from the Corridor ID program but necessary, according to Callin. Neither can happen without the other. 

“This is like a crucial milestone because, of course, you don't have a route to Madison, and we, of course, don't have the station,” Callin said. “There are all these pieces to this puzzle that we're putting together."

"We are working with WisDOT in supporting route development. It's a partnership," she said.

In combination with the other routes, this proposed expansion of the Hiawatha line, which currently operates only between Milwaukee and Chicago, is building out the route incrementally, Callin said. Now various communities will start fleshing out the route development process, with planning, design and engineering.

“The next piece would then be actually the construction,” Callin said. 

As of now, Amtrak projects the initial trip times from Madison to Milwaukee will take one hour and 48 minutes, while the ride from Madison to Chicago will take three hours and 18 minutes.

No plans now for state funding

Madison tried to get high speed passenger rail in the city over a decade ago, a project that was ultimately killed by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has been vocal about her support for bringing passenger rail service to the city despite pushback from Republican state leaders. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said there would be "no state funding" for the project last year.

Callin said, at this point, the city is not pursuing any state funding sources.

“One of the great things about this Corridor ID program is that it is a 100% federally funded program, which is extremely rare in transportation,” she said, explaining how there is no local match requirement. “Wisconsin is extremely successful in their application; they got all four of the corridors they applied for, and it's all fully federally funded. It’s just a great opportunity.”

Rhodes-Conway said in a statement that this funding from the infrastructure law is “an important step” in the process. 

“The city is already working to identify an accessible station site that would meet operational needs and encourage economic development,” the mayor said. “Our hope is that a new Madison Amtrak station would become a dynamic destination woven into the fabric of our vibrant city, and that rail service will better connect us to our neighbors in Milwaukee, Eau Claire and beyond.” 

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify that the federal grant money was awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, which is planning the new Amtrak routes.

Read the full article here.

PONTOON BEACH — The enchantment of the holiday season is once again rolling through the streets of Madison County with the return of the Madison County Transit (MCT) “Holiday Bus.” 

This tradition celebrates the spirit of giving, delivering the gift of a complimentary public bus ride to MCT passengers who step aboard one of these special buses throughout the month of December. In 2022, MCT Holiday Buses accounted for more than 3,800 free rides.

Through Dec, 31, MCT will enhance passengers’ travel experience by deploying the Holiday Bus daily on three MCT buses of varying sizes. These festive buses will embark on randomly assigned routes daily throughout the MCT service area.

A delightful surprise awaits passengers boarding the Holiday Bus when they encounter a farebox playfully wrapped like a present, symbolizing the gift of a free ride. The buses may also be adorned with additional festive decor.

"Our passengers really appreciate the surprise of stepping on to an MCT Holiday Bus and receiving a free ride on that trip,” said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. “And our drivers, who are our goodwill ambassadors year-round, love the opportunity to spread a little holiday cheer and bring some joy into the lives of the people we serve.” 

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this festive tradition. Step aboard MCT, for your chance to experience a little holiday magic and joy this December.
 
For more information about the services offered by MCT, visit mct.org, email info@mct.org, or call 618-797-INFO (4636).

Read the full article here.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Bus fares for Fond du Lac Area Transit will increase in the new year.

Starting Jan. 2, 2024, fixed route cash fares will now be $2 for adults, increased from the current $1.50 rate. Youth, elderly and riders with disabilities will see similar increases. Ten ride passes and monthly passes also jump to new 2024 pricing.

The rate increase was approved by the Fond du Lac City Council during recent budget discussions on Nov. 8.

In addition, ADA and non-ADA specialized paratransit HandiVans rates will rise to $4 from the current $3 and monthly adult passes will increase to $40, and student monthly passes will increase to $34.

Fares remain unchanged for student summer passes.

For a full list of all transit rates for 2024, click here.

This fare adjustment will support rising costs and prevent service reductions or cuts.

The new fares bring Fond du Lac Area Transit prices closer to rates charged in similar public transportation systems in the state.

Read the full article here.

GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- Another step in the process has been reached to possibly bringing passenger rail back to Northeast Wisconsin for the first time in more than 50 years. However, a lot still needs to happen.

A $500,000 federal grant has been awarded to study the possibility of extending passenger rail service from Milwaukee to Green Bay.

“We're anticipating there would certainly be a demand for it,” said Eric DeKorne, Vice President of Development for Greater Green Bay Chamber.

DeKorne says businesses have been contacting the chamber about their support for a train.

Chambers across the state teamed up to write a letter, applauding the grants, which were also awarded to study rail expansion for four routes in the western and southern parts of the state.

“We're hearing that businesses would be in support of it to try to help economic impact throughout the community, helping with talent and attraction and also helping with tourism as well,” said DeKorne.

The Green Bay to Milwaukee train would make stops in Appleton, Oshkosh, and Fond du Lac.

Amtrak estimates it would take 2 hours and 50 minutes one way and would operate round trip three times a day. That compares to about 2 hours or less in a car and 2 hours and 25 minutes for the Amtrak bus that currently runs directly between Green Bay and Milwaukee.

“Right now, we know approximately 35 people a day use the buses on that same route,” said State Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay.

Members of the Republican-controlled state legislature, like Wimberger, have been skeptical of investing in passenger rail expansion. Wimberger says he isn't against public transportation and doesn't see harm in studying the issue, but he doubts the state and local matching funds likely needed would be worth it.

“The idea that people are suddenly going to switch to a train, I just don't see it,” said Wimberger.

“It's one of those things we have to keep pushing forward and the fact we have this funding that we can do this study, hopefully that will give us the tools and the data that we need to move that decision in the direction we're hoping for,” said Becky Bartoszek, President and CEO of Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.

If the right people can be convinced, Amtrak has said after all the studies are completed, it typically takes six to 10 years to get a rail corridor operational.

Amtrak has previously told FOX 11 there are tracks capable of reaching 79 miles per hour between Milwaukee and Neenah, but signals would need to be upgraded to reach that speed on tracks to Green Bay.

The study is expected to identify the scope, schedule and cost estimate for preparing a service development plan.

Five new routes in Wisconsin have been selected to receive $500,000 each in planning and development grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) program.

The Corridor ID Program is a comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development program that will help guide intercity passenger rail development throughout the country and create a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation.

Through the Corridor ID Program, the following projects will receive funding:

Milwaukee to Green Bay: The proposed Corridor would connect the existing Hiawatha service between Chicago and Milwaukee with an extension to Green Bay.

Milwaukee to Chicago: The proposed Corridor would provide improvements to the existing Hiawatha service between Milwaukee and Chicago, by adding new frequencies.

Milwaukee to Madison to Eau Claire: The proposed Corridor would connect Milwaukee to Minneapolis through Madison and Eau Claire. The proposed Corridor would provide new service on an existing alignment.

Eau Claire to Twin Cities: The proposed Corridor would connect St. Paul to Eau Claire. The proposed Corridor would provide a new service on an existing alignment.

Chicago via La Crosse to St. Paul: The proposed Corridor would initiate a new daily round-trip between Chicago and St. Paul to complement the existing Amtrak long-distance Empire Builder, with an extension to Minneapolis

Read the full article here.

OZAUKEE COUNTY — It seems like, as one county Public Works Committee member said, the Ozaukee County Express Bus service may have nine lives.

The Ozaukee County Public Works Committee agreed last week to postpone a decision on the bus service for 90 days until its meeting in February to collect more data.

The Ozaukee County Express provides county residents working in Milwaukee County a fixed-route service between Ozaukee County and downtown Milwaukee during peak commuter hours.

When the committee voted to begin the process of terminating the bus service late last month, it was looking at plummeting ridership numbers.

But then the number of riders doubled in October from September; riders and some county supervisors say this could be because Washington County’s Commuter Express closed after Sept. 29.

Prior to seeing the data from October, Committee member Michelle Godden told the committee she believed the bus service was done. While she said the cost is still not at a sustainable rate, Godden supported waiting on a decision.

"I do think it would be premature to terminate today," she said.

According to the county’s data on transit ridership, 2023 monthly ridership numbers are roughly 85% lower than 2019.

When compared to last year, 2023 shows a continued decline in ridership each month at approximately 50% since June. In April and May, ridership was down by 31.8% and 40.2% respectively from 2022.

The data shows that there were 449 passengers on the OCE in September, which in comparison is down by 51.2% from 2022 and 89.2% from 2019.

Ozaukee County Transit Superintendent Kara Ottum told the committee last month that there has been a downward trajectory in ridership prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But in October, there were 833 riders, though in comparison it’s down by 20.1% from 2022 and down by 82.8% from 2019.

County officials believe the closure of the Highway C (Pioneer Road) Park & Ride has also affected ridership, but that is scheduled to reopen in December.

The net cost per ride, which is the cost after fares, has also significantly increased over the years. In 2010, the then net cost per ride was $8.04, while in September of this year was $87.64, according to ridership data. However, the net cost per ride went down to $50.86 in October.

The committee held a public hearing in August 2022 about the bus service and heard from under a dozen people and received multiple emails in support of continuing it.

Following that, the committee directed staff to work with the Milwaukee County Transit System to reduce the overall services and move forward with a request for proposals for the service beginning in 2023. GO Riteway was awarded the 2023 contract for Shared Ride Taxi and Express Bus, and has been operating the OCE with smaller vehicles, providing three morning and four afternoon runs.

After the committee’s decision last month, it held a public hearing last week Tuesday. Thirteen people spoke in favor of the bus service. Ozaukee County Highway Commissioner Jon Edgren added that the county also received over a dozen emails.

“In talking with other riders … we really do feel that this is a very valuable service to all of us,” said rider Jill Haupt of Grafton, adding that there are many riders who don’t have any other means of transportation to get to their jobs. “I just think that it would really be a travesty to take this service away from us.”

Many of the commenters that night said they’ve seen an increase in riders in October and suggested ideas for how to save money and advertise the bus service.

Commenters also claimed that sometimes the system GO Riteway uses to collect data on the number of riders doesn’t work when they get on the bus.

Dan Cramer, director of operations contracted services of GO Riteway was at the committee meeting last week following the public hearing and said they do have issues with their system “from time to time” but they are “checks and balances” to make sure they are getting accurate data.

He said the drivers of the buses have a note system where they can note the number of riders and any issues they had.

“They also bring it to me and on the back side we can adjust the numbers,” Cramer added.

Cramer also said they have a camera system on the buses that they can also look back on and check.

When Committee Chairman Marty Wolf asked how confident Cramer was in the data they received on the number of riders per month, Cramer said in the “97th percentile.”

Godden suggested that the drivers also have hand counters so that not only they can double check their numbers, but also show riders that they are trying to be accountable.

Cramer told Godden they could get those for drivers “tomorrow.”

“I think it’s time to stop the service whether it’s this month or next month or four months,” said Committee member Justin Strom.

Committee member Tom Grabow suggested giving the bus service 90 days. He also said they should try to reach out to college students to use the bus service.

In other business, the committee approved of an intergovernmental agreement with the village and town of Grafton regarding the design, construction, maintenance and repairs of improvements to the intersection of Port Washington Road (Highway W) and Falls Road.

The village of Grafton was interested in installing traffic signals and was asking the county to partner in cost-sharing for the project and for the county to take over ownership of the traffic signals upon completion, according to the agenda information. The committee agreed to contribute 20% to the costs of the project.

The committee also agreed to contract with Traffic Analysis & Design Inc. on a Wisconsin Department of Transportation Highway Safety Improvement Program application agreement for North Port Washington Road (Highway W) and Pioneer Road (Highway C).

Read full article here.

Construction is underway in Madison as the city works to become the second Wisconsin community to implement a revamped public transportation model known as bus rapid transit.

Bus rapid transit, or BRT, seeks to shorten commute times with more frequent stops at fewer, but more centrally-located stations.

Proponents say BRT harnesses some of the benefits of a light rail sytem, although bus rapid transit is much cheaper for local governments to implement. Rapid transit buses have dedicated lanes and are given priority at intersections. Riders can also pay fares ahead of time at BRT stations in an effort to cut down on delays during boarding.

Milwaukee County launched Wisconsin's first rapid transit line in June. Madison is working to follow suit, as work progresses on a BRT line that's set to come on line in late 2024. That east-west line known as Rapid Route A will run 15 miles from Madison's west side to Sun Prairie, the suburb northeast of Madison.

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said the transportation overhaul is needed to reduce congestion in Wisconsin's fastest growing city.

"It's also going to help us prepare for the influx of jobs coming to Dane County and, frankly, the influx of people," she said. "We know that our unique geography of being on an isthmus just simply can't support more folks driving alone in their cars, and it's critical that we make transit a viable opportunity for everyone in our community."

Madison officials expect to cover the project's estimated $194 million cost through a combination of federal grants and local funding. That includes a $110 million to help build the east-west line from a Federal Transit Authority grant.

Roadwork for the project began in 2022 and, as of this month, concrete work had been completed for about three quarters of the route's planned 31 bus stations, Madison Metro Transit General Manager Justin Stuehrenberg said.

Stuehrenberg said the first rapid transit buses will arrive in Madison next month, with the full fleet of 46 buses expected by next summer. Those 60-foot electric buses will have capacity for more riders compared to Madison's existing city buses.

"This is not your grandfather's bus," said Kelley Brookins, a regional administrator with the Federal Transit Authority. "BRT provides modern-looking vehicles that are faster and more efficient than the typical American bus."

Planning is underway to develop a second Madison-area BRT line, which could begin operations in 2027. Public input meetings for that north-south line began this month.

Read the full story here.

MILWAUKEE — At the Milwaukee County Transits Headquarters, students from different high schools are learning about public transportation.

These teens are part of Milwaukee County Transit System's (MCTS) Teen Transit Advisory Board. For Tequon Green, it's his second year being a part of the program. He said he joined because he has a passion for public transportation.

"Being a part of the MCTS Teen Transit Advisory gives me the opportunity to connect with the community in ways that I wouldn't have initially done," said Green.

The teens will share about how transportation impacts them and learn about the inner workings of the transit system.

"We want to get them out to visit different stations like the KK station and Fond du Lac station and get to meet the mechanics, operators, and get really familiar with them," said Coordinator Biltu Hamda.

On Wednesday, the teens got to design their transportation route and bus systems, ideas that MCTS leaders say are important to listen to.

"It's important to uplift and highlight the voices of our young people," said Hamda.

"One thing I learned last year is, we might not think that we're so needed now, but in the future, we are needed because we are the future of MCTS," said Kydell Amos, a second-year member of the Teen Advisory Board.

"I think planners need to hear how young people experience the city, where they're going, how they're riding the bus, what they like, what they don't like," said Daniel Stein, a former MCTS Teen Transit Advisory Board Member.

Daniel Stein was part of the advisory board last year; he is now a student at UW Madison and said he will take what he has learned from the board into his future career.

"I'm really optimistic about where Milwaukee is headed, both with the bus system and really every other piece of how people get around the city," said Stein.

He hopes to one day work on policy changes for the City of Milwaukee.

"I think transportation is one of the real big issues for me. It defines how I think about the world, and I think it's going to be one where we're going to see a lot of changes in the next 10-20, 30 years," said Stein.

Developing leadership skills is another aspect of the Advisory Board with teens working together to create better transportation and a better future for the city.

"They bring such a unique perspective to different things in life. We really want to not only teach them about transit but also learn from them," said Hamda.

For the teens participating, they get a $25 monthly meeting stipend and receive a free MCTS WisGo bus card.

Full article here.

Wisconsin's largest city has seen recent debate over highway expansion plans amid environmental concerns, and a new study suggested for similar projects, some effects could be limited if narrower traffic lanes are prioritized.

The expansion plan in Milwaukee involves a stretch of Interstate 94. Research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health was more focused on urban roadways with speed limits of around 35 miles an hour.

Shima Hamidi, director of the Center for Climate-Smart Transportation and assistant professor of public health at Johns Hopkins University who helped lead the study, said switching from lane widths between 11 and 12 feet, long the norm, down to 9 feet helps reduce traffic collisions. She pointed out it also leaves more room for options not involving vehicles.

"It will help many people to switch from driving to other modes of transportation, such as biking and walking," Hamidi explained. "Which could result in greenhouse gas emission reductions from transportation."

The study contended with narrower lanes, people will not feel compelled to drive as fast and will be more alert. Hamidi acknowledged while the approach might slow traffic, past research shows minimal effects, which means the changes would not cancel out environmental benefits. Other studies have shown expanding the number of lanes, in general, does not reduce congestion.

Hamidi also noted transportation planners and engineers have expressed liability concerns, but she emphasized her team's study is one of the first to give cities and states firm data, on the traffic safety side, showing skinnier lanes are more effective.

"We are getting more and more interest from transportation planners, mostly at the local level," Hamidi observed. "Cities are eager and interested to really see how this could be implemented."

Hamidi added the next steps involve more research to quantify some of the other impacts, including air pollution. The study issued this month analyzed nearly 1,200 streets in seven cities around the
U.S. The findings come amid a gradual increase in pedestrian fatalities over the past decade.

Read the full article here.

President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes historic investments to support better, more reliable transit service

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced a $110.6 million construction grant award to Madison, Wisconsin, for the new East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The grant, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be used to build a 15-mile route that will provide fast, frequent, clean, and reliable service for the University of Wisconsin, the Madison Central Business District, and other important destinations in Wisconsin’s capital city.

"USDOT is proud to help connect the people of Madison to some of the most important employers and services in the city—including the Capitol, downtown shopping, and UW-Madison—with this grant for new electric bus service," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Madison's East-West BRT battery-electric buses will run 15 miles from the west side of Madison to the City of Sun Prairie in the northeast. Along the way, it will travel through the UW–Madison campus (home to 50,000 students and approximately 20,000 staff), downtown Madison – including the state Capitol – and the East Towne Mall area. At both ends of the line, riders will be able to access the transit system through park-and-ride facilities.

"The East-West BRT will provide speedy service throughout Madison, while helping keep the air clean for generations of Badgers to come," said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. "Bus Rapid Transit has been transforming communities across the country with fast, frequent service along key economic corridors, and Madison is just another community that will benefit from America’s largest ever investment in high-quality public transportation."

The East-West BRT will alleviate traffic congestion on roads throughout the corridor that are among the most crowded in the region. BRT provides a faster, more convenient travel option than conventional buses and is expected to appeal to the estimated 115,000 new residents anticipated to move in and around downtown Madison by 2040.

New bus stations will provide level boarding and shelters enhanced with real-time bus arrival information and security cameras. The 60-foot zero-emission, battery-electric vehicles will run on 9.5 miles of dedicated lanes and receive transit signal priority to speed travelers on their way.

The federal support for the estimated $194.3 million project comes from FTA's Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, which helps communities carry out transformational transit projects.

Full article here.

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County announced Wednesday they have received $219,000 in new federal funding to improve street safety in the suburbs of Greendale, Shorewood, South Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, and West Allis.

According to a statement from County Executive David Crowley's office, the money is part of the federal government's "Safe Streets and Roads for All" program. The money can be used in those five communities to "implement swift solutions to combat reckless driving, calm traffic, and create safer streets for pedestrians, bicyclists, and bus riders."

In total, Milwaukee County has been awarded about $2 million from the feds to improve safety, amid rising levels of reckless driving and general crime on the county's roadways. In July of 2023, the county was awarded $400,000 to fund a study about road safety on 35th Street between Vliet Street and National Avenue.

• Village of Greendale: The Village of Greendale will monitor traffic counts, collect new speed data, and install portable speed bumps and Speed Trailers in two different locations throughout the Village. These materials will then be used elsewhere throughout the Village to continue providing more traffic data and draw more attention to its busiest intersections and crossings.
• Village of Shorewood: The Village of Shorewood will install two temporary traffic circles, one set of curb extensions, and one speed table at previously identified high-speed intersections and streets, although the exact number will be confirmed based on actual costs.
• City of South Milwaukee: The City of South Milwaukee will temporarily narrow Chicago Avenue (Highway 32) at the intersection of Oak Street. The project team intends to use multiple pieces of quick-build materials to calm traffic and collect vehicle counts and speed data. Two Speed Trailers will be used at Chicago & Oak in various positions, and then the City of South Milwaukee will place them at other locations known for high speeds, high occurrences of crashes or other traffic safety issues. This funding will also allow the City of South Milwaukee to purchase enough traffic barrels, cones, and lighted signage to provide much higher visibility to this uncontrolled intersection and forewarn motorists about the presence of potential pedestrian crossings.
• City of Wauwatosa: The City of Wauwatosa is receiving funding for two projects: To purchase bollards, flexible rubber stops, planters, plants, soil, and signage, as well as fund the various types of labor needed to deploy temporary traffic circles at various neighborhood intersections throughout the municipality; and To purchase two new camera systems and the necessary equipment for power and connectivity. The funding will also pay for a consultant to analyze the traffic safety data from the camera systems and the City Engineering department personnel to work with the consultant’s findings and help deploy and relocate the systems as needed.
• City of West Allis: The City of West Allis will purchase four 10-foot portable speed humps to be placed at various locations throughout the municipality. The funding will also advance the purchase of necessary signage, evaluation of speed study data, City of West Allis Department of Public Works labor, and promotional letters to residents.

Read the full article here.