December updates

We will do a SMRT ride from La Crosse to Viroqua on Wednesday, December 3, leaving La Crosse mid-morning and arriving in Viroqua at about 11 a.m. The fare is $5 each way paid in cash to the driver (no change!) We will meet up with some Viroqua area transit advocates for lunch and talk and then return on our own. The lunch is $5 and the menu is Chicken Thighs, Red Potato, Creamed Corn, Peach Cobbler. Or you can bring your own. Please sign up by the end of day on November 30. at https://tinyurl.com/ridesmrt120325

LATA Leaders will meet on Wednesday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. online. We will mostly discuss Feb. 4 Transit Equity Day and 2026 programming. If you would like to join us, please reply to this email and I will send you a link to the meeting.

 

Also, on December 3 at noon, the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at UW-Milwaukee is hosting a webinar on “Transit Priority – Improving Public Transit Through Collaboration.” Register to attend or to receive the link to the recording at https://uwm.edu/architecture/event/transit-priority-improving-public-transit-through-collaboration/

And, on December 3, America Walks will host a Week Without Driving wrap up online at 1 p.m. Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/b7frTnFjQjOLjPbjQRK01w?_x_zm_rtaid=wU0PiuXNTl-IQbPy4KVF1g.1763049628045.709d8f8d08fd690b03cd8abfa2412c4b&_x_zm_rhtaid=195#/registration

SMRT Bus update: Thanks to Vernon County advocates and the 800+ petition signers, Vernon County added SMRT funding back into its 2026 budget. There are still gaps, though and we hope to hear what the next steps will be soon. We know a La Crosse County board supervisor recommended a steering committee be set up and several Vernon County board supervisors said they would like to be more represented in decision-making going forward. If we hear of opportunities for SMRT riders to provide input and suggestions, we will let you know. If you hear of something, please let us know.

The MTU December board meeting is canceled. There will be one in February.

On November 5, State Senator Kelda Roys and State Representative Mike Bare introduced legislation that would resurrect Retional Transit Authorities in our state. Their bill would allow for an RTA for each state Metropolitan Planning Organization. This would allow local units of government to operate and fund regional public transit. RTAs were in Governor Evers' 25-27 budget that was scrapped by the legislature. A copy of the bill can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZKgsVVm-LV9yDpk95OBxrXeZCw9fKnNH/view?usp=sharing Please contact Sen. Brad Pfaff and your State Representative and ask them to co-sponsor this bill. Find contact info here: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/about/contact

While you're at it, please ask them to join the new Passenger Rail Caucus, too. Read more about that here: https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/09/15/legislatures-new-passenger-rail-caucus-wants-to-see-train-service-open-the-throttle/

On Thursday, December 11 at 8:30 p.m., the Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) HolidayTrain will be at the La Crosse Amtrak Station to put on  a live concert and raise money for local food banks. A cargo car is turned into a stage (performers include American Authors and Pynk Beard) and the event is free with guests encouraged to bring non-perishable food and/or cash donations. 

Have a happy holiday season and sate travels!

LATA