LamersConnect service started in January and offers DAILY service between La Crosse and Green Bay with stops in Tomah (Amtrak Station), Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton, and DePere!
The bus arrives at the Transit Center at 12:35 p.m. and leaves for the return trip at 2:50 p.m. They are still working out logistics because the Minneapolis bus also uses the Transit Center daily (leaves at 1:25 p.m., arrives at 2:35 p.m.)
This is a great new connecting that is really needed!
First, a bill has been introduced in the state legislature to permit Regional Transit Authorities. Senate Bill 754 was introduced by Senator Kelda Roys and has several co-sponsors including Representative Jill Billings. Please contact your state assembly person and Senator Brad Pfaff encouraging them to support this bill. Find contact information here: https://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/ Learn more about the bill at https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/sb754
The La Crosse Area Planning Committee is in the middle of its Regional Transportation Safety Plan initiative (Safe Streets for All) which involves how people get around, including public transit. The survey is still live. Weigh in here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LAPCSS4ASurvey.
Last chance to comment on the State of Wisconsin 2050 Rail Plan amendment. Learn more and find the comment form here: https://www.wisdotplans.gov/announcement-pages/wisconsin-rail-plan-update The deadline for public input is January 15.
On Tuesday, January 13 at 5:30 p.m. the La Crosse MTU ADA Advisory Committee will meet online and in person. You can download the agenda and access information here: https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=AADA&ID=1376829&GUID=BBA833F1-D913-4B21-A8C7-32CCCF80505D
On Wednesday, January 14 at 11:45 a.m., some La Crosse area transit advocates will have lunch at Pickerman's on Jay Street across from the Transit Center. It's an informal get together. If you are interested, come on down. That same evening at 6:30 p.m. La Crosse Area Transit Advocates will hold its January LATA Leaders meeting on Zoom. We will discuss Transit Equity Days planning and follow up SMRT bus ideas. Please email us for access info if you would like to attend the one-hour meeting.
On Thursday, January 15, the La Crosse Area Planning Committee's Advisory Committee on Transit and Active Transportation will meet online beginning at 3:30 p.m. The agenda and access information is here: https://www.lacrossecounty.org/metropolitan-planning-organization/committees/committee-on-transit-and-active-transportation
On Monday, January 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a few transit advocates will take a SMRT trip to Viroqua from La Crosse. We will take the bus mid-morning (yellow-2) SMRT from La Crosse, arriving in Viroqua at about 11 a.m. There are several return options throughout the afternoon. Fare is $5 cash each way paid to the driver. If you want to join us, please email and we can give you more details
Liz Fryseth is working with La Crosse School District 4th and 5th graders to help them become transit advocates! She is set up with State Road School classes but would like to include the schools that will be closing—Harry Spence, Hintgen, and Emerson. If you know of grade 4 and 5 parents or teachers at these schools who might be interested in helping, please email us at LaCrosseTransitAdvocates@proton.me for more information.
We are looking for a couple of people to help hand out mini Transit Equity Day flyers from 6:15 to 7 p.m. at the MLK Jr Community Celebration on Monday, January 19 at the Viterbo Fine Arts Center. Please email if you can help.
We are looking for a few people to take a shift tabling about Transit Equity Day at the Transit Center. between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Can you spend an hour there? If yes, please email.
We may be looking for a few Viroqua area people to help with a transit outreach on or about February 4. More details in a couple of weeks!
We still haven't heard how transit riders and advocates can help improve and support the SMRT bus this year. If we learn of opportunities, we'll let you know and post info at our web page.
SAVE THE DATES:
Wednesday, February 4 (Transit Equity Day) – OPEN HOUSE at the Grand River Station Transit Center, 314 Jay Street between 4 and 7 p.m. More details coming soon! Look for an email later this month with a flyer and ask – we want to get as many elected officials to the open house as possible.
Tuesday, February 17 – The Coalition for More Responsible Transportation in Wisconsin (CMRT) is planning a 6 p.m. webinar on Challenges and Opportunities for Wisconsin Public Transportation in the New Year.
Tuesday, February 24 is Passenger Rail Legislative Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol. All Aboard Wisconsin is organizing the event. We will have details, when they are available, at our website.
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/
Have a happy holiday season and sate travels!
LATA
Connect with transit advocates in Vernon County on Wednesday, December 3 by riding the Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit (SMRT) bus from La Crosse to Viroqua!
Leave from La Crosse between about 9:14 and 9:45 (see schedule below) and arrive in Viroqua at about 11. We'll eat lunch and chat with Viroqua area transit advocate friends, then come right back or stay and come back later - there are several options. See the Blue and Yellow route schedules. Space is limited. Cost is $5 cash each way (paid to the driver – no change!)
The lunch cost is $5 for chicken thighs, red potatoes, creamed corn, peach cobbler. OR you can bring your own lunch. (If you want to order lunch, you MUST RSVP by 11/30 evening!)
Pick up the SMRT at
Please RSVP by November 30 at https://tinyurl.com/ridesmrt120325
We are still overjoyed by the La Crosse County Board's decision to fund the SMRT for 2026 to give time to adjust and fix the system. BUT, that was just one step in the path back to service.
Because the County Administrator had informed partners that the SMRT may not continue in 2026, some may have removed their share of funding from their budgets. So, now we have to make sure everyone gets back in the game.
Some Vernon County Save the SMRT advocates have reached out to their county board member, noting that La Crosse wants to make sure other counties are chipping in their share. They head back about steps forward. If you live in Vernon County, please send another email and plan to show up at another meeting!!
VERNON COUNTY SMRT ADVOCATES!!!
1. EMAIL board@vernoncountywi.gov with your advocacy stories! Even if you have already emailed, send them another one. If you cannot attend the November 9 budget meeting, that's a good reason to email again.
2. SHOW UP AND SPEAK at the upcoming budget at 9 AM on Thursday, November 20 in the County Board Room of the Courthouse Annex.
These action suggestions come from a Vernon County board member who plans to introduce an amendment to restore funding for the SMRT bus at the budget meeting that will follow the public hearing. The board member notes, "That potential budget change will be more effective if there are constituents who have made the board know the importance of this issue."
If you use the SMRT to get from Vernon County to someplace else or if you use the SMRT to get TO Vernon County, please weigh in!!
We just got word that County Board Supervisor Mader reintroduced his resolution to add $157,000 to the La Crosse County budget for 2026 to keep operating the SMRT in 2026 AND IT PASSED 18 to 12!!!
This is is such a miracle that it's hard to believe it's true, but we even got confirmation in the form of a pic of the vote board, so it must be real!
This is the direct result of everyone who circulated and signed petitions, all those who called and emailed county board members, put up flyers, talked to friends, workers who asked their employers to weigh in, people who testified at public meetings, and who helped spread the word on social media. AND we must especially thank County Board Supervisors Dillon Mader, who championed this cause from the start, and Maureen Freedland, who spoke so eloquently at the meeting.
🎉🍾🎊 We must celebrate!!!🎉🍾🎊
BUT we should also be aware that other partners will also need to chip in, too, including some that may not have put SMRT funding into their budgets. So, there is more work to be done. (Another bit of good news is that the WISDOT grant we'd been told was out of reach because the application deadline had passed actually has an early December deadline!)
We will learn more tomorrow and put out more details. If we need to do more strategizing and outreach, we can hold Zoom meeting.
