Talking Transportation

On Thursday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m., the Coalition for More Responsible Transportation will host its next transportation-related webinar. Join us ONLINE for a talk about WHY TRANSPORTATION MATTERS: Communicating with decision-makers. 

"Get advice from a local politician on what works and how to communicate, hear personal stories from.transportation advocates around the state, and learn to tell your own story."

RSVP at this link for access information including alternate access options.

AND

Due to the pandemic and restrictions on the size of meetings, the WisARP (Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers) fall meeting will be held as a Zoom videoconference. The meeting will be October 24th, from 9:00 am until Noon, or 10:00 am until 1:00 pm, depending on speaker availability. IMPORTANT: Please let me know immediately if you plan to attend. The Zoom license has a participation limit and we need to know if we will need to increase that limit. Thanks. 

Mark Weitenbeck
weitenbeck@sbcglobal.net

Good news! New buses!

Great news released today!! La Crosse applied for 2 Hybrid buses late last year and today received notification approving these buses! More details will be available at the October MTU Board meeting.

The hybrids are Diesel/ Electric. The bus runs electric until it gets to a certain speed where the diesel kicks in.  During the time of the diesel engine running the batteries are recharging.  

Gov. Evers, WisDOT, DOA Announce $18 Million in Public Transit Grants for Wisconsin Communities

Grants will enable Beloit, Wausau, Sheboygan, Madison, Eau Claire, Racine, Green Bay, and La Crosse to purchase a total of 34 public transit buses

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary-designee Craig Thompson and Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Joel Brennan, today announced $18 million in public transit grants for Wisconsin communities.   “Wisconsinites from Beloit to Eau Claire depend on reliable public transit systems for everything from getting to work or school safely, visiting the doctor, and everyday things like grabbing groceries,” said Gov. Evers. “It is not only a more sustainable form of travel, but it is also an economic driver, and this critical investment will support communities across our state.”  The grants are part of the second round of State of Wisconsin Transit Capital Assistance Grants made possible through the Volkswagen Mitigation Program and will enable the transit systems in Beloit, Wausau, Sheboygan, Madison, Eau Claire, Racine, Green Bay, and La Crosse to purchase a total of 34 public transit buses. A complete list of grants can be found here. “This is a much needed boost to capital investment in our public transit systems, investments that will increase fleet performance and reduce maintenance costs,” said WisDOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson. “We know that reliable transportation is critical for many Wisconsinites,” said DOA Secretary Brennan. “I am proud we can support these communities by investing in their public transportation efforts through these grants. A Wisconsin Supreme Court decision earlier this year overturned the governor’s veto authorizing a $10 million grant program for electric vehicle charging station infrastructure. The decision did not affect capital transit grants. The first round of Transit Capital Assistance Grants was competitively awarded in 2019, providing $32 million of Volkswagen funds to 10 communities to replace 58 eligible public transit buses. The DOA negotiates the final grant amounts and specific bus replacement plans with the local transit systems.