At the most recent MTU Board meeting, MTU director, Adam Lorentz announced some exciting NEWS!
The city is getting MANY new buses including "clean diesel" and hybrids. By the end of 2021, the MTU will be running TEN new buses! Funding is coming from the federal government and from the VW settlement money. This will be great for riders and for our environment.
There is ongoing consideration of a NORTHSIDE CIRCULATOR but no details have been announced yet. If you have thoughts about where such a route should go, visit the MTU page and click on the FEEDBACK link at the top..
In addition, using CARES funds, the city is ramping up the air filtration systems in all the buses. This will benefit drivers and passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic and all other times. HEPA level filters will help keep the buses cleaner and healthier.
In addition, the city is retrofitting and ordering for new buses germ barriers in all buses. This will help keep people safer from illness.
FARES WILL BE FREE THROUGH THE END OF 2020. The city has used CARES funding to maintain free fairs though December and to keep contracts for other communities (Onalaska, Town of Campbell, and La Crescent) at the same levels as 2020.
When fares are collected again, there will be a new touchless fare collection system. We don't have details yet, but this is exciting news as it opens other possibilities including capped fares and multi-day passes. More as soon as it's available.
If you have read the very good article the La Crosse Independent about the economics of PERMANENT FARE-FREE BUSES, please do. This is something more and more communities are doing and there are lots of benefits to consider.
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