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.