TWO DISCONTINUATION HEARINGS NEXT WEEK!

Two area public transportation systems are on the chopping block.

From Abby Vans: Abby Vans has been made aware of a Public Hearing for the residents of the City of Tomah regarding possible discontinuation of the Tomah Transit service effective January 1, 2027. We are sharing this information in case you were not aware. Any interested person, please plan to attend the public hearing on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall, 819 Superior Avenue, Tomah, Wisconsin.

And, we have learned from a La Crosse County Board member that a public hearing on the discontinuation of the SMRT bus will be held by the La Crosse County Board Executive Committee on Tuesday, September 15 at 4:30 p.m. We have not found the public notice in the La Crosse Tribune, we were told it was published on July 30. 

Here is the notice emailed from the County Planning and Zoning Department:

While testimony at the meeting will likely not change the plan to discontinue the SMRT at the end of this year, it is an opportunity to go on the record about the process and the lack of planning for something to replace this vital service. If you are able to attend, please be polite and keep your comments short (I think the time limit is three minutes but it might be two!)

There is no online option for providing testimony. You can learn more about the County Board Executive Committee, including members' email addresses, here:  https://www.lacrossecounty.org/countyboard/committees/standing-committees-boards-and-commissions/executive-committee

Just as the UN has released a report about the dire climate situation if we do not stop fossil fuel emissions immediately, and as the cost of private car ownership becomes ever more unaffordable, we are losing funding and support for public transportation around the country. Taking every opportunity to remind electeds that public transportation is a vital, essential service is important.

Please spread the word. 

September updates AND ACTION ALERT!

Thanks to those of you who attended our Transit Talk & Treats event. To be honest, attendance was low and we are looking at changing things up for next year. On the bright side, the food was plentiful and great and almost everyone won a door prize. We would like to thank those who provided the prizes, including People's Food Co-op, LATA, The Root Note, Pearl Street Books, Kroner's Hardware, and Markos Apparel.

 

CAN YOU HELP? LATA will table at postsecondary back-to-school events this fall: Viterbo on 9/3 between 12:45 and 2:15 p.m. WTC on 9/8 from noon to 1:30 p.m., and UWL on 9/9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon (the later shift is filled). It's a great chance to highlight the availability of car-free transportation options and connect with students. If you can help out by taking a shift at our table, please sign up at https://tinyurl.com/latatablefall26.

The La Crosse Area Planning Committee's advisory Committee on Transit and Active Transportation is scheduled to meet at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 10 in person and online. The meetings are open to the public. The agenda is not yet published but may include ranking of 2026-2030 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) applications. Details about the meeting along with information about the TAP applications can be found at https://www.lacrossecounty.org/metropolitan-planning-organization/committees/committee-on-transit-and-active-transportation

LATA Leaders will meet on Tuesday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. online. The agenda will focus mostly on Week Without Driving planning. If you would like to join the discussion, please call or email us for the link to join (or phone number to call in).

ACTION ALERT!! From the Coalition for More Responsible Transportation. "MCDOT director Joe Lamers sent out this email with an attached template letter. This is regarding a critical issue facing federal transit funding. Please engage your Congressional representative before they return from the summer recess. Also, pass this on to others!" Read details and access the email template here.

On September 8 at 10 a.m., the Cities for Everyone webinar series hosted by Canadian planner Gil Penalosa will feature Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving is Not an Option. These webinars are usually super interesting, especially the Q & A following the presentation. Anna is a founder of national Week Without Driving event. Learn more and register here: https://gpenalosa.ca/webinar

Week Without Driving is October 1 through 8 this year. We are now trying to finalize the schedule of events and hope to have info available by mid-September. There are a few things you can do to help.

1. If you are with an organization, business, faith group, or non-profit that supports the effort to increase transportation options in our community, please consider being a co-sponsor. There's no charge – you just agree to help promote the event and encourage your contacts to participate. Sign up here asap: https://tinyurl.com/wwdlax-cosponsor

2. Call or email your city council representative and county board member. Identify yourself as a transit user or advocate to ask them to participate in Week Without Driving by signing up at https://weekwithoutdriving.org/join and/or scheduling a ride on the MTU between October 1-8 at https://tinyurl.com/wwdlacrosse (after September 13).

3. Write a 250 word letter to the editor about why we need more and better transportation options in our community. You can email your letter to letters@lacrossetribune.com.

4. If you are able, participate in and attend WWD events. At the very least, fill out a WWD bingo card (and maybe win a prize!) which will be available soon at https://tinyurl.com/wwdlacrosse.

5. For more ideas, visit https://weekwithoutdriving.org/participate/