U.S. DOT Invests $14.5 Million in Better Bus, Reverse Commute Services in Wisconsin

Three grants totaling $14.5 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will help commuters get to and from jobs in Wisconsin, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced today.

“Communities of all sizes have realized the benefits of good transit service,” said Secretary Mineta. “These grants help local communities build transportation networks that help people get to jobs, school and other important destinations.”

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WIDOT) received $10.2 million to pay for vehicle purchases and construction that improve bus service. Wisconsin communities sharing this money include: Appleton with $1.1 million for five new buses and various other improvements; Kenosha with $2.1 million for nine new buses; La Crosse with $2.4 million for a new transit center; Madison with $2.9 million for six new buses and various other improvements; and Racine with $500,000 for a new transit center.

WIDOT also received $1.1 million for its Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) programs. JARC programs provide rides that help low income and unemployed persons access or retain jobs. The money will be used for operating costs, such as driver salaries, and new vehicle purchases. Among other activities, the programs will extend bus routes, and the hours of bus service, provide rides for working parents to child care centers in Milwaukee and Fond du Lac, and fund services through the Kenosha Achievement Center and the city of Racine to help people find the rides that they need to get to work.

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission received a grant of $3.2 million toward a study on commuter rail service in the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Corridor. The line being studied would serve the downtowns of Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee and connect them with other communities along the 33-mile corridor. The project is expected to ease congestion along the corridor and provide connections with large employment and residential locations. SC Johnson and Sons, Inc., Daimler Chrysler Corporation and Case-New Holland Corporation all operate employment centers along the corridor.