Wausau Transit Commission Tackles Fleet Needs, Summer School Transit, and Staffing Hurdles

The Wausau Transit Commission convened on April 17th, addressing crucial issues impacting the city's public transportation system. Among the primary agenda items were decisions regarding the replacement of aging vehicles, ensuring transportation access for summer school students, and acknowledging the ongoing challenges in managing grants and maintaining consistent staffing.

A significant discussion centered on fleet modernization, specifically the purchase of supervisor vehicles using available CARES Act funds. Commissioners approved the acquisition of two new 2025 Ford Explorers to replace supervisor vehicles from 2006 and 2008. These older vehicles were described as heavily rusted and in poor condition. Each Explorer costs $39,658.40, bringing the total to just under $80,000. These vehicles are essential for supervisors and for transporting drivers between shifts at the transit center, requiring a vehicle large enough to accommodate multiple individuals.

The Explorers were selected from state contract options due to their size compared to smaller models. Crucially, this purchase is 100% funded by federal CARES money, which had received an extension from the FTA just before it was set to expire. The ability to use this specific grant money for vehicles was a recent discovery. While the funding source alleviates the burden on city taxpayers, some concerns were raised about the public perception of spending nearly $80,000 on supervisor vehicles amidst broader transit operational issues. The delay in utilizing this and other grants, was attributed to significant turnover in management and a lack of institutional knowledge regarding grant administration within the department. Fortunately, assistance from a federal representative helped secure the necessary extensions to retain the funds. The purchase received unanimous approval.

Addressing another critical area, the commission also approved updating the paratransit fleet, which provides essential transportation for individuals with disabilities. The current paratransit vehicles are 2012 GMCs, which are considered well past their federally recommended useful life. Again, CARES Act funding was identified as a source to address this long-standing need. The approved plan includes purchasing two new 2025 T 350 high roof vans and one new 2025 E 450 cutaway van. Two of the vehicles were intentionally downsized to a 'transit van size,' better suited for frequent single passengers, while adding a second cutaway complements a larger van acquired by the county the previous year. The new vans will feature four-wheel drive for improved safety in winter conditions.

The commission believes capacity will be sufficient, with smaller vans seating up to seven people or one wheelchair, and the larger van accommodating two wheelchairs. Discussion also touched on the possibility that the current paratransit service may be underutilized, potentially due to a lack of public awareness or understanding of how to access the program. The older fleet vehicles will be sold, with the proceeds applied against the grant funding. This paratransit vehicle purchase was also unanimously approved.

Finally, the commission tackled the issue of transportation for students attending summer school at East High. Currently, no standard bus route serves East High during the summer. Students on the Henry route are typically dropped off near Horace Mann and must walk a considerable distance. The proposed solution was to establish a new, dedicated summer school route, designated X4, running specifically to East High. A key decision point was whether to offer one or two trips in the morning. Although staff are available for other duties during the summer, a second trip adds approximately eight miles of bus travel. Recognizing the difficulty faced by students currently dropped far from campus, the commission ultimately approved the X4 route with two morning trips, with the understanding it could be adjusted based on utilization. This motion also passed unanimously.

In other commission business, a vice chairperson was selected, with Carol unanimously appointed, correcting an oversight from a previous meeting. These actions by the Wausau Transit Commission highlight proactive steps being taken to improve and modernize the city's transit services, navigating complex funding landscapes and addressing administrative challenges to better serve the community.

*information sourced from the video of the 4/17/25 committee meeting