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TransLink reports ridership gains, fleet repairs and uncertainty over electric bus deliveries
Summary
At its Sept. 10 meeting, TransLink staff said August 2025 finances were about 2% below plan, reported rising ridership on several routes, described recent vehicle repairs and upgrades, and said long-delayed electric buses on order from Phoenix Motorcars face an uncertain timeline despite WisDOT grant awards.
TransLink staff told the committee on Sept. 10 that the agency’s 2025 finances through August are roughly 2% below expectations, ridership on several routes is improving, and the agency is contending with both recent repair costs and uncertainty about long‑pending electric bus orders.
The finance update said two air‑conditioning repairs stood out: one required a full condenser replacement for a high‑mileage bus, and another required an AC recharge that cost about $1,100. Staff reported the agency’s fuel spending has improved compared with recent years and that accounts receivable were cleaned up, leaving roughly $3,200 below target and about $2,000 in current accounts receivable tied to August agency invoices.
Those financial details matter because TransLink is managing an aging fleet as it awaits vehicles ordered years ago. Staff described a hybrid bus that had a replaced ramp and a sticky rear door that is back in service; one vehicle has about 260,000–290,000 miles while another has close to 700,000 miles. Staff said the agency’s replacement strategy is tied to mileage thresholds used for grant eligibility.
On service and ridership, staff said the Doorstop and Red Cedar routes are narrowing a previous ridership gap compared with 2024 levels. The community route had 1,225 rides in a recent month, up from a best earlier month of about 890 in 2023, and staff said they expect September ridership to increase further as student usage grows. Staff noted a separate 30‑minute, after‑the‑hour pickup at the UW–Stout library reduces some student travel time and may increase community‑route ridership; staff said they are aiming for a community route ridership level close to 2,500 in September.
Staff also described several operational upgrades. New displays and Wi‑Fi on smaller buses now push route and event notices from a dispatcher to on‑board screens; the agency is evaluating whether to offer public Wi‑Fi while preserving bandwidth for internal systems. Bike racks and a replaced wheelchair ramp were installed; staff reported a bike‑rack installation price around $6,800.
Procurement of medium‑duty and electric buses remains uncertain. Staff read an email from a Phoenix Motorcars customer program manager saying the manufacturer has restructured production for medium‑duty vehicles and asking the agency to confirm its outstanding order. Staff said the vehicles have been on order “for half a decade” and that Phoenix Motorcars’ restructuring, combined with rising costs, has complicated fulfillment. Staff said WisDOT has become involved and that WisDOT awarded the agency several capital items through a grant round, including a medium‑duty shuttle bus, a conventional gas bus and funding for new on‑board security systems, but timelines for delivery were not specified.
The meeting included routine business and one formal vote. Committee members approved the minutes from the Aug. 13 meeting by voice vote; no opposed votes were recorded on the transcript.
Votes at a glance Approve minutes of Aug. 13 meeting — Mover: Member 2; Second: Member 1; Outcome: approved (voice vote; no opposed recorded).
