Wausau Transit Commission authorizes staff to begin procurement talks for 10 VW‑funded buses; relocation feasibility study advances

WAUSAU, Wis. — The Wausau Transit Commission on March 20 unanimously authorized the transit director to begin procurement discussions with manufacturer Gillig for 10 replacement buses funded through the Volkswagen (VW) mitigation settlement.

The commission’s action allows staff to obtain a formal price per bus from Gillig but does not obligate the city to buy until a final contract is presented for approval. The transit director said the VW program will provide $640,000 per bus and that the agency must render the replaced engine housings unusable; old vehicles can be sold for scrap at no more than $1,800 per bus. The director estimated a 15- to 18-month build time from the date of approval.

Why it matters: The VW settlement award covers high-cost transit vehicles that the city can accept now and that fit the transit system’s current maintenance capacity. Commission members pressed for clarity on whether the buses would be electric or hybrid; staff said Wausau’s existing facility lacks the infrastructure for electric or hybrid vehicles and that the buses under this VW funding will be diesel — technology upgrades such as new fare boxes would be a separate expense and typically are installed locally after delivery.

Commission discussion and vote: The commission debated timing, vehicle type and funding. The transit director said CARES Act funds are available to supplement purchases if needed. Hope moved the directive and Kislevin seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Relocation feasibility study: The commission also received an update on a relocation feasibility study. Staff issued a request for proposals and interviewed a firm identified as Windell, which previously worked with the city’s fire department. Staff said Windell met the study’s qualifications and recommended moving forward. The study will identify potential sites within Wausau that meet the agency’s space needs, review local land-use rules for expanding or upgrading the current facility, and identify whether future bus procurements could support hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell or electric technologies. Staff said a new facility could enable expanded microtransit and paratransit operations and larger vehicle storage; if the project proceeds rapidly, a new location could be five to seven years out.

Public comment and service gaps: Rider Elizabeth Scully of 2005 Buick Avenue urged the commission to add routes to the area near the Walmart, which the transit director said is located in Rib Mountain and thus outside the city of Wausau’s transit jurisdiction. The director said staff are working with the county and neighboring municipalities to pursue service partnerships but that budget constraints have so far limited expansion. Scully also asked for more restroom access at the transit center; commissioners directed staff to research costs and feasibility and to consult the Department of Public Works for the next meeting.

What remains unsettled: The VW funding amount per bus was stated as $640,000 but the final purchase price will depend on Gillig’s forthcoming bid; the commission will not be committed to purchase until a contract is signed. The relocation study will next produce site options and regulatory review; staff will report back at future meetings.

Votes at a glance: • Motion to direct the transit director to begin procurement talks with Gillig for VW‑funded buses — mover: Hope; seconder: Kislevin; outcome: approved unanimously (no roll-call tally recorded in the minutes).