Wausau Transit Commission approves purchase of two 2025 Ford Explorers using CARES funds

The Wausau Transit Commission voted unanimously to purchase two 2025 Ford Explorers to replace the commission’s supervisor vehicles, using leftover CARES Act funding approved for such purchases by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

Commissioners and staff said the Explorers are priced at $39,658.40 each. The commission’s staff reported the FTA granted an extension that allowed use of CARES money that had remained available since 2020; the commission pulled roughly $500,000 toward operations and allocated the remaining funds to vehicle replacements and related items.

Commissioners expressed concern about public perception and cost while also noting the current vehicles are heavily rusted and near the end of their useful life. One commissioner said the price felt high and asked whether cheaper options were available; a staff member replied state-contract pricing and vehicle size informed the selection. Staff emphasized the larger size of the Explorers compared with smaller crossovers such as the Chevrolet Equinox, noting the extra interior space helps transport multiple drivers between shifts.

Staff told the commission the purchase will be included in a budget modification to be considered by the finance body next Tuesday to place the expense into the transit budget. The commission also discussed turnover in management and gaps in institutional knowledge around grants, and staff credited a federal representative for arranging FTA extensions while local staff rebuilt grant-management capacity.

The motion to approve the purchase was made and seconded and passed unanimously.