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Transit commission approves 2025 federal grant filing and Title VI plan; hears 2024 ridership and WisDOT review
Summary
The commission authorized staff to file federal grants to support 2025 capital and operating needs, approved a three-year Title VI plan required for grant eligibility, and received reports showing 2024 ridership gains and a state management review.
The Waukesha City Transit Commission on March 6 approved a resolution authorizing filing of 2025 federal grant applications for capital projects, operations support and future bus purchases, and separately approved a Title VI plan covering 2025–2027 that staff said is required to remain eligible for federal grants.
Staff told the commission the federal capital grants typically cover 80% of eligible project costs; capital projects for 2025 come from the city's approved capital improvement plan. Brian (transit staff) said the city plans to use leftover federal COVID-relief funds to reimburse local transit operating money that would otherwise pay the local match. He also confirmed that FTA Section 5307 formula funds (referred to in the meeting as “5,307 funds”) are federal urbanized-area operating funds and, per state practice, are generally used for operating expenses.
Commissioner Kevin Riley moved to approve the resolution authorizing the filing of federal grants; a commissioner identified in the transcript as “Pane” seconded. The motion passed unanimously: Kassen — aye; Kevin Riley — aye; Piper — aye; O'Donnell — aye; Vanden — aye.
On the Title VI plan, staff said federal regulations require transit agencies to update Title VI plans every three years to ensure nondiscrimination and adequate information for persons with limited English proficiency; the plan must be filed to apply for grants. Brian told commissioners that a presidential executive order discussed earlier in the week might change requirements but that the Federal Transit Administration had not issued any implementing guidance; staff said the plan was due April 1 in the transit grant management system. Commissioner Piper moved to approve the Title VI plan and the supporting resolution; the motion passed unanimously (Kassen, Kevin Riley, Piper, O'Donnell, Vanden — all aye).
The commission also received a report on 2024 ridership. Brian said fixed-route ridership was up 16% in 2024, passengers per revenue hour rose to 7.9 (from about 7.3), and system ridership is up about 36% since 2020. METRO Lift ridership increased about 7% in 2024. Staff noted three routes account for roughly 70% of ridership and said planned route consolidations in June will combine lower-ridership services to improve efficiency.
Finally, staff reported on a five-year management review conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) at the end of 2023; the final report arrived to the agency earlier this year. Brian said most recommendations from prior reviews were implemented; a small number of recommendations were not feasible or no longer relevant. On state peer comparisons, most metrics were within acceptable ranges except for operating cost per passenger, a factor staff attributed to not having a large university or major district contract that boosts ridership in peer systems. National peer comparisons showed generally favorable results for Waukesha.
No member of the commission opposed any of the actions. The meeting also approved the minutes from Jan. 9 earlier in the session (motion by Commissioner Piper; second Kevin Riley; unanimous vote).
