Valley Transit budget: Appleton share rises modestly as driver shortages shape service planning
Valley Transit officials told the committee the 2026 budget is essentially a straight‑line budget with modest increases driven by salary and fringe changes; restoring service depends on driver hiring and regional agreement.
The full story
Valley Transit presented its 2026 budget to the Appleton Finance Committee on Nov. 1, 2025. The agency said the system is funded through a mix of the Federal Transit Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, nine municipalities, three counties (Winnebago, Calumet, Outagamie), fares and institutional agreements (e.g., Lawrence University, school fare contracts). When all funding partners are combined, the city of Appleton funds about $0.07 of every operating dollar, a figure transit leaders described as a relatively efficient local contribution.
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