Staff outlines plan to expand GoConnect microtransit service; county supports pilot revisions

City staff updated the Transportation Committee on plans to revise and expand the GoConnect microtransit pilot to better serve neighborhoods previously covered by the former Route 10 fixed route. The current service connects downtown Oshkosh and downtown Neenah and averages about five rides per day; staff said the county executive has approved expanding the service footprint and staff will work with East Central and the vendor to design the updated model.

Under the proposed approach, microtransit would serve a larger "red zone" area (the core area around Sunnyview Expo Center, the county jail and nearby neighborhoods) and act as a feeder to fixed-route stops during regular hours. Staff said the aim is to provide rides to and from fixed-route stops so riders can use the regular transit network for longer trips. If partners finalize details and funding, staff said the city aims to begin the updated pilot by April 1.

Committee members asked how riders will arrange trips; staff said riders will call the vendor to request a ride. Members also raised safety concerns for people released from the county jail and emphasized the need for reliable connections; staff said they are coordinating with partners and will report back with a proposed service design.

Staff also described how a new fare-card accounting system recognizes revenue when rides occur rather than when fares are sold; that change briefly depresses year-to-date comparisons but aligns reporting with Federal Transit Administration guidance. Staff defended maintaining fares, saying that operating without fares in peer systems had led to enforcement and safety challenges; they noted that fares historically cover roughly 20% of operating costs while federal/state grants and county support supply the rest.