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Two buses out of service; Newman says ridership steady and WisDOT approves grant revision
Summary
Transit Manager Barb Newman told commissioners two buses are out of service—N17 with a damaged differential and N15 with broken body mounts—and that ridership is up about 1% year over year. Newman also said WisDOT approved a revised 2026 operating grant after expense reductions and a mitigation letter.
At its April 27 meeting, the Oneida Vilas Transit Commission was told two buses were temporarily out of service and repairs are pending. Transit Manager Barb Newman reported that bus N17 sustained damage when a nut cut into the axle housing and ruined the differential; repair work is awaiting grant funding. She also said N15’s rusted body mounts broke and the vehicle is awaiting welding of new mounts.
Newman said Ford sent a Customer Satisfaction Program letter noting that the commission’s three new transit vans may develop transfer-case issues and that parts are available if repairs become necessary.
On ridership, Newman reported a roughly 1% increase compared with the same period last year and described usage as steady during the first three months of the year.
On finances, Newman described budget shifts through March: WisDOT disallowed certain local‑share income attributed to a Nordic ski team and to townships lacking contracts or meeting minutes; she will move any income received in those two categories into fare revenue. Separately, Newman said WisDOT returned the 2026 operating grant for an expenses review; she reduced some line items, submitted a mitigating letter for other expenses and reported that WisDOT subsequently approved the revised grant document.
Commissioners did not record additional directives tied to the maintenance items or a dollar amount for repairs in the minutes.
