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Platteville council approves Saturday university bus route, authorizes 2027 RFP
Summary
The Platteville Common Council unanimously approved adding a Saturday purple bus route (11 a.m.–3 p.m. during the academic year), adjusted downtown stops (including Farm and Fleet), and authorized staff to issue an RFP per WISDOT rules for 2027–28 service; the university will cover the local match from segregated fees.
The Platteville Common Council voted unanimously May 26 to add a Saturday bus route during the academic year and to authorize staff to conduct a procurement process for 2027–28 transit service.
Staff explained the recommendation follows the city's 2024 transit changes after Stratton Buses declined to renew, and a 2025 RFP that produced higher bids. Ryan (city transit/staff) told councillors that cutting from four routes to one reduced route hours by more than 70% while reducing ridership only 24%, and that most riders are university students. The recommendation adds a Saturday "purple" route from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the academic year, tweaks stop locations to better serve downtown and a Farm and Fleet stop, and directs staff to run an RFP consistent with WISDOT procedures for service contracts beginning January 2027.
A motion by Bob Gates, seconded by Kathy Cop, carried on a 7-0 vote: Cop, McFall, Doss, Gates, Wisnap, Parrot and Badger voted yes.
Council members noted the university will pay the local funding match from segregated student fees, so the change is budget-neutral for the city. Staff said the proposed purple route will operate on a tight schedule (28–30 minutes for a 30-minute cycle) and that implementation will be monitored and adjusted as needed.
What happens next: Staff will prepare and issue an RFP per WISDOT guidance and report back to council on procurement results and operational monitoring.
