Transit panel approves 2025 WisDOT operating aid agreement, OKs paratransit allocation and minor stop changes

The Waukesha City Transit Commission on July 17 approved the city’s 2025 operating-aid agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and a separate paratransit allocation, and signed off on minor bus-stop changes after staff described operational and safety reasons for the adjustments.

Brian, a transit staff member, told commissioners the state’s award percentage for mass-transit operating aid in 2025 is 55.91%, a 3.26 percentage-point drop from last year. He said that change reduces expected state aid by about $70,000 compared with the amount the commission had budgeted and that the contract’s maximum for city and county expenses under the state allocation is $3,300,000. “This year, it’s at 55.91,” Brian said. He explained that federal funds are allocated separately and that WisDOT equalizes distributions across systems; the transcript records a reference to “statute 85 20” when Brian described the statutory source of state funding.

Commissioners asked whether the $3.3 million is state-only funding and whether federal funds can be used to cover shortfalls. Brian replied that the $3.3 million is state funding and that federal dollars are distributed separately, but that the larger pool of state funds can be used to help cover paratransit costs when needed.

On paratransit, Brian said WisDOT’s separate allocation for 2025 is $86,756, roughly $5,600 (about 6%) below last year’s level. He noted that Waukesha County no longer has a separate paratransit program, so this allocation now goes directly to Metro Lift to offset the cost of paratransit service. “It’s a small allocation, but we’ll take anything we get,” he said.

On bus stops, staff proposed and commissioners approved several cleanups after June 2 service changes: removing a redundant stop on Grandview outside Lowell Elementary (two stops were about 50 feet apart), officially designating an existing Manhattan stop where it better serves passengers and improves safety, and adding a stop at Sunset at the Meijer entrance because Route 15 no longer travels into the store. A commissioner asked about the removal of a shelter near the Hope Center; Brian said the shelter was removed at the Hope Center’s request because it sat on the Hope Center’s easement and had generated complaints and police recommendations. He said the removed shelter will be repurposed to replace an older shelter elsewhere.

The commission took formal votes on the minutes and each consent item. For the operating-aid agreement and the paratransit allocation, commissioners asked clarifying questions before approving the motions. The meeting ended after staff said a rebid notice for the bus-washer project would go out the next day.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of June 19 minutes: motion moved by Eric Payne, seconded by Joe Piper; motion passed. - Item 5a (WisDOT mass-transit operating aid agreement): motion to approve passed after discussion; transcript records multiple aye votes and the chair announced the motion passed. - Item 5b (paratransit operating agreement / $86,756): motion to approve carried. - Item 5c (bus-stop changes and shelter removal/relocation): motion to approve carried.

What this means: The approved state aid and separate paratransit allocation will be included in the transit budget for 2025; staff said the modest drop in the state percentage will not force immediate service cuts because lower fuel costs and available relief funds should cover the roughly $70,000 shortfall for this year, though staff flagged the potential for another drop in federal funding next year. The bus-stop changes aim to improve safety and operational efficiency and the removed shelter will be reused elsewhere. Staff also will rebid the bus-washer procurement.