Finance committee advances Wisco/Cubic fare‑collection contract to council pending IT review

The City of Wausau Finance Committee voted to forward a Wisco/Cubic electronic fare‑collection contract and related budget modification to the council, subject to final review by the city’s IT/CCIT office. Transit Director Ron told the committee the system would allow riders to pay with debit cards, a reloadable fare card, or an app, and that the city would maintain a cash option during the transition.

Ron said the project is currently 100% grant‑funded for three years and that if implemented it would be interoperable with systems in other Wisconsin cities. "We do have a 100% grant funding for it...there would be no out of pocket for 3 years for the city," he said. He added staff will keep current fare boxes and accept cash during a transition period. Committee members questioned training needs and whether council would have adequate time to review any contract changes if the item is advanced the same night it goes to council. The committee approved the motion to move the contract forward, pending CCIT approval, by a 3‑1 vote; Alder Tooney was recorded as voting no.

The transit director noted implementation timing is partly driven by grant deadlines: the grant money expires in March and missing that window could cost the city roughly $133,000. He also said the system could reduce fares lost when riders do not have exact change, citing an average daily cash deposit figure for buses of about $170. The item will return with any IT‑requested contract language before council consideration.