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Study recommends service changes to Beloit–Janesville Express; residents urge safer transfer infrastructure
Summary
AECOM's Jim Meyer presented options to improve the Beloit–Janesville Express for operational efficiency and stability; public commenters urged better infrastructure at the proposed Piggly Wiggly transfer point and raised concerns about evening service and rider access to downtown.
AECOM project manager Jim Meyer presented a study to the council on proposed adjustments to the Beloit–Janesville Express intended to improve operational efficiency and long-term financial stability. Meyer noted the study evaluated multiple service concepts and warned that recommended alignment could change depending on consortium membership and the planned casino opening later this fall.
Meyer said the study highlighted hours of operation as a key issue: neighboring Janesville runs buses until about 9:10 p.m., and the current recommendation keeps runs within the existing budget, limiting evening and weekend expansion. "What was presented was to keep the cost neutral," Meyer said. Councilors and staff discussed options to increase revenue or add service members to expand hours; Meyer said the consortium is seeking additional members to improve financial position.
Public comment during the meeting raised practical safety concerns tied to the proposed transfer location. Brandon Mixon urged upgrades to the Piggly Wiggly parking-pad transfer station, recommending clearer signage, painted bus bays and defined waiting areas so riders are not forced to "stand in the middle of the parking lot for the bus." Mixon also asked how the realignment would affect Route 4 and riders who need downtown access, including students.
Councilors asked whether extended service to a potential casino would require added funding or different service structure; Meyer said alignment for a casino-linked phase is not set in stone and would depend on membership and numbers. He added that some survey work with employers and the Ho-Chunk partner indicated employee travel patterns, but the study lacks detail on projected entertainment ridership and recommended building service and seeing who uses it.
