Wisconsin’s public transportation systems are struggling. From votes to cut routes in Milwaukee County to discussions about eliminating entire systems like the Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit (SMRT) system, each fixed route bus system in the state is severely underfunded and has been for more than a decade.
Lack of investment in public transit has resulted in decreases in numbers of routes, distances covered by transit systems, and frequency of routes. Not only that, but Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) have been barred from creation in the state, making collaboration across municipal and county lines cumbersome at best and nonexistent at worst.
The result? The ⅓ of Wisconsinites who do not drive have seriously limited options for accessing jobs, healthcare, recreation, grocery stores and more.
With systems facing fiscal cliffs and discussions of some closing altogether, something substantial has to change to better meet the needs of Wisconsinites. While there is not a one size fits all solution that will fix all transit system needs in the state, legislation that permits the formation of RTAs would go a long way.
RTAs bring two key benefits to transportation in a region.
First, RTAs support regional planning, collaboration and coordination on transportation. This is critical because people’s needs do not stop at municipal boundaries, so transportation connections shouldn’t either! This creates a mechanism for local governments to collaborate more easily to best serve entire regions of the state.
Second, RTAs would fill key gaps in funding, especially for transit systems. RTAs allow for regions to leverage a local sales tax that would generate funding specifically for local transportation like transit systems. This funding can be used not only for capital projects, but also for ongoing operations, which means that critical gaps could be filled.
As we move through election season and into the 2027 legislative session, it will become more important to advocate for transportation solutions like Regional Transit Authorities.