Programs for Local Government >

Public transportation

Back to public transportation main page

Public transit continues to play an important role in the state and local transportation scene. Wisconsin’s 71 public transit systems in both urban and rural areas rank among the nation’s best in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, connecting thousands of state residents to jobs, schools and other destinations.

Wisconsin’s transit systems serve a vital function in meeting the mobility needs of thousands of state residents. 

Transit has become an important link in the success of Wisconsin’s welfare to work program, and transit provides a basic level of mobility to those who depend upon some form of public transportation. 

To maintain a truly "multimodal" transportation system and provide citizens additional travel options, public transportation will remain a key component of Wisconsin's overall transportation network. 

The state of Wisconsin is a strong partner in supporting quality transit service throughout the state. State aid is the largest source of funding for Wisconsin’s 26 urban bus systems and 43 shared-ride taxi systems, dispersed geographically throughout the state. 

In 2005, state support for local transit systems totaled $98.6 million, among the highest in the nation. State aid covered, on average:

• 40.6% of the operating cost of Milwaukee's  transit system and 38.4% of the cost of Madison's transit system.
• 33.3% of the operating costs of bus systems in other urbanized areas.
• 32.5% of the operating costs of smaller bus and shared-ride taxi systems.

Wisconsin’s transit systems rank among the nation’s best in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. A recent study of Wisconsin’s systems between 1996 and 2000 shows that Wisconsin’s transit systems continue to outperform similar systems across the United States. Wisconsin’s largest bus system, Milwaukee County Transit, earned the award for "America’s Best" in 1999. 

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about the content of this page:
Rod Clark, rod.clark@dot.wi.gov 
Last modified: May 13, 2009