Public Transit and Human Service Transportation Coordination

Since 2006, the Commission has assisted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) with several planning efforts for the coordination of public transit and human service transportation in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha Counties.

County Plans for the Coordination of Public Transit and Human Services Transportation

In August and September of 2006, Commission staff organized and facilitated meetings in all seven counties in the region to prepare locally-developed transportation coordination plans (several follow-up meetings occurred in Racine County in October and November of 2007). At those meetings, representatives from a wide range of stakeholders discussed transportation coordination issues and potential solutions. By the end of the meetings, participants had developed countywide Public Transit and Human Service Transportation Coordination Plans.

In December 2007, the county coordination plans were amended to include projects proposed for 2008 grants from certain key Federal programs. The documentation of the amendment process, including the letters mailed and the tally of the ballots returned, is also below.

In April 2008, the project lists of the Milwaukee and Waukesha coordination plans will also need to be amended to establish the eligibility of projects in those counties that are applying for funds under the Federal New Freedom transit program.

Commission staff are currently working with WisDOT to craft a planning process that will be used to develop more robust local transportation coordination plans. The next round of planning for the public transit and human service transportation coordination will occur between May and September of 2008.

For more detailed information on each county’s plans and amendments, refer to the documents below:

• Kenosha County
  • 2006 Meeting Record
  • December 2007 Amendment
• Milwaukee County
  • 2006 Meeting Record
  • December 2007 Amendment
• Ozaukee County
  • 2006 Meeting Record
  • December 2007 Amendment
• Racine County
  • 2006 Meeting Record
  • 2007 Meeting Record
• Walworth County
  • 2006 Meeting Record
  • December 2007 Amendment
• Washington County
  • 2006 Meeting Record
  • December 2007 Amendment
• Waukesha County
  • 2006 Meeting Record
  • December 2007 Amendment

Federal Requirements for Coordination

The plans to coordinate public transit and human services transportation are a consequence of new FTA regulations. Beginning in 2007, transit projects using the following FTA program funds must be included in a locally-developed plan for public transit and human services transportation coordination:

1. Elderly and Disabled Transportation Capital Assistance Program (Section 5310) funds, which assist with the purchase of specialized transit vehicles used to serve elderly and disabled persons
2. Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (JARC) funds, which in Wisconsin are combined with other state and federal funding programs through the Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program (WETAP). The JARC/WETAP funds can be used to provide capital and operating assistance for services that address the employment-related transportation needs of low-income workers and public assistance recipients
3. New Freedom Program funds, which assist with capital and operating expenses for new public transportation services that exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). In Wisconsin they are also often combined with Federal funds for Vocational Rehabilitation.

Additional Information

If you need more information on the transportation coordination plans, or need the documentation in an accessible format, please inform Commission staff by calling 262-547-6721, or e-mailing .