Mobility - Transit Availability - WisDOT MAPSS Performance Improvement Program

WisDOT MAPSS - Mobility - Transit Availability - Delivering transportation choices that result in efficient trips and no unexpected delays.

Transit availability is essential for the mobility of all Wisconsin citizens, to provide a lifeline to meet basic needs, relieve road congestion, and enhance quality of life in our communities. Our goal is to have 55% of Wisconsinites served by urban bus systems, shared-ride taxi and other transit services. To see more details, visit Wisconsin Public Transit System.

• Urban/Rural - Urban communities have a population of 50,000 or greater and rural communities have a population less than 50,000.
• Revenue Miles - The time when a vehicle is available to the general public and there is an expectation of carrying passengers. Reporting and auditing are completed after the end of a calendar year and available the following January.
• Tier A - Large urban bus systems in Milwaukee and Madison. The Department has no policy funding goal for Tier A.
• Tier B - Small urban transit systems in urbanized areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000.
• Tier C - Rural transit systems serving areas with populations of less than 50,000.

Transit provides a lifeline to those who depend on it to travel to work, school, medical services, shopping, and more. Approximately 55% of Wisconsin transit riders travel to work, 14% to school, 20% to retail, tourism or recreational destinations, and 11% to health care services. Greater transit availability means greater mobility for Wisconsin citizens. Transit service is a key component of a comprehensive, multimodal transportation system and contributes to an enhanced quality of life in Wisconsin communities.

Transit service availability is determined by local governments, with planning assistance offered by WisDOT to help identify appropriate options. The degree of investment in transit from federal, state and local sources is a factor affecting this performance measure. For example, transit routes and service areas may differ year-to-year in response to budget levels. Community efforts to encourage commercial and residential land use and increase population density in areas with transit access also have an effect. Transit service operated on a regional level, as opposed to a community-by-community basis, also tends to increase the percent of the regional population with access to transit.

The department actively provides technical assistance to local transit providers in the areas of planning and budgeting, and frequently sponsors transit development plans and feasibility studies to ensure that transit investments are data driven, sustainable and promote effective service. Department staff review transit system budgets and service profiles annually to ensure transit operations are consistent with state and federal regulations, as well as department goals and best practices. Management performance reviews of urban bus systems every five years along with annual cost efficiency report analyses for all systems helps ensure that Wisconsin transit systems function efficiently and effectively in meeting mobility needs. The department also interacts directly with stakeholders and advocates through advisory groups such as the Wisconsin Non-Driver Advisory Committee.