Programs for Local Government >

Public transportation

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.

More

The following programs can assist local governments and transit systems with operating and/or capital expenses to support public transportation services such as buses, vans and shared-ride taxi systems.

Federal Formula Grant Program for Urbanized Areas

A federally-funded grant program that assists transit systems in large communities (populations over 200,000) with capital expenditures. Transit systems in urban areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000 may utilize the funds for capital or operating assistance.

Federal Discretionary Capital Assistance

A federally-funded discretionary capital grant program available to assist transit systems with capital project costs. Eligible applicants include states, local public bodies, or federally-recognized Native American tribal governing bodies.

RPC/MPO planner toolkit

Provides planners with the resources to conduct a one-day public service human services transportation coordination planning meeting. Toolkit contents include: meeting invitation lists, worksheets, and reference documents.

Rural and Small Urban Area Public Transportation Assistance

Allocates federal funds to local public bodies or Native American tribes. The funds are to support capital and operating expenses for public transportation services that operate or are designed to operate in non-urbanized areas (population between 2,500 and 50,000).

Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP)

Allocates federal funds to further the development of skills and abilities for persons involved in providing transit services to rural and small urban areas.

State Urban Mass Transit Operating Assistance

Assists transit systems with operating costs. Eligible applicants include municipalities with populations greater than 2,500 including counties, municipalities and towns – along with transit or transportation commissions or authorities. Eligible public transportation services include bus, shared-ride taxicab, rail or other conveyance either publicly or privately owned.

Supplemental Transportation Rural Assistance Program (STRAP) 

A federally funded program that provides operating and planning funds for public transit projects in non-urbanized areas. Eligible applicants include local public bodies or federally-recognized Native American tribal governing bodies.

Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program (WETAP)

An effort to connect low-income workers with jobs through enhanced local transportation services, WETAP integrates local, state and federal funding into a single program and award process administered jointly by WisDOT and the state Department of Workforce Development.

Return to top

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.state.wi.us 
Last modified: October 6, 2006