[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6312609,"mediaKeyId","2390573-1489802be843156e9a5bb9e40772493a","parentId",2390573,"title","Committee endorses 'Walworth County Connect' rebrand for county transit and authorizes resolution","audioSeconds",2466,"startMs",1366000,"endMs",3832000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390573-1489802be843156e9a5bb9e40772493a&start=1366&end=3832","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390573-1489802be843156e9a5bb9e40772493a/thumbnail_1366000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6312609/Walworth-County/Wisconsin/Committee-endorses-Walworth-County-Connect-rebrand-for-county-transit-and-authorizes-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312609-178a696dd2f759d267b4a4053c001db9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770829566&Signature=Q2~w-4ar6E2cYmDCeprxA71f7~9fa03Heh9wxWJc9V3FnTsu7Nxw2sB4wqdBZE4bbzguMFMbCJXUKVeokGMoGJZbwUvdQ6ksdkfP1sC0oOeOmDbRxiIxLR36L2DGYMc4QLGLJkJjoVqVT8e0hESKWz6BOwxK8o4LGtZcALYMQ0JEoTzXuVmxgCzepitILNGBPbZiz8L0d1ojhwIGCarrzY3Wwguq~uFiW2L5N7yDf7JhPzT6dZvyIFIYnCIFxIpv78On3tRNptIOutOEHbfkevU-UDbqdqADWGJYAWzEADUFStuo-~QeoLxF4G0CjkLObm2clbPsaueJp5BoQWDmIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","WI / Walworth County ","date","2025-01-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Walworth County Transportation Coordinating Committee voted on Dec. 2 to authorize a resolution recommending the county rename its transportation program \"Walworth County Connect,\" with two sub-brands: Walworth County Connect Share for the shared-ride taxi and Walworth County Connect Care for specialized transit. The committee approved placing the resolution before the County Board.

Why it matters: Staff and the consultant said the new name clarifies that the service is provided by Walworth County, not the contractor, and aims to reduce confusion between shared-ride and specialized medical transit. The rebrand will allow the county to roll out new logos, vehicle graphics, a marketing plan and clearer messaging for riders.

Consultant findings: Laura Monagle of Affirm Agency summarized survey and secondary research conducted from Nov. 19 to Dec. 9, 2024. Of 276 total responses, 272 qualified respondents completed the naming survey, exceeding the project's 100-person sample-size goal. Respondents skewed older: the largest age cohort reported was 66 and older; 94% owned a smartphone. The consultant said respondents preferred the name Walworth County Connect because it \"best describes the transportation services, makes it clear that the transportation services are provided by Walworth County and not VIP services, and makes it clear that the transportation services are for all of Walworth County.\" The consultant recommended the two sub-brands: Walworth County Connect Share (for the shared-ride taxi) and Walworth County Connect Care (for specialized transit). The report showed 68% of survey respondents supported use of the word \"share\" to describe the shared-ride service; respondents were more mixed on the word \"care\" but the consultant said it performed positively and signaled medical/specialized service.

Implementation and budget: Committee staff said the 2024 advertising/consultant budget lines provided roughly $25,000 for marketing activity, plus a $5,000 printing allocation; staff said vehicle-wrap cost estimates provided by VIP staff were roughly $2,000 per vehicle for a typical wrap. The county expects to have 24 vehicles in the fleet when a final minivan arrives in January. Staff said the marketing plan will evaluate options including leasing vehicle interior or exterior ad space to local advertisers and whether to outsource ad sales to a local advertising agency. The committee discussed the potential to fund a more substantial wrap program via additional county sources if the marketing plan supports expansion.

Committee decision: After discussion and questions from committee members and staff, a motion authorizing a resolution to rebrand the county transportation program to Walworth County Connect and to proceed with marketing work was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said the marketing work and artwork cannot proceed to finalization until a name is selected because logos, taglines and branded materials depend on that decision.

Quotes and concerns: Laura Monagle of Affirm Agency said the name was chosen because it \"emphasizes the service's role in connecting residents to essential destinations and each other.\" Committee members discussed operational details such as phone-answering and how VIP services and the county brand will coexist; VIP's Craig said VIP already operates with separate phone lines for general and transportation inquiries but agreed staff should coach call-handling language. Some committee members suggested alternative shorthand names for the specialized program (for example, \"Care Plus\") during discussion, but the committee ultimately approved the consultant'recommended naming structure.

Next steps: Staff will prepare the resolution for County Board consideration and proceed with the marketing plan, vehicle graphics, updated web content and public notices. The marketing plan will include a detailed evaluation of advertising-leasing feasibility and provide recommended procedures, anticipated revenue and potential advertising agencies if outsourcing is advised.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Walworth County Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes January 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Walworth County Transportation Coordinating Committee voted on Dec. 2 to authorize a resolution recommending the county rename its transportation program \"Walworth County Connect\" with two sub-brands, and to advance the resolution to the County Board.","taxTitle","Walworth County, Wisconsin","taxId",54224,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6312614,"Walworth County committee hears public support to add Sunday hours to shared-ride taxi; implementation planned",1049,169000,1218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390573-1489802be843156e9a5bb9e40772493a&start=169&end=1218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390573-1489802be843156e9a5bb9e40772493a/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/6312614/Walworth-County/Wisconsin/Walworth-County-committee-hears-public-support-to-add-Sunday-hours-to-shared-ride-taxi-implementation-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312614-5948868455cf8d52ea86da8df42fdd87/orig.mp4?Expires=1770829566&Signature=VN0xbgldLQTeeZHE0FSqcDHlbVqh8--fVlE52aSOXFkkyQF2WTs71mndBPVbvdSfR5c~wDgfnkUfVQW6J~98R5h~fGWJHmc4Bg83DNYJqh4dXdOUn91Ln-VCZEBqI57RftRBvjYMzqpa0uRpJkOrFxVljH-11tqVYZvgELZU4aHIDvqUBDQRevx-G0jiRpPuVa31~TdcfV77fO~GeVNRSz2KPikY0SGacYclnEmfI9E0pRBKGKwRWFIB6yhFnBEz7d4YShAE7JUgWul1mKchQ5qvDzPaZ7NaHQq4CBhxJtTQt-bzVme8SvaTEKe2qnM2YT29v~i5QCYO2F6BgOFPkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walworth County Transportation Coordinating Committee held a public hearing on December 2 on a proposal to add Sunday hours to the county'operated shared-ride taxi service, hearing several supporters and outlining a soft-launch implementation targeted for Jan. 12, 2025.

The proposal would keep current weekday hours (Monday'Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Saturday hours (7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) unchanged, and add Sunday service from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the county'wide shared-ride taxi program. County staff said the specialized transportation program'which serves seniors (60+), people with disabilities and veterans for out-of-county medical trips'will not operate on Sundays.

Why it matters: County staff and public commenters said Sunday hours would reduce social isolation and allow residents who cannot drive to attend religious services, community events and errands on weekends. Staff warned the service will require rider education on scheduling and shared-ride expectations to maintain cost efficiency.

County staff outlined the implementation details presented at the hearing. The initial rollout would likely operate three to four vehicles on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with adjustments based on actual rider demand. Staff said the county asked the WisDOT (Wisconsin Department of Transportation) for a change order to permit the expanded hours; that request was submitted the week of the meeting and was necessary to align funding and contract year timing. Staff characterized the Jan. 12, 2025, effective date as planned but subject to change pending final administrative steps and state approvals.

The committee and staff described how the shared-ride model affects trip times: pick-ups can include multiple stops to create shared trips, which can lengthen travel time for riders who need to arrive at a fixed appointment. Staff emphasized the need for riders to register with the service in advance, to call as early as possible to allow scheduling of shared trips, and to cancel as soon as possible to allow rescheduling; cancellations within two hours may be recorded as no-shows and could affect continued access.

Public comment at the hearing was uniformly supportive. Pastor Paul Vanderberg of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lake Geneva said the expanded hours would \"take care of a lot of things\" and let homebound members \"fully experience life in all of our lakes communities.\" Wilma Zomer Koeman, whose father lives at Lakeland Nursing Home, said the extra hours would allow residents to attend Sunday services and afternoon events more often. Tom Galki, who said he works with area churches, urged the committee to view the change as reducing isolation and increasing community participation. An emailed comment from Patricia Grosso of Williams Bay said the emailed comment deadline (noon on New Year's Day) was poorly timed but said she supported the additional hours and praised the shared-ride service.

The public hearing was opened and closed by committee motion and voice vote during the meeting (opening and closing motions were approved). Staff described next steps: a soft launch with public notices, a county news release and social media posts; tracking of Sunday-specific driver hours and trip-efficiency metrics; and a later, fuller launch tied to the program's broader rebranding work.

Closing note: Staff said no further committee action was required that day to move forward with implementation, but added that final implementation depended on the WisDOT change order, vehicle staffing and monitored rider demand during the soft launch.","The Walworth County Transportation Coordinating Committee held a public hearing and heard widespread support for adding Sunday hours to the county'run shared-ride taxi. The committee reviewed an implementation timeline and staff said the service is planned to begin January 12, 2025, pending administrative steps and state approvals.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee endorses 'Walworth County Connect' rebrand for county transit and authorizes resolution

Walworth County committee hears public support to add Sunday hours to shared-ride taxi; implementation planned