[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6115120,"mediaKeyId","2739863-3206f64a20c3ef2024ddfb1dddcfd7ff","parentId",2739863,"title","Transit commission advances relocation feasibility study; public urges expanded routes to Rib Mountain, requests restroom at transit center","audioSeconds",612,"startMs",749000,"endMs",1361000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739863-3206f64a20c3ef2024ddfb1dddcfd7ff&start=749&end=1361","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739863-3206f64a20c3ef2024ddfb1dddcfd7ff/thumbnail_749000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115120/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Transit-commission-advances-relocation-feasibility-study-public-urges-expanded-routes-to-Rib-Mountain-requests-restroom-at-transit-center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115120-42ad9696e62a5247b9cab98d46cc230e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970696&Signature=dhyWUeBud9TX4kVXjgtoP8xfIy7~HsNPQNLFHk1bf0Mo3Q-6HmHYtMJZjwyW8iJnDynvW-QE4cQw~KyV1RrWh01f4bCHYWIG0NRGWgqR4HcH3YdC~uWw5AASZaj4F-GzCSm0Hl0YCWfk84uBpQjO36y-9BDVd-wDONjp7wx~8dqb4vCOxTiI-LFWvc7XWe5WB5XgS2AkIgkO7fDS1X5qqhxFtNR8VE6cc-7T7enS3q3iOtXeHbAON2hBSSpxTIZ5wY~yf5x0SjyWhS4-DLlgtLpFeSpfDXkFPv7NtH7WMbFynbYP8rLzWCI7qwfseZwAFVvB-d8dp0k8cEmblmI6GA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wausau, WI","date","2025-03-21T10:07:21Z","article","The Wausau Transit Commission on March 20 updated commissioners on a relocation feasibility study and heard public comment urging expanded service to nearby municipalities and a request for restroom access at the transit center.

Staff said the city issued a request for proposals and one firm, Windell, submitted materials and met qualifications after interviews with the transit director, the deputy director, the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) director and MPO planner. Staff described the study as site and regulatory analysis — not architectural design — to identify candidate locations within the city, assess whether the current site could be upgraded, and determine space needs for a larger maintenance and storage facility.

The transit director told commissioners the feasibility work could inform future vehicle choices, saying electric or hybrid buses are unlikely at the current facility because “we do not have the infrastructure for electric or hybrid at our current location, which is why we're doing the feasibility study.” Staff said emerging propulsion options such as hydrogen fuel cell were being discussed as possible long‑term directions.

Commissioner Kieran asked for an educational briefing on microtransit and alternative service models at the next meeting; staff agreed to provide information on options and how the feasibility study might account for microtransit or paratransit expansion.

During public comment, Elizabeth Scully of 2005 Buick Avenue told the commission she relies on the bus and asked the agency to add routes serving the Walmart area in Rib Mountain now rather than years in the future. The transit director responded that Rib Mountain (the Walmart area) lies outside the City of Wausau’s jurisdiction and that staff have been working with county and municipal partners and the mayor to seek cost‑effective ways to extend service; the director said budget constraints remain a barrier.

Scully also asked whether a restroom could be made available near the transit center; she suggested placing a portable toilet in the adjacent lot to serve riders and visitors. Commissioners agreed to place the restroom item on a future agenda and to involve the Department of Public Works for cost and feasibility information. The transit director said he would contact Eric at DPW and gather cost estimates for discussion at the next meeting.

Next steps: staff expects to move ahead with Windell for the feasibility study and will present a scope and timeline to the commission. Staff will also return with cost and feasibility information on restroom options and will prepare a microtransit briefing for the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wausau Transit Commission Meeting - 3/20/25","oneSentenceSummary","Staff told the Wausau Transit Commission on March 20 that firm Windell met qualifications for a relocation feasibility study to identify candidate sites and assess whether the current transit facility can be upgraded.","taxTitle","Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin","taxId",4562,"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},6115125,"Wausau Transit Commission affirms local DBE goal at 0% for current period",175,364000,539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739863-3206f64a20c3ef2024ddfb1dddcfd7ff&start=364&end=539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739863-3206f64a20c3ef2024ddfb1dddcfd7ff/thumbnail_364000.jpg","/articles/6115125/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-Transit-Commission-affirms-local-DBE-goal-at-0-for-current-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115125-7ecb53baf08a6e373d05aaa8bac466ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970696&Signature=W9K3xQrrOY7I7AUSkBYV8vJPM22Bx~WrGCSgQNI5L-sgP~lXfTXJBJLFfeJpT5doiU0TEqmpI-7k7wCuo7mEHo90Bh7cF0HJWrCd6i~PP4ZD4DOvC85ADwswcJW24G02l0Ty9TjHeB0ecIDkrPGdxWPyC3fEep8~r03MNReNrL7M-1aYb23lMRAt2q5dU6xwC1gs-cmMK5Q~u3SUkh1Nd66nrPsr8kNDG7WITcyDnwEEIytv-7VyugxUELpE15lHFg2flXYBsEJDtigmiTTl7yKHeGxKVQX~ZndluTZ55Vhgov~MClM-NeNa3t33lgIm6b5xLlCZIGLMF6yMJPT~QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wausau Transit Commission on March 20 accepted updated Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) documentation and set the local DBE goal at 0% for the current period.

Staff explained DBE refers to minority‑ and women‑owned businesses and said each DBE must apply through the state. The transit director noted there is currently one state‑registered DBE within the area but that firm does not provide services used by the transit agency, leading staff to set the local goal at 0% for now. The director said the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires local review and a vote on the DBE goal.

The transit director said, “Each DBE business must send in an application to the state, and then I take those state registered DBE businesses. We have 1 registered within the area here, and they do not do anything with they do not provide a service that transit uses.” The director added, “So our continued DBE goal at this point is 0%, in the next couple of years. Hopefully, that'll that'll change some, and we can we can move that record up.”

Commissioner Giselle moved to accept the DBE documentation and Commissioner Cathy seconded the motion. The motion passed with unanimous assent recorded during the meeting. Staff said it will re‑evaluate the goal in future reporting periods if the pool of eligible local DBE firms changes.

The commission did not adopt any new procurement rules at this meeting; the action was limited to accepting the updated DBE documentation and local goal for compliance reporting.","The commission accepted updated Disadvantaged Business Enterprise documentation and set a local DBE goal of 0% for the current compliance period, as staff reported only one registered local DBE that does not provide transit services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115130,"Wausau Transit Commission directs staff to seek bids for 10 VW‑settlement buses",331,447000,778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739863-3206f64a20c3ef2024ddfb1dddcfd7ff&start=447&end=778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739863-3206f64a20c3ef2024ddfb1dddcfd7ff/thumbnail_447000.jpg","/articles/6115130/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-Transit-Commission-directs-staff-to-seek-bids-for-10-VWsettlement-buses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115130-2ed738bbb6d818e80d504bda2773c198/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970696&Signature=gKtNHSJxKyuyySgj2RE3w47IiIYguDh5P6LJhpRKcaCq074PMfBOlVvOfQFcGmHrEJmuE05mpjy83-9bfQPAgguMgaULQ-cSHJdGPhmKiIvAzbvsj1HBQf2QR8ZpXFjk-cMyiKj2~ylBrhptyTgucFDwnDvzDBQU7qrMbiK8MOXrTLhMCblzfN88I-wQnPmrrnPkuoSHGaN2PPrrFxRXALVn-nGSAPk~4fWkSExeBs8ieJjzS3XJjbG8u99wNYGgm7oK490l52QSzvEZXYxo~IbhEFZz5u2v7llvNtJuZegCSfQRPoX38UL68g~c1tU2UbyNiVoLDGVuCItTmnitVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wausau Transit Commission on March 20 voted unanimously to authorize the transit director to request a formal bid from Gillig for 10 replacement buses under the VW settlement program.

The vote followed staff notification that the commission would receive funding through the VW settlement to replace 10 buses and that the initial per‑bus funding figure is $640,000. The transit director told commissioners the buses are not expected to include agency‑specific fare‑box or announcement technology and that those systems would be purchased and installed separately.

The transit director said, “We have got notification back from the VW settlement that we will be getting the 10 buses. We have $640,000 per bus.” The director added that each of the 10 replaced buses will require destruction of the engine box and that old vehicles could be sold for scrap for “no more than $1,800 per bus.” The director also said the build time from approval is expected to be about “15 to 18 months.”

Commissioners moved and seconded a motion “to accept and give the transit director direction to go to Gillig to start that process.” The motion, made by Commissioner Hope and seconded by Commissioner Kislevin, passed unanimously.

The transit director said a formal bid from Gillig will include a full build specification and final price per bus; staff will return to the commission with that contract price before any purchase is finalized. The director also said CARES Act funds may be available to supplement any difference between the VW settlement amount and the final procurement cost.

Commissioners asked whether the buses would be electric or hybrid; staff said the current facility lacks the electrical infrastructure needed for electric or hybrid vehicles and that a separate relocation feasibility study is under way to assess future infrastructure needs. Staff noted the VW settlement buses are intended to match the agency's current operational and maintenance capabilities.

Next steps: staff will obtain the Gillig bid and report back to the commission with a contract price and recommended procurement action for formal approval.","The commission authorized the transit director to request a formal bid from Gillig for 10 replacement buses funded through the Volkswagen (VW) settlement, with preliminary per‑bus funding noted at $640,000 and a 15–18 month build timeline once ordered.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Transit commission advances relocation feasibility study; public urges expanded routes to Rib Mountain, requests restroom at transit center

Wausau Transit Commission affirms local DBE goal at 0% for current period

Wausau Transit Commission directs staff to seek bids for 10 VW‑settlement buses