Platteville council approves Saturday university bus route, authorizes 2027 RFP

The Platteville Common Council voted unanimously May 26 to add a Saturday bus route during the academic year and to authorize staff to conduct a procurement process for 2027–28 transit service.

Staff explained the recommendation follows the city's 2024 transit changes after Stratton Buses declined to renew, and a 2025 RFP that produced higher bids. Ryan (city transit/staff) told councillors that cutting from four routes to one reduced route hours by more than 70% while reducing ridership only 24%, and that most riders are university students. The recommendation adds a Saturday "purple" route from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the academic year, tweaks stop locations to better serve downtown and a Farm and Fleet stop, and directs staff to run an RFP consistent with WISDOT procedures for service contracts beginning January 2027.

A motion by Bob Gates, seconded by Kathy Cop, carried on a 7-0 vote: Cop, McFall, Doss, Gates, Wisnap, Parrot and Badger voted yes.

Council members noted the university will pay the local funding match from segregated student fees, so the change is budget-neutral for the city. Staff said the proposed purple route will operate on a tight schedule (28–30 minutes for a 30-minute cycle) and that implementation will be monitored and adjusted as needed.

What happens next: Staff will prepare and issue an RFP per WISDOT guidance and report back to council on procurement results and operational monitoring.