By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
While all existing participants have pledged financial contributions toward the still-infant Innovation Express bus service in 2014, funding has declined. A projected $42,000 shortfall means there might be cuts to some portion of the service within the upcoming year.
The ride-share program, established in 2012, has been offered to people in Milton, Janesville and Whitewater. The three municipalities have contributed to the effort, as has Generac Power Systems and several higher education schools.
Representatives with the Janesville Transit System, which operates the Innovation Express, projected the cost to operate the service in its current iteration in 2014 will hover around $395,000, up from the $360,000 price tag this year.
City Manager Cameron Clapper discussed with the Whitewater Common Council the program’s future at a meeting last week. He outlined its existing route schedule, which includes five weekday runs, three Saturday runs and two Sunday runs.
The funding picture for the upcoming year became murky when several issues became prevalent. For one, federal and state grand dollars will dry up next year, leaving each participant to directly fund the service alongside the fares riders provide.
Generac, meanwhile, has decreased its financial contribution next year as it plans to offer $18,000 toward the service.
While reviewing existing routes and ridership figures, Clapper asserted the routes with the most participants coincided with Generac’s three different shifts.
As preliminary efforts are made to begin chipping away at some of the deficit, Whitewater’s council recommended trimming Saturday routes from three to two. Officials also suggested a thorough review of weekday routes.
Council member James Winship suggested weekday routes remain as-is through at least May.
“There are people who have made plans based on this schedule,” Winship said, pointing to University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students.
Clapper said he will be meeting with representatives of the neighboring municipalities in the near future and will pass along the council’s suggestions.
