Issue Reopened

If we want to be working towards a better future, we need to make it easier for all people to get to and from work, school, shopping and appointments. It is wrong-headed, and even backwards-thinking, to expect everyone to have or even want to drive everywhere they go. Get ahead of the curve, plan for growth and give businesses a reason to move to this area.

Issue Closed

Issue reopened

I don't see why an issue should be closed if it has not been resolved. I posted this back in 2010, and the need for public transit in Wisconsin Rapids still remains. We have a large population of residents over the age of 65 who would like to drive less. We have many residents with disabilities, and we have residents like myself who would like to lessen their carbon footprint by utilizing public transit. I bike when weather permits, and walk to many places as well, but I still drive way more than I would like to. I would ask that anyone closing this issue explain their reasoning. Thank you.

Run from kwik trip on west grand to kwik trip on 8th st. and back. That covers the main artery in town. It is a start!

Rapids already has "public transit". Its called River City Cab.

Yes but it's a bit weak to not have a bus service. Even Stevens Point has buses!

Wisconsin Rapids Code Enforcement assigned this issue to SCFWR Admin

better idea would be those that want to drive less or DECREASE the CARBON footprint might look at spending their own money on an electric car :-)

problem is who pays for it?? the tax payer!. If over 55 we already have bus service in the form of wheels and cabs for youngers are quite cheap. I don't think the taxpayer will ever support this in wisrap. Green is a false premiss if you really look at cost versus payback

Problem is not solved, so should not be closed. This is more than an environmental issue... it is something that would benefit those living in poverty, the elderly, disabled, and those who simply don't want to drive. It amazes me that people are not in an uproar for the backdoor tax that is the expectation that everyone own, maintain, and drive their own automobile. Quite an expensive addiction indeed.

Let's face it, most people (I don't know of any here) aren't expected to cough up more than $60,000 in taxes every 10 years (a rather low estimate for replacement vehicle, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and registration), but are quite comfortable to do so for their own vehicle? Makes zero sense to me.

Would public transit cost the taxpayers? Yes, but very little in comparison. Public transit is a user pays system, so it is never fully funded with tax dollars.

but you are still asking people to pay for something that 99% don't need! And if they are so destitute will they have the money to take public transportation. The only place I have ever seen it work has been in big cities and also your cost of a vehicle is way off. The convenience of the few doesn't justify the cost to the public

The problem is not solved, so it should not be closed.

It will never happen here.

According to statistics from the Department of Transportation the average American drives between 10,000 and 20,000 miles per year depending on their age demographic (people in their 30s and 40s tend to put on around 18,000 miles per year). I based the following on driving behavior that would include about 12,000 miles per year, so this is fairly conservative.

Base cost for a moderate new car = $30,000 (this would be the cost for a new sedan; for a new truck or van, the cost would be upwards of $40,000; no luxury cars are considered here)

Cost of fuel fill-ups assessed at 1 per week/52 weeks out of the year/10 years = $30 X 52 X 10 = $15,600

Cost of regular maintenance including 4 oil changes per year (at $40 a pop), 2 tire rotations per year (at $20 each), 1 alignment per year ($40), plus $300 per year to go toward things like brake pads, fluid replacement (anti-freeze, brake, transmission), tire replacement and more costly repairs that may be needed over the lifespan of the vehicle = $5,400

Cost of insurance assessed at $600 per year = $6,000

Cost of vehicle registration assessed at $75 per year = $750

Okay, so that comes to $57,750, but it also does not include things like taxes that go toward road building, repair and maintenance (including assessments where city residents pay for the new road, curb and gutter in front of their house); cost of drivers license; cost of parking meters; cost of fines; cost of add-ons (seat and steering wheel covers, emergency equipment such as jumper cables, etc.); cost of garage; cost of car washes.

So maybe you drive old junkers that run you around $3,000 -$5,000 for the base cost. Chances are pretty good that you will be replacing these more often than every 10 years and will require shelling out more money for repairs. The cost may be a little bit lower, but I know of people who have driven junkers, and given their repair bills, the fact that they had to purchase replacement vehicles more often, and the need to at times rent a vehicle, the cost comes pretty close to this.

After 10 years, won’t you get some money back from the sale of your vehicle? You will, but cars depreciate fast, and it is likely that you will only get a few thousand towards the trade-in of your next vehicle, and 10 years from now, be prepared to pay even more for that new car.

There are very few ways to really come out paying far less without driving a personal vehicle far less. If you find a dealer who sells salvage title vehicles that are reliable (which is kind of like winning the lottery, but I have been fortunate enough to find this), you might be able to shave off $15,000 from this. If you get that rare reliable vehicle from a car auction, you might be able to shave off a significant sum. But for the average American, these opportunities will not exist. Bottom line.

Unless you have completed a needs assessment for public transit for the community of Wisconsin Rapids, you have no idea of what percentage would benefit from this. Currently, more than $18,000 of taxpayer dollars go to River Cities Cab so that they can provide reduced rate cab fare to those who cannot drive due to age or disability (which has to be proven through a form that is completed by a social worker or a doctor). If you still have your license, even if you don’t feel comfortable driving, be prepared to pay the whole cost. The cab company has also received funds for the Safe Ride Home program (in an effort to prevent people from driving drunk) and Incourage (to help low-income Mid-State students to be able to afford cab fare to and from school). These funding streams could all go toward public transit and have little impact on the business of the cab company (many residents who could benefit from the reduced fares don’t know that they exist or don’t know how to go about getting the card for reduced rate cab fare).

And if this number crunching to reflect the cost of personalized motor vehicle usage doesn’t provide additional proof of the need for public transit, maybe these two words will: peak oil.

Because of peak oil, I have no doubt that Wisconsin Rapids will eventually have public transit within my lifetime. When I initially posted this need, my hope was that city officials would conduct a feasibility study. I am willing to accept the results of that study, no matter what they are. I know that public transit in some cities costs taxpayers an additional $65 per year. Given what I am paying for personal transit (and especially considering that I am paying more than an additional $700 per year in property taxes to pay for the new road, curb and gutter on the street where I live), I don’t think that is a huge some. I also believe that the cost per taxpayer would be lower here, given that only one or two routes would be needed.

I will tell you that every time I did a public interest canvass in Wisconsin Rapids, even though public transit was something that I didn’t even ask about, many residents would express that it is what they wanted. We have a higher percentage of residents over the age of 65 than most parts of Wisconsin, and this is a group that will use public transit if given the option.

This issue is to remain open until the city conducts a needs assessment and/or feasibility study. I have presented more than enough reasons why it will remain open until then.

get a job,, you have way too much time on your hands, No body services their vehicle like that, at least not in this town.. it will never happen, buy roller skates!

I work full time, serving my country. You are welcome. It doesn't take that much time to reason logically.

Take it up with the Mayor and aldermen. It will not get fixed here.

This is a forum that the mayor and aldermen look at. Why do people feel so threatened by this that they insist on closing it?

Thank you for your comments and interest in these issues. Your issue has been routed to the proper person for attention. If you have further questions please contact ordinance control or your alderman.