Governor Scott Walker has proclaimed October 5 -11 to be Wisconsin Transit Week. Transit Week is a time each year to promote and celebrate the transit systems across Wisconsin that contribute to the state’s economy and quality of life.

Wisconsin has 81 public transit systems, including urban and rural bus systems and shared-ride taxis. These transit systems provide an affordable, and for many, necessary alternative to driving. In Wisconsin, 48% of riders use public transit to get to work and another 23% for education.

City Manager Mark Freitag shares the following, “The Janesville Transit System provides safe, on-time and convenient transportation services for the community. I consider the services JTS offers to be an economic driver for Janesville: JTS gets people to work, school, medical appointments and shopping venues. There are many individuals in Janesville that depend on JTS to get around. I am proud of the service JTS provides and am happy to celebrate Transit Week.”

In addition to enabling people to get where they need to go, transit saves riders money and helps protect the environment. According to AAA, the total cost to drive a car is about 58 cents per mile. Households that use public transportation and live with one less car can save almost $9,000 every year.

“Transit week is a good time to remind ourselves that more than half of Wisconsin’s residents, whether they live in big cities or small villages, have access to public transportation, and that they rely on those buses and local taxis to get to work, to school, to shopping and to medical care,” said Jerry Deschane, League of Wisconsin Municipalities Executive Director. The League is partnering with the Wisconsin Transportation Development Association and the Wisconsin Counties Association as well as other statewide organizations.  

For questions about JTS, please contact Transit Director Rebecca Smith at 755-3150.