Janesville to receive $1.66 million for transit
JANESVILLE — Stimulus money for the Janesville Transit System could put a new bus garage within reach this year.
The city will receive $1.66 million in stimulus money for transit, including $1.4 million for construction of a new operations and maintenance facility, said Dave Mumma, transit director.
The city bought 5.4 acres of land for the garage at the corner of Black Bridge Road and Highway 51 for $350,000 in 2007. At the time, it estimated a new garage would cost $5 million to $6 million.
Janesville needs a new bus garage because the one at 900 N. Parker Drive is worn-out and too small, Mumma said.
"To prepare ourselves for the future, we’re looking to build a new facility," he said.
The city has set aside money in past years for the project. The addition of the stimulus money puts it about halfway to the total cost, and it hopes to get the rest of the money from federal transportation grants as soon as this fall, Mumma said.
Construction could begin late this year or early next year at the earliest, he said. The city is in the process of hiring an engineering and architectural firm.
About $258,000 will go toward new or upgraded waiting shelters, a new service truck and the repair of several buses, according to a news release from Rep. Mike Sheridan’s office.
"I think what folks will probably see first are some additions and replacements to our passenger waiting shelters," Mumma said.
Some of the shelters are nearly 30 years old, and the city hasn’t had the money to repair them in recent years, he said.
"This is some catch-up work we’re doing," he said.
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Apr 22, 2009 at 9:52 a.m.
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my kid rides the bus a few times a week when he isn't able to use our car,to go to work. It is a dollar everytime, but it gets him there. But he does say they are mostly empty everytime he rides. Only 3-4 people on. I don't know what the solution is, maybe get smaller buses or vans maybe?? but it does seem a waste. I don't know how else my kid could get to work otherwise?!
Apr 22, 2009 at 6:44 a.m.
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Most people ride these buses to what? Their jobs! That's right, we don't have any. So I guess it's make perfect sense to spend millions to make sure that little elderly ladies to to their hair appts.
Apr 22, 2009 at 1:33 a.m.
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It would make sense to have 12 to 15 passenger gas powered vehicles that don't belch smoke, but I suppose fedgov requires those huge monsters to get our own money back...Those privately-owned huge SUVs were hated for being such overkill, now what about these monsters always running around mostly empty??
Apr 22, 2009 at 1:15 a.m.
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I'd be more satisfied with buses that don't belch a dirty black cloud when I'm behind them at a stop light.
The buses with the exhaust near the roof are better... but how about fixing the emissions on the buses?
Apr 22, 2009 at 1:02 a.m.
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So, J'vll has imaginary bus passengers just like Beloit has .......
Apr 22, 2009 at 12:54 a.m.
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I can't believe the City paid 350K for 5.4 acres of land! That comes to $64,814.81 per acre! The old bus garage is too old and small, only if you feel you NEED a bigger, newer shinier garage. I live on the bus route - and they are ALWAYS empty, or with 2-4 passengers.
Apr 21, 2009 at 6:33 p.m.
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Hybrid buses were not available in the US until recently, they are much more expensive, and their payback/ROI is insufficient when fuel prices are low.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/4...
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Buses also serve other purposes than reducing emissions. If you replace a number of vehicles in a highway lane, for example, you are probably succeeding in reducing emissions and fuel usage. But buses in the US outside of urbanized metro areas are largely used and maintained only as transportation of last resort. As such they serve other purposes such as permitting people to get a job before they have the money to buy a car.
Apr 21, 2009 at 6:25 p.m.
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SuperDave that does seem like a good idea and would have to say that is the most intelligent thing I have heard from you. However, if you have more vans then you have more drivers and they are the most expensive part of the equation. Though it would be easier to turn over a fleet with newer more efficient vehicles as they become available which may offset the cost of more drivers. What about getting rid of buses altogether and subsidizing cabs?
Apr 21, 2009 at 6:14 p.m.
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Dave- Yes, that would make perfect sense.
Does J'vll actually need those huge busses?
How many passengers are on them at any given time?
Apr 21, 2009 at 3:15 p.m.
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How about smaller busses? If they're as empty as you say, why not scale down a couple notches?
In fact, why not replace full-sized busses with twice as many passenger vans, and then run them twice as frequently to cut down on wait times?
Apr 21, 2009 at 2:22 p.m.
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Beloit should at least get some hybrid busses so they're not burning so much fuel while sitting and waiting for imaginary passengers.
Apr 21, 2009 at 1:06 p.m.
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The gubmint answers common questions:
Q. Where does the $1.66 Million come from?
A. Taxes.
Q. Then aren't you just returning some of our own money?
A. Just a smidgen.
Q. Then why not just leave it here in the first place?
A. Shutup.
Apr 21, 2009 at 11:56 a.m.
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i think janesville has bigger bus population.
Apr 21, 2009 at 11:04 a.m.
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I wonder if Beloit is going to get any more money to run their many busses around empty all day....I was in Beloit one day and was amazed as I watched this for hours.Bus after bus pulled up and left empty, engines running and running in the lineup, ALL day...Does this happen in J'ville too??
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How about those "emissions"???
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