Altoona considering adding more bus stops, public input sought

Thursday, February 2, 2017
Amanda Tyler | WEAU

ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU)-- Eau Claire city buses could soon be making more stops in Altoona as the neighboring city continues to see new growth.

The City of Eau Claire has operated a route with stops in Altoona for many years, but as Altoona continues to grow there has been more interest in expanding bus service especially to the River Prairie Development.

Two upcoming public input sessions will give the public a chance to weigh in on several proposed options to expand transit routes.

Last year, Eau Claire Transit estimates roughly 12,000 people took the bus to and from Railroader Country.

"You're looking at 13-14 passengers per hour," transit manager Tom Wagener explained.

Wagener says as the City of Altoona has seen growth passengers have been asking if the bus stops will grow too.

"Our bus drivers have reported to us that passengers are asking if we are ever going to go to Woodman's," he said.

The City of Altoona and Eau Claire Transit have put their heads together to come up with several different options to expand bus stops in Altoona. The first option to expand routes would add a bus stop at Woodman's.

"We know that Woodman's is a destination now and we hope that extending bus service will increase ridership and provide opportunity," Altoona city planner Joshua Clements said.

Other options would add stops at Woodman's and several other spots in Altoona including Altoona Middle School, the Hillcrest Trailer Park and the Classic at Hillcrest Greens. Adding more stops on top of just Woodman's comes at a cost. Eau Claire Transit says it would have to decrease the frequency of buses in order to accommodate the added stops.

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