The Wisconsin Transit Riders Alliance is a coalition of transit advocates and transit advocacy organizations who share a common interest in state-level transit policy and finance. Public transit agencies may be local and local governments may be the decision-making face the public sees, but those entities are impacted in multiple ways both positively and negatively by state-level policy and finance. As transit riders in the state, we must ally ourselves to voice a state level message: We want more and better local transit service and amenities (paratransit, shared-ride taxi, vans, buses, streetcars, rail) and more and better intercity bus and train service and amenities.

We believe that a variety of transportation options, including good public transit, should be available so people and businesses can consider convenience, time, health, accessibility, sustainability, safety and cost when choosing how to travel. Good public transit supports the dignity and freedom of all individuals, promotes participation in our society, creates an open, hospitable and welcoming community, respects the environment, opens economic opportunity to all and moves people to where they need to go.

Established in 2013, Wisconsin Transit Riders Alliance is a nonstock D-corporation in the state of Wisconsin with ID WO61452. It has 501(c)(3) IRS status and an EIN of 46-3987580. Our mission is to  to engage in research, education, partnership, and advocacy with the goal of making Wisconsin transit as safe, efficient, clean, sustainable, accessible and affordable as possible. We also have a public discussion group open to everyone (members and nonmembers alike) on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/189958811633915.

• Board of Directors
• Bylaws
• Policies
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
  • Privacy Policy
• Plans
  • Short term (Strategic Plan)
  • Fuller Platform
• Positions
  • Transit Should Stay in Transportation Fund
  • Funding Public Transit is Better for Job Creation

A map of Wisconsin’s public transit systems from the state’s Department of Transportation shows the existence of many transit routes and transit areas throughout the state:

Our potential is thus huge. So far though, we are down to three chapters: Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance, La Crosse Area Transit Advocates, and Madison Area Bus Advocates. Our state (and now federal too) legislature has been unfriendly toward anything that does not involve driving an automobile. It even took transit out of the Transportation Fund (really took it back to the Highway Fund). We need your voice to help change that. Fill out this FORM.

Page Last Updated February 4, 2026