Platteville eliminating bus routes

Many University of Wisconsin-Platteville students say they rely on the City of Platteville’s public bus system, but come Jan. 1, the city is eliminating nearly all of its bus routes. City of Platteville Public Works Director says the city is cutting ties with its current bus contractor and working with a new company that is more cost-effective for the city. As a result, three out of four Platteville routes will be cut – including the city’s Black, Purple and Green Routes. The Orange Route, which runs through UW-Platteville’s campus, will remain in place, but the hours will be shortened. The Orange Route bus originally ran on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. but will now only run until 5 p.m. Low ridership numbers for the other routes were part of the decision-making process. Students still have the option to use the city’s partially subsidized taxi service, which costs $5 for one way. The contract with the new company has been signed and will remain in place until 2026.