Connect with us

Business

La Crosse MTU celebrates Transit Equity with special ceremonies and free bus rides

Published

on

Safe transportation for everyone in the La Crosse area is being promoted by the local MTU, marking Transit Equity Days this week.

Free fares on system buses and other special programs were included in the awareness event happening through Wednesday.

MTU director Adam Lorentz says the Transit Equity promotion helps bring more people onto the city buses. “We’re trying to get people who have never ridden the bus before,” says Lorentz, because some people don’t know what the city has to offer. “We’re trying to get all walks of life to utilize public transportation.”

MTU director Adam Lorentz promotes Equity Days for local transit in La Crosse at the Grand River Station on Tuesday

Some special Tuesday bus rides included candidates for mayor and city council in the spring election.

Mass transit user Liz Fryseth, who uses a guide dog, says city buses are cheaper than taking a taxi, and provide good customer service. “From giving a quick phone call to the transit center if I had a question about a route, they’re always good about answering, to actually getting on the bus and making sure I need to get where I need to go, you just gotta give a little extra time,” says Fryseth.

As part of the Equity Days promotion, MTU bus rides were free on Tuesday. The SMRT bus rides are free all day Wednesday.

February 4th is recognized as a national Transit Equity Day, honoring the birthday of Rosa Parks, who worked against racial discrimination on mass transit.

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *