Sturtevant Mulls BUS Service Extension To Correctional Center

Trustees in Sturtevant are giving a preliminary nod to proposed changes to the BUS route that would run a bus to the Racine Correctional Center.

Al Stanek, director of parking and transit systems in Racine, made a presentation Tuesday during the Continual Committee meeting. His suggestion is to change the route slightly so buses go through the Renaissance on Highway H to Durand Avenue and back north on Wisconsin for a stop at RCI.

The goal is to serve more businesses - including United Natural Foods when it opens next year - while actually reducing the amount Sturtevant pays into the bus service.

The village paid $52,754 for BUS service this year.

"I'm looking for guidance on these proposed changes," Stanek said. "Hopefully the money will be less, but we are still figuring that out."

There was a little bit of static between Stanek and Village President Steve Jansen about how to quantify ridership that originates in Sturtevant.

"We have never gotten solid ridership numbers, and we are asking our taxpayers to set aside money for people who don't live here," Jansen said.

Stanek conceded the BUS doesn't necessarily serve village residents but it does bring employees to village businesses.

But Trustee Chris Wight pointed out that with the bus traveling down Washington Ave. it doesn't really go where Sturtevant residents live.

"I would argue that village residents don't ride because routes don't go anywhere near where residents live," he said. "I think this change makes more sense because there's less back-and-forth and it makes the south side more attractive."

Committee members agreed so trustees are expected to pass a resolution at their Aug. 6 board meeting approving the change.

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