Page 28 - 2015 Compass Now

COMMUNITY • The homeless population is growing and lacks the ability to pay for a transportation pass.
• There is a lack of appropriate reimbursement for transportation to individuals who are on Medical

Assistance.
• There is a negative impact of rising fuel costs on taxis and other forms of transportation, all of which

become inaccessible for many residents due to the cost.
• There is a need for more wheelchair spaces on mini-buses.
• A more coordinated effort of informing people about transportation services available is needed.
• There are spatial mismatches. Many people, such as retail and warehouse workers, need

transportation to and from work during hours when there may be limited services available.
• There is a lack of awareness by the general public and employers of transportation needs for low

income individuals.
• Literacy is a problem for some populations that need transportation services.

There are general transportation fixed route services connecting areas of La Crosse, La Crescent and
Onalaska. The Onalaska/Holmen/West Salem Public Transit (OHWSPT) is a demand-response, door-to-door
public transportation system serving the citizens of the city of Onalaska and the villages of Holmen and
West Salem. In 2009, the La Crosse County Aging Unit contracted with a third party to provide shared-ride
taxi service to any resident in the town of Holland, the village of Bangor, and the village of Rockland. Find-A-
Ride is a grant-funded transportation referral service administered by the La Crosse County Aging Unit. The
service currently helps travelers connect to transportation services in La Crosse County, but plans are being
made to do the same in Monroe, Trempealeau, and Vernon Counties in Wisconsin, as well as in the southeast
portion of Minnesota and the northeast portion of Iowa. Additional public transit services available in the
planning area include Semcac and the “33 Express.” The aging unit provides transportation services to the
elderly (60 years and older) and adults with disabilities throughout La Crosse County through the La Crosse
County Minibus, and the Volunteer Driver Program (VDP). Several not-for-profit organizations and churches
also provide some transportation services for their customers/clients.

According to data from the U.S. Census, the main method of commuting to work is driving a car alone. See
Table 1. With increasing fuel prices and increased unemployment and poverty, transportation can provide a
significant financial challenge. In Spring 2009, Active Living La Crescent conducted a survey of La Crescent
residents to measure knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to active living and community design5.
The survey revealed that 39% of the respondents walked or biked for functional purposes, and 3% walked
or biked to work. More than half of the respondents stated they would be more active if bike facilities were
available.

Table 1: Means of Transportation to Work (2009-2013)

La Crosse Monroe Trempealeau Vernon Houston
80%
Drove Alone 87% 76% 81% 75.5% 8%
Carpooled 11%
Public 10% 9.5% 8.5% 23.5% 1%
Other
2% 14% 0.5% 0.5%

1% 0.5% 10% 0.5%

Source: U.S. Census, Commuting (Journey to Work) Worker Flows, 2009-2013

20 COMPASS NOW 2015