March 20, 2026
By TIM HUNDT
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – The Vernon County Board of Supervisors officially voted to end the county partnership with the Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit bus system following the 2026 calendar year. The decision during the March 19 board meeting brings a quiet end to a regional transit debate that sparked intense public outcry and budget battles late last year.
The Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit (SMRT) program is a daily bus service that connects rural residents in communities like Viroqua, Tomah, and Prairie du Chien to essential jobs and medical appointments in the La Crosse area. Originally launched in December 2012 by the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission, the program’s administrative duties were taken over by La Crosse County in 2019. Financially, the transit system is supported by a combination of state and federal grants, alongside local matching contributions solicited annually from La Crosse County and regional partner municipalities in Vernon, Monroe, and Crawford counties. Operationally, the physical buses are owned and driven through a contract with Running, Inc., a private company based in Viroqua, while a regional SMRT bus committee consisting of representatives from the participating counties meets quarterly to review system data and operations.
During the county budget process in November 2025, Vernon County officials were informed that La Crosse County planned to cancel the regional service due to low ridership and a funding shortfall. Following an organized petition drive by transit advocates La Crosse County reversed course and approved temporary funding for 2026 asking regional partners to help carry the load. Vernon County supervisors amended their own budget at the last minute to restore a $15,000 dollar contribution to keep the buses running for one more year.
However the financial reality of extending the service into 2027 proved too costly for the county to absorb. Administrative Coordinator Cassandra Hanan walked the board through the recent numbers provided by La Crosse County which administers the program. Hanan explained that La Crosse County is currently subsidizing the transit system by over $250,000 dollars and asked partner counties to drastically increase their contributions.
“Our projected contribution for 2027 is $113,977 dollars,” said Hanan. “I do not have an additional $100,000 dollars in the county budget to support a program that supports 11 riders a day”.
Hanan noted that ridership continues to decline across the region. According to numbers provided by La Crosse County, the Vernon County route averaged 13 riders a day in 2024 but dropped to just 11 riders a day in 2025. She also informed the board that major partners including Monroe County and local hospital systems have withdrawn their financial support. With strict state levy limits in place Hanan stressed that the county simply cannot raise taxes to cover the massive increase.
“If we were to move forward with this we would have to find somewhere else in the county that we are cutting by $100,000 dollars,” said Hanan. “And realistically that is not possible”.
Supervisor Wayde Lawler recognized the difficult position but asked if there were any other grants or funding avenues on the horizon that could save the program.
“Are you aware of any development alternative to simple county funding that is in the works or might be forthcoming this year,” said Lawler.
“Not at this time,” said Hanan.
With the formal end of the transit program approaching board members spent time discussing how to help the residents who rely on the bus for daily transportation. Board Chair Lorn Goede suggested the county use its technology resources to develop a commuter network.
“There might be two people that work the same shift in La Crosse that live in Westby that they could ride share but they do not even know each other exist,” said Goede. “Probably would not cost a lot of money”.
Supervisor Dave Eggen pointed out that the county already manages a robust transportation network through the Aging and Disability Resource Center to help the elderly and disabled reach medical appointments.
“They provided 57,316 miles and a lot of those were to clinics and health care settings,” said Eggen. “There are alternatives”.
Eggen added that the county transportation services go beyond just medical needs and offer social trips that are highly utilized by residents.
“This week there they have two vans that are already filled heading to the casino,” said Eggen. “It is really popular”.
Hanan agreed with the availability of alternatives and highlighted a brand new program launched by the Human Services Department designed to fill the gaps. The Find Your Own Driver program allows eligible residents to hire a driver of their choice for medical appointments and the county reimburses the passenger for the mileage. Hanan said the county will aggressively promote these alternatives on the county website to give SMRT bus riders ample time to plan for 2027.
Supervisor Mary Henry asked about the physical buses and whether Vernon County could acquire them for their own facilities once the SMRT program shuts down.
“So these buses the smart buses this is Runnings who run this manage it,” said Henry. “If these smart buses are not going they are going to obviously have some extra buses”.
Hanan clarified that because the transit vehicles were purchased with federal grants they cannot simply be sold or handed over without following strict federal disposal guidelines.
The board concluded the discussion and moved directly to a vote on the resolution to discontinue SMRT Bus program support after 2026. The resolution was passed via a unanimous voice vote with no supervisors voicing opposition.
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