MENOMONIE, Wis. – Dunn County Transit recently reported that 2025 ridership on the Community Route was the highest in history.
Facilities, Parks and Transit Director Austin Witt recently presented the 2025 Transit Annual Report to the Dunn County Board, which included the Community Route amassing 20,660 rides in 2025. That is a 29 percent increase over 2024 and 73 percent above the 10-year average.
The Community Route is Dunn County Transit’s fixed-route bus service in Menomonie. It operates on an hourly loop connecting key destinations such as UW–Stout, downtown, grocery stores, medical facilities and major employers.
Witt attributed the growth to several years of strategic improvements that began with a major route redesign implemented on June 1, 2021. The goal of that redesign was to make the Community Route simpler, faster and easier for riders to understand.
Prior to the change, the system operated as an alternating route that served different parts of Menomonie at different times throughout the day. The south side was served during the front half of every even hour (excluding noon), the north side during the back half of each hour, and the east side during the front half of every odd hour (including noon).This structure provided broad coverage but was difficult for riders to remember and often resulted in longer travel times.
Ridership data showed that some stops being served multiple times each day were receiving extremely low usage: Stops that were served eight times per day, five days per week, recorded as few as 11 total pick-ups in an entire year. Those low-use stops were removed, streamlining the route and allowing it to be completed consistently within one hour.
The redesign reduced travel times, improved reliability and made the schedule more intuitive for riders by creating a predictable hourly loop. Witt noted that prior to the redesign, there were days the route would not receive a single rider during eight hours of service.
“Over time, those efficiencies — paired with increased awareness, improved rider information and a strong team at Dunn County Transit — helped the Community Route grow into a service that better meets Menomonie’s needs,” Witt said.
The Transit Commission also temporarily eliminated fares until fall 2023, which helped rebuild ridership, and in early 2025, Dunn County Transit upgraded technology to improve real-time tracking accuracy. Reliability was increased so that across 48,682 miles and more than 4,400 hours of fixed-route service in 2025, breakdown-related downtime was less than one hour, Witt said.
Dunn County Transit also benefits from an experienced and stable workforce, representing 53.7 combined years of service, with an average tenure of 5.4 years. Witt said that balance of long-term experience and new staff growth has strengthened daily operations, customer service and overall system reliability.
Ridership on the UW-Stout Route also increased over 2024, with 85,800 morning route riders and 12,947 afternoon riders in 2025, compared to 81,804 and 11,586 respectively in 2024.
Witt attributed the increase to “the consistent deployment of larger transit buses nearly 100 percent of the time. Increased capacity and reliability helped accommodate demand throughout the academic year and contributed to a better rider experience.”
Doorstop/Red Cedar service provided 6,271 rides, also nearly a record and above the 5,801 rides provided in 2024. “Doorstop/Red Cedar services remain a vital component of the system,” Witt added.
Volunteer drivers completed 81 rides in 2025, and early 2026 scheduling suggests the program could continue to grow. “By offering broader trip flexibility, the Volunteer Driver Program helps meet specialized transportation needs while allowing Doorstop service to focus on core in-county demand,” Witt said.
Dunn County Transit delivered 8,037 service hours and 95,660 miles with zero accidents in 2025.
Two electric shuttle buses are scheduled for delivery between June and August 2026. Charging infrastructure is already installed and staff training and operational planning are underway to ensure a smooth transition.
“With stable partnerships, ongoing technology investments, and the upcoming addition of electric buses, we expect continued growth in 2026,” Witt said. “Our team is committed to delivering safe, sustainable and accessible transit for all residents.”
For real-time bus tracking and route information, visit https://dunnride.com
