| By Big Radio News Staff |
Officials plan closer inspection of the Beloit-Janesville Express.
The two cities are trying to wrangle enough money to hire a consultant to study the intercity bus line. Last week, Beloit’s city council gave city staff permission to apply for $80,000 in state grant funding for that purpose.
That amount would cover 80% of the cost of a consultant with the rest coming from the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation and the two cities’ general funds.
The Beloit-Janesville Express route has not changed much since its inception about 30 years ago. A study would focus on redefining the route to meet the current needs of riders.
The route connects the transit systems in both cities and is designed to help Beloit residents access county agencies based in Janesville. It also allows riders from both cities to access educational and recreational facilities and workplaces in either city or at points in between.
Funding for the bus line, which comes from both cities and a consortium of nonprofit and educational entities, is only guaranteed through the end of 2025.
Officials hope studying the route and redesigning it could help convince private businesses that might benefit from a new route to join the funding consortium.
