Expired ADA Paratransit Cards
ADA paratransit riders with green and yellow cards are strongly encouraged to check their card's expiration date. If the card is near or at expiration, riders will need to re-apply for certification. The ADA application can be found at:
http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Transit/pdf/ADA_Application.pdf
If your ADA card does not have an expiration date (lists "perm" or "permanent"), there is no need at this time to re-apply for a new card.
OTS Holiday Hours
The Oshkosh Transit System's bus service will not be operating on the following days of the upcoming holiday season.
December 24th – No service
December 25th – No service
December 31st – No service
January 1st – No service
In addition to the days above, the Oshkosh Transit System office will be closed on December 23rd, December 26th, and January 2nd, 2012.
New Designated Bus Stops on Route 4
Effective December 5, 2011, Route 4 (North Main) will only board and exit riders at bus stop signs. To see a map of the bus stop signs on Route 4, please click on the link below.
Route 4 map
Currently, Route 4 is the only route with designated bus stops.
Final Transit Development Plan
The 5-year Transit Development Plan (TDP) for the Oshkosh Transit System (OTS) was recently finalized and adopted by the Oshkosh Common Council. The final TDP can be viewed by clicking here.
Kids Ride FREE to the Library
If kids are looking for a fun summer activity, find the nearest bus route and let OTS take you safely to the library for free. Starting May 31st, 2011, kids can ride OTS buses to and from the Oshkosh Public Library (OPL) for FREE. When boarding the bus, simply show the bus driver your library card. For a free return trip home, you'll need to get a free ride ticket from the library.
The program is open to K-12 students and helps to promote the OPL's Summer Reading Programs. Participants in OPL's Summer Reading Programs have the chance to win prizes.
The free rides to the library promotion ends on September 3rd.
This summer, books and buses are a great combination.
A special thanks to the Oshkosh Public Library for helping to support this outstanding offer.
OTS Releases Draft of Transit Development Plan
A draft of the Transit Development Plan (TDP) for the Oshkosh Transit System (OTS) was recently finalized and is now available for public comment. The TDP planning process included a comprehensive examination of Oshkosh Transit services. The plan identifies recommendations for improving the system and its services over the next five years.
Two public information meetings will be held to take public comments on the draft plan. The dates and locations include:
Oshkosh Public Library
Room AB
Monday, June 13th - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
(Presentation at 2:00 pm)
Oshkosh Seniors Center
Willow Rooms
Monday, June 13th - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
(Presentation at 6:30 pm)
The draft TDP can be viewed online at:
http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Transit/pdf/Oshkosh_TDP_Complete_draft.pdf .
Hard copies of the plan can also be reviewed by contacting Dave Vickman of the Oshkosh Transit System at (920) 232-5340.
The draft TDP was created through a process facilitated by the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and overseen by a steering committee comprised of community representatives and other stakeholders. Numerous public input opportunities were made available throughout the planning process. Public input was the primary driving force for recommendations identified in the plan.
The previous TDP for OTS was completed in July of 2005.
For more information, please contact Chris Strong, City of Oshkosh Transportation Director and Manager of the Oshkosh Transit System, at (920) 232-5342 or cstrong@ci.oshkosh.wi.us.
Growing Bike Rack Use
OTS bike rack usage continues to grow. During the first year of service, OTS carried over 3,500 trips that included a bike. The racks were installed on all buses on August 29, 2009 as part of OTS's Bike N Ride Promotion. From January to April of 2011, bike rack usage was up 70% over the same numbers in 2010.
There is no additional cost to use the bike racks. To learn more about this program, visit http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Transit/bike_racks.htm
Thanks to area cyclists for using OTS and making the Bike N Ride Program a success!
Disabled Veterans and Children Under 6 Ride Free!
Starting January 1, 2011, OTS free fare policy will change. First, we are proud to announce that disabled veterans will be able to ride buses for free when showing their service connected ID card.
Secondly, our free fare for children under 6 will now also apply to Route 10. However, only 3 children under 6 per one fare paying rider are allowed to receive the free fare.
5th Grade Poster Contest Winners
Oshkosh Transit System (OTS) is proud to announce the winners of the “Go Green with OTS” 5th grade poster contest. The four winners are:
Bailey Lewellyn (Green Meadow Elementary School)
Christian Labus (Franklin Elementary School)
Isaac Bock (Washington Elementary School)
Joe Egan (Roosevelt Elementary School)
These students will be recognized during the December 14th Oshkosh Common Council Meeting. The meeting will begin at 6 pm in Room 406 of City Hall (215 Church Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54903).
Each winning student’s poster will be displayed within a large exterior ad (30” x 88”) on one of OTS’s new hybrid-electric buses. The four ads will be installed on the buses on December 13th and remain on the buses for two months. Smaller interior versions of these ads will also be displayed inside all OTS buses.
To view the winning posters, visit: http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Transit/poster_contest_artwork.htm
No Smoking in Bus Shelters
OTS recently placed No Smoking Stickers in all bus shelters. The No Smoking Policy continues to apply to the Transit Center and onboard OTS buses. This is an effort to make the bus service more enjoyable for all riders and to enforce the State of Wisconsin’s statewide smoking ban.
For more info on the statewide smoking ban go to:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lrb/pubs/Lb/09Lb1.pdf
OTS’s Hybrid Buses Unveiled
Oshkosh Transit will place four new hybrid-electric vehicles into service on September 21, 2010. The new hybrid buses combine both diesel and electric power. The new buses are colored green and will be circulated on all city fixed-routes throughout the year.
OTS estimates that the 4 new vehicles will save over 7,000 gallons of diesel each year when compared to conventional diesel buses. In addition to the fuel savings, the hybrids emit less pollution.
The hybrid buses were funded entirely by a $2.1 million American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant provided by the Federal Transit Administration. OTS’s project was selected for funding by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
A link to a downloadable brochure is below. The brochure provides more information on OTS’s hybrid buses.
Click here.
Go green with OTS & ride one of our new hybrids!
5th Grade Poster Contest
Oshkosh Transit System is announcing our “Go Green with OTS” 5th Grade Poster Contest. The contest is open to all City of Oshkosh public, private, or home-schooled 5th graders. 4 winning designs will be selected for display on OTS’s new hybrid buses. Each design entry should highlight the environmental benefits of Oshkosh Transit buses and encourage bus usage.
Entries are due on November 3, 2010.
A link to contest entry info is below.
Click here.
Public Participation Plan
The Oshkosh Transit System has released a Public Participation Plan that will be used throughout the upcoming Transit Development Plan process. To view the PPP, please click here.
OTS is on Facebook
OTS created a Facebook fan page for riders and community members that would like instant access to the latest news, stories, and other info impacting the Oshkosh Transit System. To view the fan page, there is a link near the upper right-hand corner of OTS’s website homepage. You can also search “Oshkosh Transit System” on Facebook or click on the icon below. Become a fan today!
Bike N Ride
OTS is proud to launch the Bike N Ride program. All Oshkosh Transit System buses are now equipped with bike racks to make your commuting easier. Bike racks on buses will provide transit riders with more options and freedom. To celebrate, all bus service will be FREE on Saturday August 29, 2009. On Saturday, a spare bus will be available at the downtown transit center (110 Pearl Ave.) from 9am – 1pm for anyone that would like to learn how to safely use the bike rack. Demo a bike and win a prize.
Please click here for more info on using the bike racks. A special thanks to the Oshkosh Cycling Club for all of their help promoting the Bike N Ride program.
OTS's New Website!!!
OTS is proud to launch its new website (oshkoshtransit.com). Thanks for visiting and exploring our new content. The new site is designed to provide easy access to important information for riders and other members of the public. We hope you are pleased with the new look and added features. A special thanks to Mr. Jason Kunkle (City of Oshkosh, IT Department) for all of his help designing and launching the new website.
Stimulus Funding enables OTS to purchase Hybrid Buses
The Oshkosh Transit System was recently awarded $2.1 million in federal stimulus funds to purchase hybrid buses. This capital purchase will allow OTS to replace existing vehicles that have reached their useful life. OTS is excited to begin planning for the purchase of these buses. Hybrid bus technology is expected to boost OTS's image, benefit our environment, improve air quality, and reduce fuel consumption.