City of Manitowoc
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) — The City of Manitowoc is developing plans to bring its paratransit service in-house.
City leaders are aiming to bring the service in-house beginning January 1, 2027, following the expiration of its current contract with Assist-to-Transport at the end of 2026.
While Assist-to-Transport recently announced its intention to discontinue operations in the area, the City says it has been reviewing the future of the service well before that announcement. Earlier this year, City officials notified the company of concerns raised by users of the service and informed them that the existing contract would expire at the end of 2026.
Manitowoc’s Personnel Committee met on October 5 to review the positions, compensation structure, and operational framework necessary to bring the service in-house.
The matter is scheduled for further discussion at this Thursday’s Public Works Committee meeting, where plans to establish a City-operated paratransit system are expected to receive committee approval. Funding for the service was also discussed during the Finance Committee’s budget meeting on Monday evening and will be reviewed again during Thursday’s budget deliberations.
As planning continues, the City anticipates adding a combination of full-time and part-time positions necessary to operate the service beginning in 2027.
“We understand that the recent announcement may have caused concern for residents who depend on this service and for their families,” Mayor Justin Nickels said. “I want to assure the community that the City has been planning for this transition for several months. The plan is to have an in-house service ready to begin January 1, 2027, so that eligible residents continue to have access to safe and dependable transportation.”
Kevin Bottesi, Transit Division Manager for Maritime Metro Transit said, “This transition represents an opportunity to improve the delivery of an essential community service while exercising greater financial responsibility and maintaining a higher level of oversight. The goal is straightforward: provide better service, responsibly manage public resources, and ensure the City has the tools and accountability necessary to meet the transportation needs of Manitowoc residents.”
The City says their intention was to provide a public announcement once transitional plans had been finalized through the committee and budget process. Assist-to-Transport’s announcement was made before the City’s planning and budget review process had concluded.
Additional details regarding service operations, employment opportunities, rider information, and implementation timelines will be released as the City’s plans are finalized.
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