Dunn County Transit Surges to 126,000 Riders in Record Year

BREAKING NEWS: Dunn County Transit has achieved an astonishing milestone, with ridership soaring to 126,000 passengers in 2023. This remarkable turnaround comes after years of strategic planning and community-focused improvements, transforming the transit system from struggling routes to a thriving service in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Officials announced that this triumphant growth did not happen overnight. Dunn County Transit faced significant challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when ridership plummeted. At one point, community routes saw as few as zero to three riders over an entire eight-hour shift. Director of Dunn County Facilities, Parks & Transit, Austin Witt, emphasized, “You make a change, you just can’t expect that change to show right away. Results take time.”

The community route, known for its complexity, was a major issue that deterred potential riders. “It was very hard to understand even for our riders and drivers,” Witt explained. Riders could spend an hour and a half on a bus without reaching their destination. In response to community feedback, transit officials streamlined the route to one hour and eliminated bus fares to attract more riders.

The decision to make rides free laid the groundwork for Dunn County Transit’s resurgence. Witt noted, “Getting the route down to one hour, making it free to the public to expand that ridership, exposure, and everything else—those are kind of the building blocks to where it is today.”

In 2023, after fares were reinstated, Dunn County Transit celebrated its best year ever, reflecting a community that once again trusts its transit system. The strong ridership numbers from 2025 indicate that this trend is likely to continue, finishing just below the record high.

Witt highlighted the importance of community confidence, stating, “It shows the city of Menominee that its residents have faith in us to continue doing what we do in providing this service for the community.”

Dunn County Transit’s success story is a testament to the power of strategic planning and active community engagement. As the system continues to evolve, residents can look forward to a reliable transit service that meets their needs effectively.

Stay tuned for more updates on Dunn County Transit’s ongoing developments and future plans. This is a story not just about transportation, but about community resilience and commitment to improving public services.