Lake Geneva selects bus company to provide transportation during project
The Lake Geneva City Council has approved Dousman Transport Company to provide bus transportation to the downtown area during the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Highway 50/Main Street road reconstruction project.
Lake Geneva will partner with a local bus company to provide transportation to the downtown area during the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Highway 50/Main Street road reconstruction project, which is scheduled to be conducted in 2027 and 2028.
On June 8, the City Council approved hiring Dousman Transport Company Inc. by a 7-1 vote, Alder Linda Frame voting "no."
Dousman Transport officials have offered to operate the program for about $273,900, however, city officials still have to negotiate a contract and determine funding options before the program is established.
"I'm optimistic we're going to get that done fairly quickly," Assistant City Administrator Chris Bennett said.
Dousman Transport, Lakefront Shuttle LLC and Lake Geneva Transit Co. LLC presented proposals during a special meeting held before the regular City Council meeting.
Larry Kirkley, president of Dousman Transport, said his company plans to use air-conditioned school buses, which are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, feature wheelchair lifts and include water coolers, as part of the program.
Two to four buses would be in operation each day, and the drivers would work four-and-half-hour shifts.
Kirkley said a dispatcher, on-call mechanic and back-up buses would be available in case of an emergency.
Bus routes have yet to be determined.
Dousman Transport provides bus transportation for Lake Geneva Schools and has provided shuttle service during Lake Geneva Oktoberfest and Winterfest.
Trolley option
City officials had previously considered using trolleys during the project, and Frame offered a motion to hire Lake Geneva Transit, which presented a trolley transportation program.
The motion failed on a 2-6 vote, with Frame and Alder Cindy Yager voting "yes."
Parking revenue as funding option
City officials plan to use parking revenue to help offset the costs of the program, and are considering additional paid parking areas near Central-Denison Elementary School, 900 Wisconsin St., and Cove of Lake Geneva, 111 Center St., and Town Bank, 567 Broad St., during the road project.
"If we don't use those sites for parking, the city will identify other sites that it can use and we will adjust whatever route we have accordingly," Bennett said.
In other business, the council:
■Approved a private event permit requiring exclusive parking use for the Buffalo Grove Cheerleading Camp, June 9-11 and June 15-17. Approved private event permit requiring reserved downtown parking for the Lake Geneva Firebells Fundraiser on Sept. 20.
■ Approved agent change for Stone Soup LLC, the Baker House, 327 Wrigley Drive to Robert Lopez.
■ Approved directing proper city officials to issue alcohol license renewals for July 1 through June 30, 2027.
■ Approved a conditional use permit filed by Robert Loquercio to install an open fence within the street yard at a maximum height of four feet at 310 W. Main St.
■ Approved issuing Riviera Beach passes for Eastview Elementary School's summer program.
