KENOSHA, Wis. — After at least 15 years of discussions, disagreements and disputes over who should foot the bill, Kenosha Area Transit is once again proposing bus service to Walmart and Festival Foods in the Village of Somers. The proposed expansion, which could take effect as early as December, raises a longstanding question that remains unanswered: Will Somers contribute financially to the service, or will Kenosha taxpayers be responsible for the cost?
(File Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
City officials announced Friday, November 13, that Kenosha Area Transit will hold a public meeting Monday, November 23, at 5 p.m. at its headquarters, located at 4303 39th Ave. in Kenosha. The meeting will allow residents, transit riders and business owners to review the proposed changes to Route 31 and provide feedback before any final decisions are made.
The idea of extending Kenosha’s public bus service to the Walmart and Festival Foods locations in Somers is far from new. The issue has been discussed for at least 15 years, with previous Kenosha mayors resisting the expansion because of concerns that Somers would benefit financially from shoppers arriving by bus while declining to contribute toward the cost of providing that transportation.
At the center of the longstanding dispute is the question of fairness to Kenosha taxpayers. Walmart and Festival Foods are located in the Village of Somers, meaning shoppers who travel there spend their money at businesses located outside Kenosha’s municipal boundaries. Previous city administrations have questioned why Kenosha should bear the expense of transporting customers to businesses in a neighboring municipality without a financial contribution from that municipality.
The proposed expansion would potentially provide a valuable service to residents who depend on public transportation, particularly those without access to personal vehicles. Grocery shopping and access to affordable household necessities are among the practical reasons riders have sought bus connections to these destinations for years.
However, the financial arrangement behind the latest proposal remains unclear. The city’s November 13 announcement does not indicate whether Kenosha and Somers have reached an agreement to share operating expenses, whether Somers has offered any financial contribution, or whether the additional service would be funded entirely through Kenosha Area Transit’s existing budget and funding sources.
The proposed changes also involve adjustments to the existing Route 31 alignment, which serves portions of western Kenosha and surrounding areas. A draft route map released by city officials shows service through areas near Kenosha Regional Airport, the Town of Somers and residential neighborhoods west of the city, with connections into Kenosha’s existing transportation network.
According to the city’s announcement, the proposed changes are intended to improve service and enhance access to destinations within the transit system’s service area. Officials specifically identified Walmart and Festival Foods as destinations requested by riders and community members, indicating that public demand has been a factor in revisiting the longstanding proposal.
The issue presents two competing considerations for local officials: expanding transportation access for residents who need it and determining how the costs should be distributed between neighboring municipalities. While Kenosha residents would benefit from the expanded service, businesses in Somers would also gain access to customers who may otherwise have difficulty reaching their establishments.
Kenosha Area Transit is encouraging riders, residents, businesses and other interested parties to participate in the November 23 meeting. Written comments can also be submitted directly to the transit department and will be considered before any service changes are implemented.
The meeting location is accessible to individuals with disabilities, and anyone requiring reasonable accommodations is encouraged to contact Kenosha Area Transit in advance. Residents with questions about the proposed changes can contact the department at (262) 653-4290.
If approved, the Route 31 adjustments are anticipated to take effect in December 2026, although no specific implementation date has been announced. Whether the City of Kenosha has finally secured a financial agreement with the Village of Somers after more than a decade of disagreement remains an important unanswered question as officials prepare to move forward with the proposal.
3 Responses
Didn’t the City of Kenosha fight to keep Walmart OUT OF TOWN way back when ?
it then landed in Somers ?
Isn’t that why it’s exactly where it is ?
To be as close to Kenosha as possible without being in the City ?
If I remember correctly the City was trying to protect the existing grocery stores already in the city.
Right or wrong those decisions were made.
If Kenosha residents want bus access to there then the city should provide it.
You can bet they will create a bus route to the Casino if it ever gets built.
Correct the city shot all proposals that Walmart presented back then.
How exactly would the Village of Somers benefit from city residents being transported to Walmart and Festival Foods? There isn’t a local sales tax, just a county sales tax. Also, that bus route already goes out to Amazon by the Interstate. So it’s just adding a couple stops to an existing route.