Public Voices Raise Safety Concerns Over Proposed Changes to Marshfield Transit Hours

By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now!!-- Public safety and access to transportation were the focus of discussion during the Marshfield Common Council meeting Tuesday evening as residents and workers addressed proposed changes to Marshfield Public Transit operating hours.

The council opened a public hearing to gather feedback on a proposal that would adjust late-night service hours starting Jan. 1, 2026, including earlier shutdown times on several nights of the week.

Three speakers addressed the council during the hearing, all voicing opposition to reducing late-night taxi or transit service and emphasizing safety and workforce concerns.
Joshua Shamrowicz, owner of The Grey Dog and president of the Wood County Tavern League, said late-night transportation is critical to public safety. He described efforts in the area to prevent impaired driving through programs like “Safe Ride,” which provides free rides home for patrons of participating establishments.

Shamrowicz said the program is funded through state grants, businesses, and reimbursements to taxi services and warned that reduced late-night availability could increase the risk of drunk driving.

“Taxis need to be running until at least 2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights,” Shamrowicz said. He added that Uber service has been difficult to establish consistently in the area, with drivers often choosing to work in larger communities where demand is higher.

Elizabeth Dora, vice president of the Wood County Tavern League and a bartender with nearly a decade of experience, said the taxi service ending at midnight from Sunday through Thursday creates a dangerous gap.
Dora shared concerns about young adults leaving bars after midnight with no transportation available.

She also said that visitors from larger cities often assume taxis run later than they do and are caught off guard when they learn service is unavailable.

Patty Parcel, a taxi driver, told council members the proposed changes would impact not only bar patrons but also third-shift workers and caregivers who rely on late-night transportation to get to work.

She said many passengers call between 11:30 p.m. and midnight for rides to work and warned that eliminating service could force workers to wait hours or walk long distances in unsafe conditions.

“This is a safety issue,” Parcel said. “Not just for people at bars, but for people going to work.”
Following public comment, City Administrator Steve Barg commended the speakers for attending and said other residents had shared similar concerns by phone.
Later in the meeting, Accounting Manager Jordan Munger presented details of the proposed changes, explaining that the plan would reallocate existing service hours rather than reduce them.

Under the proposal, service would end at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday instead of midnight, and at 2 a.m. on weekends instead of 3 a.m. Munger said the goal is to move those hours to busier daytime periods to reduce wait times and better serve commuters.

Munger said data showed fewer than 2 percent of total rides occurred between 2 and 3 a.m., estimating about 400 rides annually during that hour. He added that more than 90 percent of those rides were related to bar traffic.

Council members questioned whether reallocating late-night hours would result in actual reductions in wait times and expressed concern about the risk associated with removing service during peak bar hours.

Several council members said even one accident caused by lack of transportation would be too much of a risk.
A motion to approve the change failed following discussion and a vote, keeping current transit hours in place for now.

The council then moved forward with other business, including approving a resolution supporting a Transportation Alternatives grant application for a connector trail linking Pecan Parkway to Griese Park. Parks and Recreation Director Justin Casperson said the project would improve neighborhood connectivity and provide a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists.

The council also received updates on redevelopment efforts for the current Weinbrenner building. City staff reported that despite reaching out to more than 140 firms, only one proposal was received, which was later withdrawn. Officials discussed several future options, including continued redevelopment recruitment, partial demolition, or exploring alternative community uses.
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No action was taken on the redevelopment discussion.
The council adjourned following additional agenda items and administrative updates.

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