59.58(2)(j)1. 1. Any county may by contract under s. 66.0301 establish a joint municipal transit commission, in cooperation with any municipality, county or federally recognized Indian tribe or band.

59.58(2)(j)2. 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, no joint municipal transit commission under subd. 1. may provide service outside the corporate limits of the parties to the contract under s. 66.0301 which establish the joint municipal transit commission unless the joint municipal transit commission receives financial support for the service under a contract with a public or private organization for the service. This subdivision does not apply to service provided by a joint municipal transit commission outside the corporate limits of the parties to the contract under s. 66.0301 which establish the joint municipal transit commission if the joint municipal transit commission is providing the service on April 28, 1994, without receiving financial support from a public or private organization for the service, and elects to continue the service.

59.58(2)(k) (k)

59.58(2)(k)1. 1. In lieu of providing transportation services, a county may contract with a private organization for the services.

59.58(2)(k)2. 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, no county may contract with a private organization to provide service outside the corporate limits of the county unless the county receives financial support for the service under a contract with a public or other private organization for the service. This subdivision does not apply to service provided under subd. 1. outside the corporate limits of a county if a private organization is providing the service on April 28, 1994, without receiving financial support from a public or private organization for the service, and the county elects to continue the service.

59.58(2)(L) (L) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, no transit commission may provide service outside the corporate limits of the county which establishes the transit commission unless the transit commission receives financial support for the service under a contract with a public or private organization for the service. This paragraph does not apply to service provided by a transit commission outside the corporate limits of the county which establishes the transit commission if the transit commission is providing the service on April 28, 1994, without receiving financial support from a public or private organization for the service, and elects to continue the service.

59.58(3) (3) Public transit in counties. A board may:

59.58(3)(a) (a) Purchase and lease buses to private transit companies that operate within and outside the county.

59.58(3)(b) (b) Apply for federal aids to purchase such buses or other facilities considered essential for operation.

59.58(3)(c) (c) Make grants and provide subsidies to private transit companies that operate bus lines principally within the county to stabilize, preserve or enhance levels of transit service to the public.

59.58(3)(d) (d) Acquire a transportation system by purchase, condemnation under s. 32.05 or otherwise and provide funds for the operation and maintenance of such a system. “Transportation system” means all land, shops, structures, equipment, property, franchises and rights of whatever nature required for transportation of passengers or freight within the county, or between counties, and includes, but is not limited to, elevated railroads, subways, underground railroads, motor vehicles, motor buses and any combination thereof, and any other form of mass transportation. Such acquisition and operation between counties shall be subject to ch. 194 and whenever the proposed operations between such counties would be competitive with the urban or suburban operations of another existing common carrier of passengers or freight, the county shall coordinate proposed operations with such carrier to eliminate adverse financial impact for such carrier. This coordination may include, but is not limited to, route overlapping, transfers, transfer points, schedule coordination, joint use of facilities, lease of route service and acquisition of route and corollary equipment. If such coordination does not result in mutual agreement, the proposals shall be submitted to the department of transportation for arbitration. The following forms of transportation are excepted from the definition of “transportation system”:

59.58(3)(d)1. 1. Taxicabs.

59.58(3)(d)2. 2. School bus transportation businesses or systems that are engaged primarily in the transportation of children to or from school, and which are subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the department of transportation and the department of public instruction.

59.58(3)(d)3. 3. Charter or contract operations to, from or between points that are outside the county or contiguous or cornering counties.

59.58(3)(e) (e) Acquire all of the capital stock of a corporation that owns and operates a transportation system.

59.58(3)(f) (f) Use a public road, street or highway for the transportation of passengers for hire without obtaining a permit or license from a municipality for the operation of a transportation system within such municipality but such use shall be subject to approval by the department of transportation.

59.58(3)(g) (g) Upon the acquisition of a transportation system:

59.58(3)(g)1. 1. Operate and maintain it or lease it to an operator or contract for its use by an operator.

59.58(3)(g)2. 2. Contract for superintendence of the system with an organization which has personnel with the experience and skill necessary.

59.58(3)(g)3. 3. Delegate responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the system to an appropriate administrative officer, board or commission of the county notwithstanding s. 59.84 or any other statute.

59.58(3)(g)4. 4. Maintain and improve a railroad right-of-way and improvements on the right-of-way for future use.

59.58(3)(h) (h)

59.58(3)(h)1. 1. A county may contract under s. 66.0301 to establish a joint transit commission with other municipalities, as defined under s. 66.0301 (1) (b).

59.58(3)(h)2. 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, no joint transit commission under subd. 1. may provide service outside the corporate limits of the parties to the contract under s. 66.0301 which establish the joint transit commission unless the joint transit commission receives financial support for the service under a contract with a public or private organization for the service. This subdivision does not apply to service provided by a joint transit commission outside the corporate limits of the parties to the contract under s. 66.0301 which establish the joint transit commission if the joint transit commission is providing the service on April 28, 1994, without receiving financial support from a public or private organization for the service, and elects to continue the service.

59.58(3)(i) (i) Paragraphs (d) to (h) 1. shall only apply if a board by a two-thirds vote of its membership so authorizes.

59.58(3)(j) (j)

59.58(3)(j)1. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, no county which acquires a transportation system under this subsection may provide service outside the corporate limits of the county unless the county receives financial support for the service under a contract with a public or private organization for the service. This paragraph does not apply to service provided by a county outside the corporate limits of the county if the county is providing the service on April 28, 1994, without receiving financial support from a public or private organization for the service, and elects to continue the service.

59.58(3)(j)2. 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, no county which establishes a transportation system under this subsection may contract with an operator to provide service under par. (g) 1. outside the corporate limits of the county unless the county receives financial support for the service under a contract with a public or private organization for the service. This subdivision does not apply to service provided under par. (g) 1. outside the corporate limits of a county under a contract between the county and an operator if an operator is providing the service on April 28, 1994, without receiving financial support from a public or private organization for the service, and the county elects to continue the service.

59.58(4) (4) County obligations to employees of county mass transportation systems.