Do you have a low-income and need assistance getting to work or to post high school job training or educational opportunities? See this list of contacts in your county who may be able to help.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is pleased to sponsor the Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program (WETAP). This is an annual competitive grant program combining state and federal funding sources into one coordinated program to help community organizations address transportation needs for low-income workers. Lack of transportation is a significant barrier to getting and keeping jobs for low-income workers. Improving transportation options can improve the economic outcomes for these workers.
The WETAP program focuses on funding activities that support the following:
New or expanded transportation services that address the employment-related transportation needs of eligible low-income workers
Shared solutions such as ridesharing, public transportation expansion, vanpools, or carpools
Individual solutions, such as car repair or used car loan programs
Coordinated transportation solutions based on a local planning process involving local stakeholder in order to address service gaps and avoid duplication
This program is funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), state funds from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and state funds from WisDOT.
WisDOT announces Calendar Year 2026 WETAP Grant Program Cycle open for Applications November 17 - December 30, 2025
WETAP is open for applications by local non-profit organizations for the 2026 program year.
The total dollar amount available for 2026 is approximately $4 million to be divided among multiple grantees. Local match is provided by the grantee through cash and/or in-kind services.
Grants are awarded for one calendar year with no guarantee of continued funding. Each applicant must reapply and compete each year for funds.
This is a competitive program with grants awarded to multiple sponsors. Grant awards typically range from $25,000 to $900,000 per award. WETAP grant awardees are reimbursed for eligible activities identified in their application they have already completed in that calendar quarter.
The Calendar Year 2026 application process is being conducted on WisDOT’s Transit Grants Management System. Details about how to get a system log in, grant requirements and the application process are available in the
2026 WETAP Application Guidelines.
WETAP Application Webinars
WisDOT is holding three information sessions for the 2026 WETAP grant application process using the Transit Grant Management System (TMS).
The first session is a webinar providing an overview of the application process and a live demonstration of using TMS to apply for a WETAP grant. The webinar will be recorded and available on this webpage.
The other two sessions are drop in Office Hours. WisDOT staff will be available online to answer questions. These sessions will not be recorded.
The meetings are listed below. Please contact the meeting organizer at
wetap@dot.wi.gov at least 30 minutes before the start time to receive log in information.
- Thursday, December 4, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm, Application Process Overview Webinar
- Wednesday, December 10, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm, CY 2026 WETAP Application Office Hours (#1 of 2)
- Wednesday, December 17, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm, CY 2026 WETAP Application Office Hours (#2 of 2)
Please send any comments or questions to
WETAP@dot.wi.gov.
Maps and contacts
History of WETAP grant awards
Contact:
WETAP Program Manager
WETAP@dot.wi.gov
(608) 266-9400