A proposed bus route connecting Whitewater and Janesville could finally happen beginning April 30.

Generac Power Systems, along with the city of Whitewater, have offered more than $40,000 to help fund a bus route that runs three times daily in an attempt to attract employees from the Janesville area. Janesville City Council will vote on the proposal April 9, which is the last approval needed.

The bus route would bring people to and from Whitewater for Generac’s newly expanded second and third shifts.

“Generac is ready to put their money where their mouth is,” Janesville Director of Transportation David Mumma said.

The route has planned stops in Whitewater, Milton and Janesville. Anybody can use it Monday through Friday for $4 between Janesville and Whitewater, $2.50 between Milton and Whitewater, $1.90 between Janesville and Milton and $1.50 within any city.

The thought of starting a bus route connecting Whitewater and Janesville was first brought up by Janesville Public Transit in 2010 Mumma said.

Later in 2010, students were allowed to vote on three different referendums on the Whitewater Student Government Senate elections ballot and shot down the idea with a 165-148 vote.

The idea then went to the WSG Senate, where the proposal of charging $5 extra for each student’s tuition was voted down by the Senate 12-7. WSG later approved Zimride, a carpool service that costs $9,500 annually from the University Center’s $2 million budget.

Although the university is not formally involved, a stop on the route at the University Center will be included.

“It would be wonderful,” Chancellor Richard Telfer said.

Another included stop would be at the Van Galder Bus Depot in Janesville, where buses to Chicago and Madison will be available.