OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Fox Valley residents who rely on public transportation will soon have another way to travel. Oshkosh’s GO Transit is planning what it calls a “microtransit” service.
The greater Oshkosh area will be launching the new microtransit operation on April 3. It’s called “GO Connect.”
“Which basically is a shared ride taxi service,” said Jim Collins, Oshkosh’s transportation director.
The microtransit program will be replacing intercity Route 10, which ends April 1.
“Route 10, which runs between Oshkosh and Neenah and vice versa, and it connects GO Transit here in Oshkosh and Valley Transit in Neenah,” explained Collins.
He says Route 10 was picked for a specific reason.
“That route the last few years, the ridership has been declining, and it’s gotten even lower since COVID.”
Collins believes it doesn’t make a lot of financial sense anymore to run a fixed-route bus between Oshkosh and Neenah.
“We average 10 rides a day, so four to five riders going each way. While ridership has declined, it’s very important to those people that do need it, so we wanted to offer an alternative for the people that are using that route.”
Rides will cost $5 each way, which is $2 more than the current price of a bus ride at $3.
“The cost of fuel is going up, the cost of labor is going up, inflation — so, the possibility of that staying at $3, I don’t know for sure, but more than likely was going to go up in the next year or two anyways,” said Collins.
Fox Valley Technical College students will still be able to ride for free.
Collins says even though the fare is higher, the new service is more convenient for riders.
“Right now, you can only take the service when the route is scheduled to depart, so you have to be there at that time. And it’s on the route schedule, not your schedule. With the new transit service, it’s on the rider’s schedule.”
Rides need to be scheduled. They can be scheduled starting a week in advance until 4:30 p.m. the day before.
“It’s a half-hour window, so you might have to wait a little bit, but if you have to leave Oshkosh at 7 a.m., you can call and schedule your ride for 7 a.m., and they’ll pick you up between 6:45 and 7:15,” said Collins.
GO Connect is scheduled to run from 6:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Riders can pay through the Token Transit app or with exact cash fare.
GO Connect is a pilot program that runs through March 30, 2024. If successful, the program may be extended.
Rides can be scheduled by calling (920) 235-7001.
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