Amtrak Thruway bus, September 6, 2019. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Budget cuts are forcing the Amtrak I-41 Thruway Bus Service between Green Bay and Milwaukee to end next month.
The service will cease operation on Oct. 1.
The contract between the state of Wisconsin and the service provider was unable to be renewed as the legislature did not provide adequate resources through the 2025-27 biennial budget to keep the bus service operational.
Gov. Tony Evers requested over $15 million in additional funding to support potential passenger rail expansion as well as existing passenger rail-related operations, including this bus service, in his state budget proposal. Ultimately, the legislature provided zero new dollars to support passenger rail-related operations. Ticketing revenue covered a percentage of operational costs for the Thruway bus service, while the state covered the remaining costs via WisDOT’s passenger rail program. Operational costs continue to rise due to equipment and maintenance needs along with inflation.
The state of Wisconsin has supported the Amtrak I-41 Thruway Bus Service, operating two daily round trips between Green Bay and Milwaukee since 2019. The bus schedule was timed to connect with the Hiawatha train at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station with stops in De Pere, Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac and Milwaukee Mitchell Airport. The Thruway bus service was created to connect directly to the Hiawatha train and bring riders to destinations beyond the train station.
Currently, there are multiple other bus services between Green Bay and Milwaukee available to riders that provide similar options. A list of alternative available bus services across the state, including service between Green Bay and Milwaukee, can be found on WisDOT’s website. WisDOT’s Intercity Bus Route Map is another resource that shows routes for other state funded transit services and private bus services operating throughout Wisconsin.
Comments