We Want to Hear From You
Ozaukee County is considering offering a new transit service called the Ozaukee Flex-Bus. This service would add on-demand service between Ozaukee and Milwaukee Counties, along Port Washington Road from Mequon to Port Washington, and along Cedarburg and Greenbay Roads into Saukville. The service could potentially run in both directions every hour Monday – Saturday. This service would be in addition to the Shared Ride Taxi and Ozaukee Express Commuter Bus.
What Is a Flex-Bus?
The Ozaukee Flex-Bus is a type of micro-transit that helps meet transportation needs in areas where many destinations are just off a main road. Hospitals, industrial parks, and shopping centers are examples of areas that are best served by micro-transit.
Ozaukee Flex-Bus is envisioned to be a deviated route service. In other words,
- it’s a bus that travels on a defined route with regular stops at defined times; AND
- it can go off route up to 3/4 of a mile with advanced notice.
The map below shows the routes being considered (dotted lines). The blue lines on the map show the off-route zone and some of the businesses that could be served. Reservations will not needed to take the bus along the defined route. Passengers will be able to request a stop along the route using an app on their phones in real time. However, advance notice would be needed for a pick-up or drop-off off route.
- Would these potential routes help you, your employees, or customers?
- Which days and times should the flex-bus operate?
- What other changes would improve these potential flex-bus routes?
Ozaukee Flex-Bus Open House
Ozaukee County Transit is hosting an open house on Tuesday, 3/7 at 5:00 pm to provide information and get feedback from the public. Staff from Ozaukee Transit and the South Eastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) will be onsite.
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Frank L. Weyenberg Library of Mequon-Thiensville
Tolzman Community Room
11345 N Cedarburg Rd.
Mequon, WI 53092
Can’t make the meeting?
Let us know what you think by completing the Online Survey ,or
Email Ozaukee Transit at transit@ozaukeecounty.gov with any questions or comments.
Ozaukee County Flex-Bus and Flex-Ride Milwaukee: Two Approaches to Solve the Last-Mile Problem
The Ozaukee County Flex-Bus is not the same program as FlexRide Milwaukee. Ozaukee Flex-Bus and FlexRide Milwaukee represent two approaches Ozaukee County may take to increase transportation options from Milwaukee County to job sites in Ozaukee County. Ozaukee County is currently seeking feedback on the Flex-Bus. The County has been given information on Flex-Ride Milwaukee as an alternative or complimentary solution.
The following table summarizes the differences in the two programs.
|
|
Flex-Bus Routes |
FlexRide Milwaukee |
|
Operational Oversight |
Ozaukee County Transit |
MobiliSE and partners |
|
Type of Transportation Service |
Potential new transit service on a defined route with regular stops that can go off route up to 0.75 mile with advanced notice
|
Existing on-demand, microtransit service scheduled through a smart-phone app, phone number, or computer |
|
Restrictions |
Open to the public for all public transit uses |
Open to the public for employment related transportation |
|
Current Service Locations |
No current service |
Zone-based service currently operating between Milwaukee neighborhoods and Menomonee Falls/Butler |
|
Future Service Locations |
Potential Flex-Bus routes between Milwaukee County and northern Ozaukee County |
Considering expansion to southern Milwaukee County and eastern Waukesha County in spring 2023 |
|
Potential Service Start Year in Ozaukee County |
2024 pending public input |
Any future expansions would be based on funding and interest from employers and communities in southern Ozaukee County |
|
Service distance |
Longer-distance trips to employment and services, such as medical appointments or shopping |
Short trips to/from employment |
|
Funding source(s) |
Federal and State transit funding (primary), Ozaukee County levy, fares |
State grant and other public and private sources, fares |
|
More information |
www.ozaukeetransit.com/ozaukee-flex-bus |
www.flexridemke.com |