A new last-mile service set to launch in February will connect the city's residents with job-rich suburbs.
"A new transportation service will attempt to provide a low-cost, on-demand connection between central city Milwaukee residents and Waukesha County employers," reports Jeramey Jannene.
The service, known as FlexRide Milwaukee, will pick up passengers at five locations and drop them off within two designated "employment zones" in an attempt to fill a gap in existing bus service. As Jannene writes, "the pilot study is being billed as a micro-transit effort that will attempt to bridge the spatial mismatch between residents on the north side of Milwaukee and suburban employers."
Milwaukee implemented a similar service on a fixed schedule, JobLines, in 2015, which was shut down in 2019. The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), which is leading the study along with UW-Milwaukee, hopes the new on-demand service will serve as a more effective connection for commuters.
When the service launches in February, riders will be able to request a ride by phone or using a mobile app. A similar effort is underway to provide the service in other nearby communities.
FULL STORY: New ‘Last Mile’ Solution Will Connect Suburban Employers, City Residents
Houston Council Member Questions Microtransit Investment
METRO’s support of an on-demand microtransit service comes as the agency is scaling back its bigger bus projects.
Transit Advocates Fear On-Demand Microtransit Undermines Bus Service
A new on-demand transit service is meant to fill gaps in Kansas City regional bus service, but some transit supporters worry the service is drawing funding away from fixed-route buses.
Denton Plans to Replace Most Bus Routes With On-Demand Microtransit
Transit advocates worry that outsourcing fixed-route service will decrease service levels and raise costs for riders.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie