Mass Transit Operators Attempt To Flatten New Coronavirus Curve

With health care providers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urging social distancing, Wisconsin’s mass transit operators are taking steps to flatten the new coronavirus curve — or minimize the spread of the disease.

Officials are asking riders to limit their time on public transportation, and in some cases, are suspending service.

Green Bay Metro Transit suspended its service beginning Monday until further notice. The city is continuing medically necessary trips for paratransit riders — or riders with a disability.

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Green Bay has about 4,200 trips per day, which equates to roughly 2,200 riders, said Metro Transit director Patricia Kiewiz.

Kiewiz said the decision was difficult given all the services Green Bay Metro provides.

“Social distancing is critical at this time to keep everyone healthy and safe,” Kiewiz said. “We are committed to reinstating transportation services when we can ensure a safe environment for our employees, riders and the public.”

Kiewiz said before suspending service, the city contemplated reducing its hours, but once the CDC recommended social distancing and limiting groups to less than 50 people, shuttering operations became the clear choice.

“I do have some upset individuals calling me, that is for sure,” Kiewiz said. “I have been here 17 years and I have never had a challenge like this. But this is really unchartered waters for all of us.”

In Dane County, Metro Transit is asking riders who are at high risk for COVID-19 to stay home if possible. Public Health Madison and Dane County is recommending passengers sit farther away from each other on city buses.

Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is offering the same guidelines. As of Monday, Milwaukee County was not reducing routes, but urging riders to limit non-essential bus travel.

“Passengers who must travel out of necessity are encouraged, whenever possible, to pay their fare with the MCTS M-Card — a contactless smartcard — or use the electronic tickets offered via the Ride MCTS App. Both options allow you to pay your fare without making direct contact with the farebox,” MCTS posted on its website.

Passengers are also being asked to exit buses through the rear door to limit contact with the bus driver.

MCTS has about 100,000 rides per day, which equals roughly 50,000 riders, said Matt Sliker, a spokesperson for the bus system.

Streetcar And Rail

The city of Milwaukee’s streetcar, The Hop, will also continue its operations for the time being, said spokesperson Mark Rosenberg.

Amtrak has not yet announced any changes to its schedule including to its busy Hiawatha line that serves Milwaukee to Chicago.

If any service changes are made to that line, they will be done in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said Marc Magliari, Amtrak spokesman.

The Metra, which has several commuter trains into Chicago including a line from Kenosha, has also not made any changes at this point. Metra is waiving its $5 handling fee for monthly pass refunds due to the number of Metra customers forced to restrict travel and work from home due to COVID-19.

Wisconsin Department Of Motor Vehicles

The Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles is reminding customers that most things they need to do doesn’t require an in-person visit.

This includes renewing license plates, changing address, titling a new vehicle or ordering a duplicate driver license or ID card.

“Wisconsin customers need only visit a DMV once every eight years to renew their driver license or ID,” DMV Administrator Kristina Boardman said.

All other vehicle services can be done at wisconsindmv.gov.