Green Bay Metro Transit Board replaces latest daily bus runs with 'GBM on Demand' microtransit service
GREEN BAY − Green Bay Metro Transit's leaders on Wednesday expanded the bus service's nighttime hours, trimmed afternoon "fixed-route" hours and told riders fearing problems with the routes to communicate their concerns to staff so they could work together to solve them.
The city bus service's map of daily fixed routes did not change, but customers who want to use the service toward the end of the day will need to get an app or make a call. Riders can get the "GBM on Demand" mobile app at the App Store or the Google Play Store, or call the transit system at 920-448-3185.
Patty Kiewiz, Green Bay Metro Transit director, acknowledged that change can be difficult, especially for people who are used to meeting a bus on a schedule that doesn't change from Monday through Friday. But, she said, her staff encourages calls from people who have questions, lack cell phones or skills with phone apps or experience uncertainty about how to schedule a pickup.
"I hear you loud and clear, especially the concerns about the app," she said. "I understand that things are a little different ... but we're using both (fixed-route and on-demand service) to create a better system."
At least a dozen bus riders attended a public hearing before a transit board vote on the changes. A concern voiced by multiple people: the ability of riders with vision problems to schedule bus pickups via the app. Green Bay Metro Transit will schedule at-home pickups and drop-offs, Kiewiz said, for people dealing with blindness or other significant issues that make it difficult to navigate streets and sidewalks.
"I'm visually impaired," said Linda Gillis of Buchanan Street. "I will need to be picked up" rather than rely on an app or walk her current 2 ½ blocks to a bus stop.
The addition of more on-demand routes and the cut to fixed-route service goes into effect Jan. 2. Weekday fixed route service will end at 6:45 p.m. but riders can individually schedule "microtransit" rides until 10:45 p.m.
Saturday service will see fixed-route coverage end at 1:45 p.m., and on-demand service will extend until 7:45 p.m., beginning Jan. 7.
People will need to schedule their rides at least 30 minutes beforehand, with the latest by 10:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and by 7:15 p.m. on Saturday.
Meanwhile, said Kevin Kuehn, a member of Green Bay Metro's board of directors, the bus system continues to struggle to employ enough qualified drivers. Having to work substantial overtime hours has made it difficult to keep drivers, while three took higher-paying jobs at Procter & Gamble, he said.
"We're 25 percent short of a full staff," he said. But staffing "is the same problem every (other employer) is having."
Also Wednesday, the bus system honored driver Dale Detrie. He plans to retire next week after 50 years driving a Green Bay Metro bus without an accident more serious than striking a pole.
Email Doug Schneider at dschneid@gannett.com, call him at (920) 265-2070 and follow him on Twitter @PGDougSchneider
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay city buses to switch to GBM On Demand service for some hours
