A shuttle service is slated for Milwaukee workers to help fill jobs in the northwest suburbs. Here is what you need to know.

Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·4 min read
FlexRide, which will launch in early February, will pick up riders from one of five stops served by the Milwaukee County Transit System on Milwaukee's north and northwest sides. The riders will then be dropped off at any participating employer within the Menomonee Falls and Butler service areas.
FlexRide, which will launch in early February, will pick up riders from one of five stops served by the Milwaukee County Transit System on Milwaukee's north and northwest sides. The riders will then be dropped off at any participating employer within the Menomonee Falls and Butler service areas.

Corporations, businesses and hospitals that need employees in the Northwest suburbs now have a way to get them.

FlexRide, which will launch in early February, will pick up riders from one of five stops served by the Milwaukee County Transit System. Those five stops are on Milwaukee's north and northwest sides. Riders will be dropped off at any participating employer within the Menomonee Falls and Butler service areas.

Riders can request pickups using a smartphone app or by phone.

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"We (Menomonee Falls) are continuing to bring more jobs. They (employers) are looking for employees, they are finding the talent, but they don't have reliable access to transportation. Businesses are trying to get the talent to get the necessary work done," said Menomonee Falls Village Planner Matt Carran.

He said the shuttles will bring the employees to work, drop them off and customize to their schedule.

Companies that are participating in the program so far are Arandell, Leonardo DRS, FedEx, Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital and Grace Commons — all companies in Menomonee Falls.

"We are reaching out for more employers," Carran said.

The Waukesha County Business Alliance is also partnering with the Waukesha County Center for Growth and Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington Workforce Development Board, MobiliSE and the FlexRide team to recruit employers.

“We are inviting all eligible employers to take part in this service,” Amanda Payne, senior vice president of public policy for the alliance, said in a news release. “We regularly hear from our members about the challenges they are facing in attracting and retaining workers – and the barrier a lack of transportation can be. FlexRide Milwaukee will help solve that problem.”

Here is what you need to know about FlexRide.

Who qualifies?

Riders must be at least 18 years old, live in the city of Milwaukee and work or be willing to work within the service areas of the program: Butler, Menomonee Falls and the northwest suburbs. Riders must register to use this service.

Where are the bus stops?

Milwaukee County Transit System bus stops included in the program are:

  • Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee

  • Midtown Center, 5700 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee

  • Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, 5460 N. 64th St., Milwaukee

  • Silver Spring Drive/Lovers Lane, Milwaukee

  • Woodman’s/Sam’s Club, Highway 145, Menomonee Falls

Is there a fee for the service?

Rides to and from the Woodman’s/Sam’s Club and Silver Spring/Lovers Lane stops will be free. Riders to and from the other stops pay $1.50 for a one-way ride trip, increasing to $3 later in the pilot program.

How can employers in the northwest suburbs become involved?

While registration is not required for employers, businesses and organizations with more than 10 employees in Menomonee Falls and Butler that employ or intend to employ city of Milwaukee residents are encouraged to sign up for FlexRide.

Those interested in participating in the pilot should contact Eric Lynde at elynde@sewrpc.org.

How can eligible riders use the service?

After applying for the service, eligible riders will be able to download the FlexRide Milwaukee app and create an account. To book a ride, the rider will simply enter the pickup and dropoff locations and then check the app to find out where to meet the vehicle and when it will arrive.

The service will be accessible to all riders – including residents with disabilities, those without a smartphone, and those without a credit or debit card. If you don't have a smartphone, call 414-667-7433

How long is this program?

For now, the service will operate through fall. The project team is working to identify funding to continue the service beyond this time. The program is funded by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.

For more information

For more information about FlexRide or to sign up, visit www.flexridemke.com.

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: FlexRide slated for Milwaukee workers to help fill jobs in suburbs