Freeway Flyer Suspension Continues: MCTS Says Flyer Service Was Down 90 Percent In January

MILWAUKEE, WI — Many Milwaukee County Transit System Freeway Flyer routes will remain indefinitely suspended, according to an MCTS news release on Wednesday.

Routes 40, 43, 44, 46, 48, 49, and 79 will remain suspended. Route 143 will restart service on March 7 because it is required under a contract with Ozaukee County, MCTS said in the news release.

Kristina Hoffman, the marketing and communications director for MCTS, said they were "hopeful" service for routes would be returning on March 7, but they are facing continued challenges.

MCTS is recruiting new bus drivers, and troubles remain with the pandemic. Many downtown businesses have moved to hybrid schedules, Hoffman said in the news release, and bus maintenance has been affected by supply-chain issues.

Freeway Flyers typically operate between Park and Ride lots across the county and the downtown area on weekday mornings and afternoons.

The continued suspension does not affect university routes 40U, 44U and 49U, the MCTS news release said.

Before MCTS announced it will be suspending Freeway Flyer service in January, Flyer ridership was down by 90 percent compared to pre-COVID-19 levels, the news release said.