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Green Bay Metro marks 50 years in service

On April 3 the Green Bay Metro (GBM) celebrated 50 years of service at its “Cheers to 50 Years!” event. Pictured from left: Doug Janssen, Chris Braatz, Sherry Schuh, Patrick Schmidt, Kathy Shelly, Patty Kiewiz, Miranda Socha, Jack Lueptow, Kathy Peer, Essie Fels and Andrea Vlach. Submitted photo

By Josephine Hinderman

Contributing Writer

GREEN BAY – On April 3, the Green Bay Metro (GBM) celebrated 50 years of service at its “Cheers to 50 Years!” event.

Service began when the city bought the metro from the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) in 1972.

And the metro has come a long way in these past 50 years, said Metro Transit Director Patricia Kiewiz.

“The past 50 years have seen great things happen to transit,” she said. “It’s exciting to see what this service, especially, has done in 50 years, and where it could go in 50 years.”

Along with routes, vehicles and other services that have become more accessible to those with disabilities and the elderly, one of the most significant changes to have come to the GBM in recent years has been the launch of “GBM On Demand,” an on-demand transportation service that Kiewiz said was developed to especially help those working third shift when the Metro’s main routes are closed.

First launched in August 2021, GBM On Demand allows its users to travel different routes throughout the Greater Green Bay area, explained Kiewiz, emphasizing the importance of offering additional opportunities to third shift employees and employers.

Kiewiz also explained how GB On Demand allows the GBM more flexibility with their routes, hours and schedules.

“GB On Demand has allowed us more chances to expand. Now we can adjust and make decisions quicker and more efficiently. Where you’d have a bus route take about 30 minutes, you can now have an on-demand transport that takes you 15 minutes. That’s an average that we’re excited to see,” she explained.

GBM On Demand also has wheelchair-accessible vehicles available for use, and its app is available to download on iOS and Android devices.

When asked about where she sees GBM going within the next 50 years, Kiewiz shared how GBM is hoping to expand their services and service hours, as well as potentially investing in autonomous vehicles and greener forms of transport in the forms of electric and hybrid buses.

From now until December 2023, GBM will offer reduced fares on 30-day bus passes, with adult passes costing $29 and elderly/disabled costing $9.

“We want to encourage people to try the Metro,” said Kiewiz. “There are people here that don’t know about this great service, and are a little hesitant about public transport, especially following COVID. We hope that this will be that little nudge that gets them to try it, because they won’t be disappointed.”

For more information on the Green Bay Metro, its services, fares, hours and more, https://greenbaywi.gov/231/Metro-Transit, call (920) 448-3450 or stop by their Transportation Center, 901 University Ave, Green Bay.

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