As Milwaukee’s most anticipated festival of the year takes off, the Milwaukee County Transport System (MCTS) introduces new changes to get Summerfest goers down to the Henry Maier Festival Park.
Continuing to run the length of the festival from June 27-July 1 and July 3-8, the MCTS Freeway Flyers will now use wristbands and take payments on Summerfest grounds. This change does not affect the Summerfest Downtown Shuttle or regular routes.
New Freeway Flyer payment
MCTS buses will be available at 10 Park and Ride locations in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties.
The new process will be similar with Freeway Flyer riders boarding the bus upon arrival at each lots, and then paying for their trip when they leave the bus and walk into Summerfest. The new transaction has been implemented to end the long lines and slow boarding from bus stops of past years, ensuring quicker rides.
After getting off the bus, riders will be directed to MCTS ticket booths where they will pay for round-trip fare and receive a wristband for the bus ride back at the end of each night. When leaving the grounds, if riders are only taking the bus back, they must still pay full round-trip fare at the MCTS ticket booths.
Riders can pay for their trip with cash, credit card, the MCTS M•CARD or Pre>Fare – the MCTS digital ticket.
Of the 10 Park and Ride lots, MCTS is welcoming back the Silver Spring Drive location near Bayshore Town Center after a 15 year hiatus. People will be able to park in the Park and Ride lot and on the third level of the Bayshore parking structure.
Service will be provided on weekdays approximately every 30 minutes from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and approximately every 15 minutes from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, service is roughly every 15-20 minutes. Times may be impacted by construction and peak traffic periods.
Downtown Shuttle Service
The Downtown Shuttle will take riders directly to the Mid Gate of the festival grounds. Shuttle services will run the length of the festival from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily at 20 minute intervals. Bus stops run along both sides of Wisconsin Ave. from James Lovell St. to N. Jackson St.
Local Routes
Other Summerfest transportation along Routes 14, 15, the GreenLine and GoldLine will drop riders off within walking distance of the Summerfest grounds.
Regular fares apply for local routes.
No matter your transportation though, we hope you listen to as many bands and music genres as possible, dance a lot, eat too much delicious food and enjoy the lakefront breeze.
Get more information on fares, routes and service to Summerfest here.