GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced on Friday that the Amtrak I-41 Thruway Bus Service that runs between Green Bay and Milwaukee will shut down at the end of the month.
According to the release, the shutdown comes after a contractual dispute between the state and service provider, as a deal couldn’t be reached. Officials cited that the 2025-27 biennial budget didn’t have adequate resources to keep it operational.
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Governor Tony Evers had requested in his budget proposal over $15 million to support potential rail expansion and existing passenger rail-related operations, including the Amtrak I-41 Thurway Bus service.
Ticketing revenue covered some operational costs, while the state had covered remaining costs via the WisDOT passenger rail program; however, equipment and maintenance needs have increased, and the lack of resources, along with inflation, rendered it impossible to save.
The Amtrak I-41 Thruway Bus Service operated twice a day between Green Bay and Milwaukee for the past six years, timed to connect with the Hiawatha train at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station.
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The service also had stops in De Pere, Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. The Thruway service was designed to directly connect to Hiawatha, bringing riders to other destinations.
The service will end on October 1, 2025. Alternative bus services statewide are available, with more information here.
