Green Bay Metro expands on-demand service with single-zone coverage

GREEN BAY – On July 1, Green Bay Metro (GBM) upgraded its GBM On Demand microtransit service, making public transportation more convenient than ever for the Green Bay area.

Originally introduced five years ago, GBM On Demand allows riders to book a ride from a specific pickup location to their chosen destination — similar to a taxi, but with the same two dollar fare as a GBM bus.

As part of the recent update, GBM On Demand consolidated its daytime zones into one large area, which means riders won’t have to transfer from an On Demand vehicle to a bus if they’re traveling across different zones — a change designed to shorten trip times and improve rider experience.

“I think that consolidating the daytime zones will allow individuals a more direct trip,” said Patty Kiewiz, Green Bay Metro’s transit director. “On some of the trips from the outskirts of the community, riders would have to take an On Demand vehicle to the bus, and then the bus would take them where they needed to go. Now, we’ve eliminated some of those extra trips. Our goal is really to try to get people where they need to go with just one leg of the trip whenever possible.”

GBM On Demand uses smaller vehicles, each holding up to six passengers, which allows for more flexibility and extended service hours.

“We now operate until 11:30 at night with microtransit. We couldn’t afford to operate the whole bus system that late at night,” said Kiewiz. “It really gave us some great benefits while still being a public transportation ride. It’s a shared ride, so you could potentially have a few other people in the vehicle with you.”

To book a ride, users can either use the GMB On Demand app or call (920) 448-3185.

“When you book on the app, it’s very similar to other shared ride services. You can see where the vehicle is at and how long it’s going to take to reach you. It will ping and pick you up at the closest corner to your location,” said Kiewiz.

GBM On Demand aims to fill gaps in the city’s transportation network by offering affordable, flexible rides to help riders get to jobs, medical appointments and more.

“One thing I continue to hear is that transportation to jobs and to medical appointments can be a challenge. The cost of this service is the same for your bus— two dollars for a ride or 41 dollars for a 30-day adult pass. There is a reduced fare option for the elderly and the disabled as well,” said Kiewiz. “It’s a great affordable option for transportation.”

For more information on GBM On Demand, visit https://www.greenbaywi.gov/GBM-On-Demand.