Back in October we informed you that “47,552 people rode that darn streetcar in August 2023.” This made people who always get angry about The Hop extremely angry. “HOW MUCH MONEY DID IT MAKE ON FARES?” bellowed the “School of Hard Knocks” crowd on Facebook. “OF COURSE THEY DID BECAUSE IT’S FREE!” Also: boondoggle, Killwaukee, liberal mayors, etc.
Anyway, here are some new, recently released streetcar ridership numbers to argue about for some reason: 31,246 people rode The Hop in September 2023, and 41,176 people rode it in October 2023. November 2023 ridership has not yet been announced.
The numbers are a mixed bag. September ridership was the lowest of the year—though it was likely impacted by service being suspended from August 31 to September 8 due to a water main breaking along the route. October ridership, meanwhile, is currently the fifth best of the year, and The Hop’s best October since 2019 (62,010).
Despite ongoing challenges securing funding for route expansions, a long-planned lakefront line (the “L”) opened to limited, Sunday-only service in October. The line approaches the lakefront via a loop around Michigan and Clybourn, and utilizes a new stop in the under-construction Couture building. Full service, reports Urban Milwaukee, is expected in April 2024, “when the lower half of the 44-story The Couture tower is completed and open to its first residents.”
The Hop has been hosting a live music series throughout December. “Holidays on The Hop” wraps up Saturday, December 16, from 3-5 p.m., with a free performance from the Milwaukee Choristers. There are free cookies, too!
ALSO: “TALK TO ME WHEN IT’S NOT FREE TO RIDE!”
The Hop remains free to ride.
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