With three airlines announcing expanded flights to Milwaukee in just two days last week, it is clear that “outsiders” see major growth potential in our M7 and northern Chicago region. It’s a shame that many residents and lawmakers in our region do not share the same enthusiasm about growth in the future.
AirTran Airlines recently announced the launch of new routes from Milwaukee, Southwest Airlines just announced that it will begin flying out of Mitchell International by the end of the year and Midwest announced that it will be adding more routes in late summer.
Southwest Airlines currently uses Midway Airport in Chicago. By deciding to use Milwaukee, Southwest is looking not only to serve southeastern Wisconsin, but to better serve northern Chicago. This is one more example to add to the list of reasons to substantially better connect the Milwaukee region with Chicago.
Looking to growth in the future, Chicago residents could conveniently take the Metra train, which then would become the Kenosha-Milwaukee-Racine (KRM) commuter rail, and ride the rail straight to a “fast lane bus” that goes right into our airport. Or they could take Amtrak to the Airport Station and hop on a shuttle right into GMIA. Better yet, when they come to Milwaukee, they could grab a meal at a local restaurant or spend the night in a hotel, further feeding our economy. Oh, they would also be paying sales taxes here.
When Chicago residents travel to Milwaukee to catch one of many new flights being added at General Mitchell, they will bring with them their need for entertainment, dining and lodging. In light of these recent developments, our regional economy can’t afford to pass up such opportunities that can occur if we have better transit connections to Chicago. This combination of buses, trains and shuttles can best occur with a regional transit authority.
Tom Rave is the executive director of The Gateway to Milwaukee.
5 Comments
Tom, I believe you are missing the point. With the added airline connections to Chicago, the already existing shuttles, the added bus services (I believe there are currently 4 bus options) and the AmTrak plus taking a nice drive as an option; we already have more transporation options than are needed at today's demand or future demand. What possible reason could there be to add yet another option that duplicates the existing options?
For goodness sake, please stop already with the train. It's old tech that is failing to meet expectations everywhere it's been employed. Yes the proponents love it and speak no evil; but if you look at the numbers none of them are near plan. And for good reason; people need flexibility and the train is the antithesis of flexibility.
For example: drive time to downtown Chicago from dowtown Milwaukee 1 hour 45 minutes.
Train for the same (Park downtown then walk to train 5 min., arrive 15 min. early, boarding, 10 min. travel time, 55 minutes to Kenosha, change trains 20 min, travel to Chicago 45 min, detrain 5 min, get taxi to destination 10 min.) 2 hours 45 minutes. Add 25 minutes if you use the bus to get to the Milwaukee terminal from the suburbs.
And don't forget it will cost the traveler more to use the train than to drive themselves; including gas, tolls, etc. assuming they already have an automobile.
As for a transit authority; no way; no how; if they are appointed not elected. Personally, if they have an RTA is should only be volunteers without taxing authority. Especially given this duplicates the SEWPC and the governor's special board whose name escapes me.
Here's a headline we'll never see. REDUCE TAXATION AND REGULATION to take advantage of Milwaukee's proximity to Chicago.
See you at Trainfest, Tom.
Bob,
Rarely will a drive from downtown Milwaukee to Chicago only take 1 hour and 45 minutes. What time do you drive? 3AM?
Anyone knows that if you have an appointment you better plan for a minimum of 3 hours between the two. Why? Traffic...which you could run into at anytime in Chicago.
Trains are a legitimate and growing option from a cost and expediency standpoint. They are hardly last centuries technologies but a legitimate and reliable way to transport people. Also, expanding 94 in SE Wisconsin to four lanes might help congestion slightly. The problem, however, is not in Wisconsin but Illinois.
I usually leave Milwaukee around 9 AM and hit the northern suburbs around 10:15 to 10:30. I do drive in the left lane.......
"For example: drive time to downtown Chicago from dowtown Milwaukee 1 hour 45 minutes."....OK, SO YOU ARE TELLING ME THAT IT TAKES YOU 15 MINUTES-30 minutes FROM THE NORTHERN SUBURBS TO DOWNTOWN CHICAGO. Bob, that is just not realistic. From Wisconsin to the far Northern suburbs ok maybe. You dont hit any traffic in Wisconsin (which makes sinking the money into expanding 94 to four lanes even more insane); the traffic is all in the Chicagoland area. Add at least an hour onto your time and most likely more. Do it a few times and you will adjust your figures. You obviously do not live in Chicago.