MILWAUKEE — The buses are back. Summerfest officials announced Tuesday that they’ll have three Milwaukee County Transit System bus options for festivalgoers to ride to and from the Big Gig.

MCTS Shuttles to Summerfest were first suspended in 2021, following the music festival’s return from COVID-19 and a shortage of drivers. In 2022, festival organizers worked with a private provider to provide shuttles.

This is the first year MCTS will return to provide shuttle service.

“We hear from the community all the time that it wouldn’t be Summerfest without MCTS,” said MCTS President and Interim Managing Director Denise Wandke. “Thank you everyone, for including us in your plans. We hope you’ll start a new tradition this year, by adding CONNECT to your Summerfest memories. And send us some pictures, we’d love to see them!”

Summerfest will span across three weekends this summer, June 22-24, June 29-July 1 and July 6-8.

Here are the three ways you can ride to and from the festival using MCTS.

OPTION 1: Special service MCTS shuttles

With the return comes special service shuttles, which, according to Summerfest officials, has always been a “favorite among Summerfest goers.”

This year, two shuttles will run about every half hour from the College Avenue or Brown Deer Park and Ride lot. From there, they’ll take festivalgoers directly to the festival grounds entrance, or the Summerfest Mid Gate.

Payment options:

Shuttles are cashless. They will accept Umo app, WisGo card, M-Card, VISA, Mastercard, American Express or Discover card. A round-trip ride for those ages 12 and up will cost $10. For those that are reduced fare riders (ages 11 and under, 65 and over or qualifying disabilities) it will cost $5.

Hours of operation:

The first shuttle will leave the parking lot at 11:30 a.m.; the last bus will leave the Summerfest grounds at 12:30 a.m. Parking at each of the shuttle lots is first, but it is first come, first serve.

OPTION 2: MCTS CONNECT

New to the Summerfest transit options is the CONNECT 1 Bus Rapid Transit line, which is a new “faster,” “eco-friendly” bus route being introduced in the city. MCTS officials expect to have that up and running by June 4, 2023.

Summerfest-goers can catch a ride on this line every 10-15 minutes along the line’s nine-mile route. This option’s route ends at the corner of Wisconsin and Van Buren, which is a few blocks from the Summerfest North Gate.

Payment options:

Riders can pay for CONNECT 1 using the Umo app, WisGo card, with cash, or by VISA, Mastercard, or Discover at Ticket Vending Machines on the platforms. Riders ages 12 and up will pay $2 for a 90-minute fare. Youth 11 and under, seniors 65 and over and those with qualifying disabilities will pay $1.

Hours of operation:

During weekdays, this line runs from approximately 4:35 a.m. to 1:39 a.m.. On Saturdays it runs from about 4:45 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. It does not run on Sundays.

OPTION 3: MCTS regular service buses

Several local routes are within walking distance to Summerfest. You can find route schedules, hours and more at Summerfest.com or by visiting RideMCTS.com/Summerfest.

Here are the routes to check out for closest drop-off points:

  • GreenLine: drop-off location is in the Third Ward along North Water Street
  • Route 15: drop-off location is in the Third Ward along North Water Street
  • Route 18: drop-off location is in the Third Ward along North Water Street
  • Route 30: drop-off location is at Jackson and Wisconsin

Payment options:

Riders can pay using the Umo app, WisGo card, M-card or cash. Riders ages 12 and up will pay $2 for a 90-minute fare. Youth 11 and under, seniors 65 and over and those with qualifying disabilities will pay $1.

Hours of operation:

Hours vary for each bus route. Visit RideMCTS.com/Summerfest for update-to-date hours for each route.