



MILWAUKEE -- The Hop is officially slated to begin passenger service on Friday, Nov. 2, it was revealed during a news conference on Friday, Sept. 28.





Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett





The Nov. 2 event will kick off a full slate of “Grand Hop-ening” weekend events designed to engage the entire Milwaukee community. The event will mark the return of fixed-rail transit to the city for the first time in 60 years and usher in a new era of modern mass transit that will spur development and create a more vibrant, connected urban community.



Beginning with the Nov. 2 launch, The Hop will operate seven days a week on the following schedule:












The “Grand Hop-ening” celebration will be centered around Cathedral Square Park in the heart of downtown and adjacent to The Hop’s eastbound and westbound platforms on Kilbourn Ave. The historic event will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2 with remarks from officials and the ceremonial launch of passenger service. The celebration will feature music and entertainment from local performers and activities to engage the crowd while waiting to board.









Thanks to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’s support, rides will be free for the first year of operation. No tickets or vouchers will be required – passengers will simply wait for the next vehicle at the nearest platform and hop on. Vehicles will arrive at each of the 18 stations along the M-Line every 10-15 minutes. The L-Line, which will service destinations along the lakefront, is slated to open in 2020.





Meanwhile, the fifth and final streetcar ordered by the City of Milwaukee was delivered on Friday, Sept. 7.



The public is expected to first ride the streetcar in November. Rides will be free for the first year because of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’s 12-year, $10 million sponsorship deal.



CLICK HERE to learn more about Milwaukee’s streetcar.