Transportation Choices for All
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WELCOME to mobilise
MobiliSE is Southeastern Wisconsin’s leading advocate for multimodal transportation choices that work.
We spearheaded the development of, and currently operate, FlexRide Milwaukee, an innovative on demand transportation solution that has helped thousands of Milwaukeeans access suburban jobs that were out of reach of bus service.
We convene regional leaders, businesses and transit riders to speak as one voice for multimodal transportation choices that tie our region together and drive it forward.
Together, we are making a difference in our region, addressing the immediate needs of our communities and businesses, while focused on long term, sustainable solutions.
We invite you learn more about our work in 2024. If you want to learn more or support our efforts, drop me a line at dave.steele@mobilisewi.org.
Dave Steele, Executive Director
what is Flexride?
Flexride is an on-demand micro-transit service launched in 2022 that provides convenient, affordable, and reliable transportation between Milwaukee neighborhoods and suburban employers out of reach of transit. Currently, FlexRide connects riders in three Milwaukee Neighborhood Zones to jobs in Menomonee Falls, Butler, Oak Creek, Franklin and New Berlin.
Entering its 3rd year of service,
FlexRide has served over 5,000 people by giving 100,000 rides
to work.
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“It’s been nothing but positive. I would suggest it to anybody. You can’t beat it - go do it.”
Richard E., Milwaukee, WI
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"Flexride is a game changer for the working class."
Milwaukee Magazine, Read More Here
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“It can help me get out to places I’ve never even thought about working.”
Brandon Z., Milwaukee, WI
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“It’s very convenient. it takes me right in front of my job - picks me up across the street from my house.”
Antoinette H., Milwaukee, WI
our service areas
Why were these areas selected?
These zones were chosen to connect 65,000 jobs that were previously not accessible with public transportation to a large pool of workers in Milwaukee.
Can I use the service if I live outside of one of the Neighborhood Zones?
Yes! While the FlexRide service will not pick up outside of the zones, some riders get into the zones by riding the bus, biking or walking to use the service.
our ridership
Ridership is steadily increasing. From 2022 to 2024, FlexRide has gone from 80 riders to over 5,000 per month.
WHERE DO our RIDERS WORK?
Top Employers by Service Area
Menomonee Falls
FedEx Ground, Menomonee Falls
Walmart, Germantown
Arandell Corporation
Cintas
VIRTEX
South Suburbs
Yaskawa America
Saputo Cheese
PPG Industries
Allis Roller
Cronthall Laundry Services
New Berlin
Wenthe-Davidson
Gina K Designs
Grimco Inc.
FedEx Ground – New Berlin
Altos Medical
standing up for transportation choices
Building a Coalition
MobiliSE is building a regional coalition of civic, business and community leaders, transit riders and residents to speak as one voice for transportation choices that work.
In 2024, our 27th Street Roundtable Series, in partnership with AARP Wisconsin and M-Pact, a national transit advocacy organization, equipped transit riders and community organizations with the networks and knowledge to advocate for the transportation choices that improve lives.
Our ongoing events have reached hundreds of participants across the metro region, adding new voices to the conversation and expanding our scope.
Advocating
From the State Capitol to city halls and county courthouses, MobiliSE is leading the way to put quality transportation choices front and center in policy discussions around growing our region’s workforce and improving quality of life.
In 2024, we proudly joined the #SavetheBus campaign to win needed funding for Milwaukee County Transit System, and successfully secured public funding to support FlexRide Milwaukee.
A Seat at the Table
MobiliSE is a recognized resource for policymakers, helping shape the transportation future of our region through involvement in various initiatives.
We have advised regional County governments on bus rapid transit and microtransit, and have joined Statewide and national efforts to shape policy, including the Wisconsin Non-Driver Advisory Commitee and the Cities Today Institute.
2024 mobilise events
27th Street Roundtable Series
Why Transit Matters
May 14
Transporation Choices for the Economy and Quality of Life October 17
For a complete list of our events, visit www.mobilisewi.org/events
MobiliSE’s success is a testament to what can happen when business and philanthropy partners with the public sector to drive meaningful change.
In 2024, 97% of our funding and expenses went to operate FlexRide Milwaukee. 92% of revenue used to operate FlexRide came from public sources, while the remaining came from rider fares and private philanthropy.
The backbone of our work is our convening and advocacy, out of which FlexRide Milwaukee was born. This work is supported by visionary business and individual members and philanthropic partners.
Business Members
GRAEF USA
Mandel Group
HNTB
AARP Wisconsin
M7
Commercial Assocation of REALTORS - Wisconsin
Milwaukee Downtown BID21
Visit Milwaukee
Philanthropic Partners
United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Bader Philanthropies
FlexRide Milwaukee Public Sector Partners
State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Developme
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Milwaukee County
Waukesha County
2024 Event Sponsors
ManpowerGroup
GRAEF USA
HNTB
Milwaukee County Transit System
TDA Wisconsin
Michael Baker International
Via Transportation, Inc
De Vor Communications
In Kind Support
Brooks Communications + Community
TDA Wisconsin
Milwaukee County Transit System
2024 Revenues
2024 Expenses
support us
MobiliSE is sustained by members – individuals, companies and organizations that understand the importance of our role as the region’s united platform for multimodal transportation. You care about our mission of building a better Southeastern Wisconsin through better connectivity – and want to be part of the change.
Learn more about becoming a member here.
MobiliSE’s roots go back to 1992, when a group of advocates formed a coalition to push for more transit choices across SE Wisconsin.
Since then, our coalition has grown. Our current organization was formed as the Regional Transit Leadership Council in 2015, and rebranded as MobiliSE in 2021.
In 2022, MobiliSE and our partners launched FlexRide Milwaukee and MobiliSE took over management of the service in 2023.
MobiliSE is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, governed by a 15 member board of directors.
2024 Officers
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Mayor, City of Wauwatosa (retired)
Kathy Ehley served as Mayor of Wauwatosa from 2012 to 2020. In those eight years, Wauwatosa saw an increase in development, improved communications and an increase in resident involvement on many municipal boards and committees.
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Founder/Principal Chaska Consulting
Samantha Maldonado is a national speaker, consultant, keynote speaker, facilitator and moderator focused on inclusion and personal/professional development.
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CEO, GRAEF USA
John Kissinger is president and CEO of GRAEF, Inc., an engineering, design and planning firm with offices located in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Florida. John joined GRAEF in 1984 as a structural engineer, ultimately becoming CEO in 2012.
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Global Growth Director, Clinical Accessories: GE HealthCare
Jorge Martinez de Alva is a finance executive working for GE Healthcare. His career with GE expands for the last 20 years having worked in other business units such as GE Plastics throughout Mexico and the United States.
2024 Board Members
Nikki Patterson - Foley & Lardner
Tracy Johnson - Commercial Association of REALTORS - Wisconsin
Corey Zetts - Menomonee Valley Partners
Marjorie Rucker - The Business Council
Matt McGovern - Cleantech Law Partners
Ashley Booth - HNTB
Jeff Polenske - Michael Baker International
Beth Wierick - Milwaukee Downtown/BID 21
Lucía Lora-Lara Galezewiski - Rockwell Automation
Charles Green, Jr - Mortenson Construction
Avelina Poppert - Waukesha State Bank
Ex Officio Members
Paul Decker - Former Chairman, Waukesha County Board of Supervisors
Eric Lynde - Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Mayor Dennis McBride - City of Wauwatosa
Mayor Shawn Reilly - City of Waukesha
Mayor Steve Ponto - City of Brookfield