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Hop on the Walworth County bus

Visitors to Walworth County this summer will be able to take a bus to and from destinations throughout the county for just $1 a ride.

The county is launching the seasonal bus service Friday, said Kathleen Seeberg, executive director of the Walworth County Visitors Bureau, which is working with the county to get the service up and running.

“We are the only county in southeastern Wisconsin that doesn’t have any form of mass transit,” she said. “And so we’re looking to do a trial run.”

Seeberg said the seasonal bus service will cater to summer tourists and to residents.

“The weekend rides will cater to tourists—to get them around the county, visiting other locations—and they will also cater to residents—to get them to explore their own county,” she said.

The service will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day. It also will be operating on Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The county plans to extend service during the Walworth County Fair.

Rides will be free through May and then will cost $1 per ride through the rest of the summer.

The service will connect Elkhorn, Delavan, Fontana, Williams Bay and Lake Geneva. Riders can get on the bus at 10 stops throughout the county. The bus will stop at each location about once an hour.

The bus, a mini coach, seats 29 people.

The Walworth County Board on Tuesday approved spending $30,000 for the project. The county has contracted with Jones Coach Travel and Tour of Elkhorn to run the service.

Seeberg said if the bus service is successful this summer, it could expand to include more stops, including locations in Whitewater and East Troy, more buses and more hours.

The county and the visitors bureau anticipate many people will use the service to get around and to learn what’s available throughout the county.

“Visitors will get to experience so much more,” Seeberg said. “Many visitors don’t realize all the activities we offer.”

BUS SERVICE

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the summer. It also will be operating on Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Cost: Rides are free through May and $1 through the rest of the summer.

Parking: Parking will be available near each bus stop, which will be marked by a sign.

Stops:

--The Walworth County Visitors Center, 203 E. Walworth St., Elkhorn.

--Brick Street Market, 104 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan.

--Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan.

--The Abbey Resort, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana.

--Yerkes Observatory, 373 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay. (By request only)

--Details in the Bay, 88 N. Walworth Ave., Williams Bay.

--The Lodge at Geneva Ridge, W4240 Highway 50, Lake Geneva.

--The Riviera, 812 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva.

--Grand Geneva Resort, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva.

For more information, call the Walworth County Visitors Bureau at (262) 723-3980.