More of you are taking advantage of public transit in Door County. For the first time since before the pandemic, more than 40,000 people used either Door 2 Door Rides or the Door County Connect services in 2022. Since hitting 47,720 riders in 2019, the two services failed to crack 40,000 due to the pandemic since 2020. In 2022, 42,130 people took advantage of the  Door 2 Door Rides or the Door County Connect services despite driver shortages. The services were reduced by 430 hours due to the driver shortage. A Wisconsin Watch report points to services like Door 2 Door Rides and Door County Connect as important tools moving forward as communities across the state age. According to the U.S. Census, more than 31 percent of the Door County population is above the age of 65, with more and more individuals deciding to pass the keys off rather than driving themselves. Door County Transportation Manager Pam Busch says they have been keeping a close eye on the county’s aging population and what that could mean for their services moving forward.

Busch says while they are good with drivers for Door County Connect, Abby Vans, the company they work with for Door 2 Door Rides, is hiring more drivers to improve that aspect of the service.