MILWAUKEE AREA INTERURBAN BUS LINES

ADDITIONAL EARLY BUS COMPANIES

The following additional bus companies attempted to operate in the Milwaukee/southeastern Wisconsin area. In nearly every case, Wisconsin Motor Bus Lines (WMBL) established competing service, and the other company either was subsequently acquired by Wisconsin Motor Bus Lines, or driven out of business.

Boulevard Transit Co. - in 1921 introduced service Milwaukee-Racine, Milwaukee-Waukesha; in 1922 introduced service Milwaukee-Hartford, Milwaukee-Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee-Madison; in 1922 sold to WMBL.

Lakeshore Transportation Co. - in 1921 introduced service Racine-Kenosha, Racine-Burlington; in 1923 sold to WMBL.

Eastern Wisconsin Transportation Co. - in 1922 introduced service Milwaukee-Fond Du Lac; in 1922 route sold to WMBL.

Milwaukee-Western Auto Service - in 1922 introduced service Milwaukee-Oconomowoc; in 1922 sold to WMBL.

Highway Transit Co. - in 1922 introduced service Milwaukee-Watertown; in 1922 bankrupt.

Turnpike Transit Co. - in 1922 introduced service Milwaukee-Oconomowoc; in 1923 ceased operations.

Walter's Bus Line - in 1923 introduced luxury sedan service Milwaukee-Waukesha; in 1925 sold to WMBL.

Pickwick Stage Line - in 1923 briefly operated luxury sedan service Milwaukee-Oconomowoc.

Packard Deluxe Line - in 1923 introduced luxury sedan service Milwaukee-Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee-Hartford; in 1924 ceased operations.

Gray Motor Stage Line - in 1923 introduced service Janesville-Watertown-Beaver Dam; in 1926 sold to WMBL.

Knilan Bus Co. - in 1926 introduced luxury sedan service Milwaukee-Fort Atkinson; in 1927 ceased operations; WMBL also ceased competing service.

Menomonee Falls Transportation Co. - operated Milwaukee-Menomonee Falls; in 1927 sold to WMBL.

American Coach Lines - in 1926 introduced service Milwaukee-Green Bay; in 1927 introduced service Milwaukee-Wauwatosa, Milwaukee-North Milwaukee; in 1927 sold to WMBL.

WISCONSIN COACH LINES

Wisconsin Coach Lines was formed in 1941 as Waukesha Transit Lines, initially providing local service in Waukesha, and in 1950 extending service from Waukesha to Milwaukee by acquiring a route from Northland Greyhound Lines. In 1963, Waukesha Transit Lines expanded considerably throughout southeastern Wisconsin and was renamed Wisconsin Coach Lines. Wisconsin Coach Lines continues to operate over most of the routes.

BADGER COACHES

Official Web site for an additional bus company, which began operation in 1946 between Milwaukee and Madison.

NORTHLAND GREYHOUND LINES

Page covering histories of the Greyhound routes in Wisconsin.

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