"We're trying to eliminate the distance:" Bus riders think little of Southridge Mall bus stop compromise

GREENDALE (WITI) -- A proposed compromise doesn't impress many of those who attended Monday night's meeting regarding the bus stops at Southridge Mall. While county officials and mall management are still in talks, concerned bus riders say so far, the concessions don't go far enough.

Getting on Milwaukee County Transit buses is no problem for those who took an informational tour on Monday, June 23rd.

Their issue is in regards to where the buses drop them off at Southridge Mall.

As of last November, bus riders have had to walk about 1,000 feet and across part of the parking lot to get to the mall's entrance.

Most of the concern is for the elderly and passengers with disabilities.

"They have to cross the parking lot. That is not safe for someone who is low vision and has hearing loss," Joan Schneider with the Center for Deaf and Blind Persons said.

At Monday's meeting, county officials told the audience the relocated stops don't violate state or federal law. They made a pitch for a proposal that would move the current stop about 200 feet closer to the entrance.

Routes 55 and 14 buses would drop off at the north end of the mall.

Two of the four routes would move their drop-off point to a new second stop on the south side of the mall.

Routes 76 and 64 buses would move to the south end of the mall -- near Macy's.

"This will lead to, hopefully a written memorandum of agreement, which will formally go before the Transportation Committee of the board," Milwaukee County Supervisor Patricia Jursik said.

But before the county's lawyer goes back to mall management, officials presented an initial proposal to concerned riders.

"We wanted the group that's been the most active around the Southridge bus issue to hear the proposal, have the opportunity to ask questions, weigh in, etc. This is their forum, if you will," Jursik said.

During that session, it became clear most of the audience thinks little of the compromise.

"It's still a distance from where the people have to get off to the door and what we're trying to do is eliminate that distance," Frank Gonzales, a concerned bus rider said.

FOX6 News spoke with the PR firm that represents Southridge Mall -- but never heard back from the firm or mall management itself.

The county's lawyer says the mall has a strong legal position, and does not have to let buses get any closer to the mall's entrance.

However, officials add negotiations are still ongoing, and that by sharing feedback from Monday's meeting, the  mall will make additional concessions.

MCTS says about 150 buses stop daily at Southridge Mall.