How do I get from Lomira, WI to Sussex, WI and back again without killing my finances?

March 26, 2009 11:17 AM

How do I get from Lomira, WI to Sussex, WI and back again without dropping hundreds of dollars on a rental car?

Hi there. This is a bit of a complicated situation.

As mentioned way back here, I'm moving from California to Wisconsin for my first job out of college. That move is taking place in a few days - - I'll be flying out early Monday morning.

The initial four-six weeks of the job are in Lomira, WI (40 miles north of Milwaukee), and after that in Sussex, WI (right next to Milwaukee). I've been in contact with the new hire coordinator who worked it out for someone to pick me up from the airport and get me to the apartments they're putting me up at in Lomira. This is pretty great.

Then, a couple of days ago, I'm told I need to figure out a way to get from Lomira to Sussex for Orientation on Wednesday. Now, the papers they sent over mentioned Orientation is in Sussex, but they've known from the start I wouldn't have transportation when I get out there. The person has looked up alternatives (using a company car, etc.), and I'm very grateful for that, but unfortunately none of them have turned out to be viable. I'm being told I should probably rent a car through Thursday, and it sounds like its at my own expense.

For a 23 year-old kid who is already short on cash, pouring several hundred dollars to rent a car for four days on last minute notice seems unreasonable. If all else fails, I (think) I can afford this, but it's going to leave me eating Top Ramen for some time and basically remove all my safety money. To make matters worse, there's nowhere for me to even drop off the car again. There are no rental car places in Lomira. I talked to my cheapest option, Enterprise, and their nearest place is in Appleton, WI - - 50 miles away in the wrong direction. They will not pick it up from here. So...even if I rent a car in Milwaukee...there's no way to get back up to Lomira.

Are there any alternatives? I've searched around for some way to get me there and back, but I'm coming up short, and frankly I'm starting to panic. I spoke to a few natives who weren't aware of any bus or train service that goes up around those parts. Does anyone know of any shuttle service, or have any other ideas?

Thanks in advance for the help, MeFi.

posted by HonorShadow to work & money (10 comments total)

I would try looking up Greyhound to see if there is a bus you could catch. Seems likely since most of the route is on 41 btw Fond du Lac and Milwaukee. You may have to find a ride from Mke or Germantown to Sussex, but you could probably get a cab or maybe someone from work would be going that way.

Also, you might try posting an ad on Craigslist saying you are willing to pay x for a ride to and from Sussex. Could be cheaper than a rental car.
posted by sulaine at 11:26 AM on March 26

Quad/graphics? You might want to try posting a craigslist ad asking for a ride. People there are very familiar with Quad, so people will understand your situation and not think you're a random wacko.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/rid/

Also, Quad is pretty congenial (and also very friendly midwestern-wise), so you may be able to ask someone in HR to send a big email out asking for help for you, or post on whatever message board they might have there, etc. People in the midwest are very helpy, use it to your advantage.

Alternatively, you could post at the universities there asking if someone could help you out for a few bucks (e.g., seeking a college student who could use some extra cash, which would still be cheaper for you than renting a car. And yes, it's a real pain to rent a car there due to the location.).
posted by December at 11:30 AM on March 26

There is an Enterprise in Fond du Lac, 20 miles north of Lomira. And out there, 20 miles is close.

Otherwise, I would think Quad employees would be able to help with rides.
posted by limeswirltart at 11:35 AM on March 26

If you can get to West Bend (there is a # for a shared taxi on the link), there's a bus to Milwaukee. From Milwaukee there is a bus directly to Quad in Sussex.
posted by desjardins at 11:58 AM on March 26

I'm being told I should probably rent a car through Thursday, and it sounds like its at my own expense.

If the orientation is on Wednesday (right?), are you saying can get down there and just can't get back up? If you just need transportation on Thursday, I might be able to help out.
posted by niles at 12:02 PM on March 26

Oh. You said "through Thursday", not "for Thursday". Right.

Well, my literacy skills notwithstanding, let me know if you end up needing transportation on Thursday.
posted by niles at 12:07 PM on March 26

Thanks for the responses, guys. Yes, it is Quad (good guess! :)); the problem is that there isn't anyone from the company making that commute during that time period. I've just emailed back my coordinator, though, to see if he has any other suggestions. Craigslist is a good idea, and worst case scenario I'll post something about $100 + gas to get there and back. The time frame on all this is the biggest concern.

The guy I spoke to at Enterprise in Milwaukee seemed to think their nearest location was in Appleton. Thanks for the heads-up about Fond du Lac; 20 miles is a lot closer and may make things a bit easier.

There's a possibility I might be able to stay with someone for a few days in Milwaukee (using the bus to get to the Sussex plant on Wednesday), which would mean I'd only need a ride up to Lomira on Wednesday night or Thursday. If that's true, I'll give you a shout as soon as I'm able, niles.

Thanks so much for the help so far!
posted by HonorShadow at 12:33 PM on March 26

There's an Enterprise in West Bend, too.
posted by limeswirltart at 3:09 PM on March 26

I know that the Milwaukee airport has "limousine" services -- basically, private cars and drivers that work well as a sort of long-distance taxi. I can't recommend any of them personally, but I think it was something like $200 to Madison, which is about 80 miles away (don't ask me why we had to arrange that... oy). Should be quite a bit cheaper for you.
posted by Madamina at 4:33 PM on March 26

Thanks again, everybody. I think I got it worked out. A guy I once stayed with through Couchsurfing is generously putting me up Monday-Thursday. Someone I know happened to stumble across a DoT PDF on "How to Survive in Wisconsin Without a Car" (perfect, I know) which lists all the transportation and bus routes in the state. Apparently, Greyhound does stop nine miles away from my apartment in Lomira.

My current plan is to stay in Milwaukee for a few days, take the bus from Milwaukee to the Sussex plant for Orientation, and on Thursday take Greyhound up to Font du Lac and taxi back down to my apartment (estimated about $35 in total). Unorthodox, yes, but I think it'll work. Thanks for the assist, especially to the people who graciously offered to give me a lift if all else fell through!
posted by HonorShadow at 5:23 PM on March 26