New Intercity Bus Service Offers Service to Madison, Chicago

GOGO Charters Midwest bus. Image provided.

A new Midwestern intercity bus service aims to launch this summer with daily coach service between Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and 12 other cities.

GOGO Charters intends to enter the intercity market this summer, expanding on its existing bus rental service.

“Passengers riding with GOGO Charters can expect an elevated travel experience with modern buses offering amenities including plush reclining seats, Wi-Fi, and onboard restrooms,” said the company in a press release. “GOGO Charters’ mobile app simplifies booking, provides real-time trip tracking, and delivers e-tickets for secure and convenient bookings.”

Milwaukee will be included on a Chicago-to-Madison route that includes stops in The Loop in Chicago, the Waukegan Metra station, downtown Milwaukee, a park-in-ride in Sun Prairie and a near Capitol stop in Madison.

Fares are expected to start as low as $10, but are currently unavailable to book. “Exact launch date, schedules and pricing will be announced at a later date,” said a GOGO Charters representative via email. The Madison-Chicago route will include at least one daily trip in each direction.

Two earlier route versions listed in a prior press release and in the company’s smartphone application included stops in Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Johnson Creek and Waukesha, but the company said the currently planned route is between Chicago, Waukegan, Milwaukee, Sun Prairie and Madison.

The smartphone application promises to notify interested individuals once the service is available.

Several intercity bus companies already operate out of Milwaukee, with destinations primarily focused on Wisconsin and Minnesota cities. Those providing service include FlixBus and its subsidiary Greyhound Lines, Badger Bus, Coach USA and its Megabus, Van Galder and Wisconsin Coach Lines brands, Jefferson Lines, Indian Trails, Tornado Bus Company and Lamers Bus Lines.

Flix Bus is the newest entrant. It launched a Midwestern network in 2021 and its German parent company, FlixMobility, acquired Greyhound later that same year.

The GOGO Charters network, which is planned to include six routes, will stretch from Madison to Columbus, Ohio. Three routes (Indianapolis, Detroit and Madison) will meet in Chicago while additional routes will run between Indianapolis and Columbus, Columbus and Cleveland and Cleveland and Detroit.

The company, according to the press release, intends to eventually develop a nationwide network. In addition to the Midwest, it has announced a planned network in Louisiana and Texas.

Chicago-to-Madison Route

• Chicago – Renaissance Chicago Downtown – 1 W. Upper Wacker Drive
• Waukegan – Waukegan Station – 95 N. Spring St.
• Milwaukee – Milwaukee Marriott Downtown – 625 N. Milwaukee St.
• Sun Prairie – U.S. 151 Park and Ride – 2751 O’Keeffe Ave.
• Madison – The Madison Concourse Hotel – 1 W. Dayton St.

Network Map

GOGO Charters planned Midwest network. Image provided.

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