New bus routes give some people opportunity to work outside their neighborhood

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Riding the bus was something Jackie Ivy never had to do.

But when her car broke down back in February, she needed a lift. Since there were no buses that went out to Menomonee Falls, Ivy lost her job.

"I was hurt, I was very disappointed, that was my livelihood. So I no longer had a livelihood and it placed me in a position of homelessness," said Ivy.

Now that's changing.The Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied for Hope, or MICAH, and the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin had a lawsuit against the federal and state Department of Transportation over its Zoo Interchange project.

"The needs of people without cars was not considered or planned for and so what we said is there needs to be consideration for all of people who are paying for this and who are affected," said Joyce Ellwanger with the MICAH Transportation Work Group.

These groups recently reached a settlement of $13.5 million.This money will be used to pay for 3 new bus routes to New Berlin, Menomonee Falls, and Germantown over the next 4 years.

"That`s how you`re going to grow your economy not by segregating yourselves. So we`re not only looking at this as a job opportunity, we`re looking at it as a shopping opportunity, we look at it as a trade opportunity, and we also look at it as common sense," said MICAH President Willie Brisco.

Many have faith this settlement is just the beginning of more changes that will bring people together.

"We hope that this does not just last for 4 years but this goes on forever and it opens the minds of every Wisconsinite to know that we are all one people," said Brisco.

Giving Ivy hope for the future.

The New Berlin route begins on August 24th, the Menomonee Falls route begins on August 25th, and the Germantown route will start in January.