MUSKEGON, MI – The Lake Express, the daily ferry that crosses Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Muskegon, will open to the public next week.
Opening day was delayed until Thursday, June 4, because of restrictions on travel due to the novel coronavirus. In light of ongoing uncertainty caused by that outbreak, the ferry has waived change and cancellation fees.
Representatives from the company did not respond to MLive’s queries about other changes to operations that might be a consequence of COVID-19, such as whether the ship will operate at its 250-passenger capacity.
This year, children aged 17 and under will be able to ride for free alongside paying adults, although port and security surcharges will still apply.
Motorcycle fares will also be waived this summer.
The daily ferry service has been around since 2004. It travels 80 miles across Lake Michigan between the Muskegon Terminal, 1918 Lakeshore Drive, and the Milwaukee Terminal. The trip takes 2 1/2 hours.
Up to 250 passengers and 46 cars can fit aboard the 192-foot-long ship.
From Thursday, June 4, to Thursday, June 18, the ferry will run four trips a day: two from Muskegon, and two from Milwaukee. Beginning on Friday, June 19, the ferry will operate a summer season with six trips a day, running in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
The two-a-day schedule will resume again in the fall, from Tuesday, Sept. 8, to Friday, Oct. 25, at which point the ferry will shutter for the winter.
One-way tickets range from $89 for active military members and college students, to $97.50 for adults, with discounts for seniors and roundtrip purchases.
Up the lakeshore, the S.S. Badger also runs a daily ferry across Lake Michigan, between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. That daily car ferry has also been delayed, but launches its season on Friday, June 12.
The Badger’s four-hour passenger crossing has taken place since 1991. This year, there will only be two trips per day, one from each port, from opening day until the sailing season ends on Sunday, Oct. 11.
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