Enjoy the
RYDE

Horse-drawn cars rolled along narrow-gauge tracks laid in the unpaved streets. The line connected Racine’s three train depots operating on State Street, Main Street, Park Avenue, 14th Street, Junction Avenue.

The line was completely rebuilt with standard gauge tracks paved with cobblestone. Trolley cars powered from an overhead electric wire operated over the route.

The M-R-K becomes the nation’s first electric interurban line connecting Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha.

The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company (TMER&L) purchases the Racine system.

The electric line connects the two cities. The Racine station is located on the edge of the city on West Boulevard and Washington Avenue in West Racine.

TMER&L expands Racine streetcar operations.

Feeder bus routes introduced to bring passengers from suburbs to streetcars at city limits. Racine operates 75 streetcars.

Racine streetcar and bus operations sold to Racine Motor Coach Lines.

Last streetcar route replaced by buses.

First female bus drivers hired.

M-R-K interurban abandoned

North Shore interurban abandoned.

Lakeshore Transit-Racine operates the Racine and Kenosha systems.

Flash City Transit operates the Racine transit system, school buses, and taxi service.

Racine voters approve a referendum for public ownership of the city transit system. Flash Transit was purchased by the city and was renamed the Belle Urban System (BUS).

The new Racine Transit Center is opened on State Street.

The former Chicago & North Western railroad station on State Street is renovated as part of the Racine Transit Center.

Belle Urban System (BUS) rebranded as RYDE Racine.

Bus drivers and managers of the Racine system become city employees. The first battery-electric buses go into service in Racine.