Milwaukee County Transit System
FoundedJune 1, 1975 (48 years ago)
Headquarters1942 North 17th Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Service areaMilwaukee, Ozaukee, and Waukesha counties
Service type
Routes41
Stops4,591
Stations2
DepotsFond du Lac Operating Station Kinnickinnic Operating Station
Fleet360 buses
Daily ridership57,400 (weekdays, Q3 2023)[1]
Annual ridership15,914,000 (2022)[2]
OperatorMilwaukee Transport Services, Inc.
Chief executiveDenise Wandke
Websitewww.ridemcts.com

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is the largest transit agency in Wisconsin, and is the primary transit provider for Milwaukee County. It ranks among the top 50 transit agencies in the United States for total passenger trips.[3] Milwaukee Transport Services, Inc. is a quasi-governmental agency responsible for the management and operation of the Milwaukee County Transit System.[4] Its bus fleet consists of 360 buses. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 15,914,000, or about 57,400 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2023.

History

Public transit operations began in Milwaukee during 1860. The service consisted of two horse drawn cars. On June 1, 1975, Milwaukee County took over the bus system and established the Milwaukee County Transit System after taking over the assets of the Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Company, a private operator.

In 2009, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle proposed a three-county Regional Transit Authority that would incorporate MCTS.[5] The proposal faced opposition from some lawmakers and the Regional Transit Authority was never created.[6]

In late 2013 into the early part of 2014, MCTS began debuting new technology onboard buses. This included introducing real-time bus information allowing passengers to track the exact location of buses, new fareboxes and an electronic fare system by virtue of a smart card (M•CARD), and a stop announcement system complete with visual and audio information. Clever Devices is the provider of the real-time bus information, stop annunciator system and the farebox terminal, whereas the new fareboxes were provided by Scheidt & Bachmann.[7]

MCTS NEXT

In 2018, MCTS began a comprehensive study and overview of the entire fixed-route system and began the process of implementing a new system with faster service, more connections, and easier-to-understand routes. Multiple community meetings and forums were held to gather public input on the project. Prior to the project, only about 40% of the system was high-frequency routes, defined as routes on which buses come every 15 minutes. The consensus from the study was that riders wanted faster service and were willing to walk extra distance to bus stops. The public voted that the transit system would transition to a 60-40 model, meaning 60% of the routes would be high frequency. MCTS analyzed every bus stop in the system and removed some lightly used bus stops to speed up service.[8] The system overhaul was implemented in 3 phases in 2021, with the first one beginning March 7. This phase involved Routes 15, 19, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 63, and the introduction of new routes 20 and 68. The second phase was implemented June 6, 2021, and involved changes to routes PurpleLine, 12, 14, 21, 53, 57 and 80, with new routes 11, 34, 58 and 88 being introduced. The final phase of the project, implemented August 29, 2021, affected routes BlueLine, 22, 28, 54, 55, 56, 60, 76, with new routes 18, 66 and 92. The reimagined transit system was accompanied by a 14% increase in ridership after the first phase was implemented.[9]

Response to COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks were required on all MCTS buses. In the early stages of the pandemic, there was a passenger limit of 10 passengers per bus, which was increased to 15, but rescinded on July 1, 2021.[10] Passengers were encouraged to limit interaction with the bus driver, exit through the back door, and to use contactless fare forms, such as the M•CARD or Ride MCTS app.[11]

New Fare Collection System

Overview

MCTS is currently in the process of transitioning its fare collection system. Riders will continue to be able to pay fare via the Umo App using a credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Instead of showing the validation code in the Umo app to the driver, mobile users will now have to hold the validation code up to new fare validators. There will be a new smartcard, the WisGo Card, that will effectively replace the M•CARD. The ability to load 1, 7 and 31-day passes will be eliminated in favor of stored value. The Go Pass and Reduced Fare programs are being consolidated into one encompassing Reduced Fare Program. 90-minute transfers will be available for Umo app and WisGo card users and will cost $2 per transfer for regular adult fare, and $1 per transfer for reduced fare users. The new fare system will feature fare capping, ensuring regular riders do not pay more than $4 daily, $19.50 weekly, and $72 monthly, and reduced fare riders will not pay more than $2 daily, $11 weekly and $32 monthly. Cash will remain a payment option, but riders using cash will not be able to receive transfers or capped fares. The full adult cash fare was reduced from $2.25 to $2.00 to expedite fare payments (from $1.10 to $1.00 for reduced fare).[12]

Changes with U-Pass and Commuter Value Pass (CVP)

The U-Pass will be replaced with a variant of the WisGo smartcard that will provide them with unlimited rides. Commuter Value Pass users will also receive a WisGo smartcard from their employer that will allow them to continue riding the bus at a discounted rate. CVP users can also use the Umo app.[13]

CONNECT 1 BRT (Bus Rapid Transit)

A CONNECT 1 station in downtown Milwaukee.

The East-West BRT, now known as the CONNECT 1 BRT, is an 9-mile (14 km) route that serves the region's most traveled corridor. The BRT route runs primarily along Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee and Bluemound Road in Wauwatosa, connecting riders from Downtown Milwaukee and Marquette University to the west side of the city to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC).[14] Its goal is to connect thousands of people to and from work, universities, and recreational centers. It features battery-electric buses which receive traffic signal priority, off-board fare collection in the near future, special bus shelters with ramps for ADA accessibility, and dedicated travel lanes along portions of the route.[15]

In late 2018, the project design was finalized, and subsequently received federal approval.[16] MCTS utilized a Small Starts Grant Agreement from the Federal Transit Administration, which accounts for $40.9 million of the $55 million project.[17]

On March 11, 2021, MCTS announced they selected Nova Bus as the manufacturer of 15 LFSe+ battery-electric buses, 11 of which will be used for the new BRT line. MCTS was the first transit system in the United States to have been awarded a contract for Nova LFSe+ buses.[18][19] MCTS Connect officially started June 4, 2023. The first 11 Nova LFSe+ buses have been delivered as of October 2023, and the remaining 4 buses expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2024. This has been significantly delayed due to supply chain issues. It is estimated that by 2035, MCTS Connect will average more than 9,500 weekday riders, with overall transit ridership in the corridor increasing by 17%.[20]

On August 25, 2023, the 9 Nova LFSe+ electric buses that were exclusively used for the CONNECT 1 BRT were temporarily pulled from service due to a battery recall as a result of a potential manufacturing issue. Nova Bus financed the battery replacements, and most of the buses have returned to service,[21] alongside two new LFSe+ buses, totaling eleven buses. Due to a supply chain issue, the pre-board payment equipment has also been delayed, resulting in an extension of the fare-free period for the CONNECT until early 2024.[22]

Accolades

MCTS is known for its bus drivers doing good deeds around the city of Milwaukee, such as rescuing lost children, helping people with disabilities cross busy streets, and much more. Videos of such acts have gone viral, placing MCTS in the national spotlight. This recognition has resulted in MCTS receiving honors from organizations such as PETA[23] to an Innovators Award from the American Public Transportation Association in July 2019.[24] MCTS was also featured on a December 2018 episode of Inside Edition.[25]

Bus fleet

Active

NumbersBuilderModelDelivered
Notes
5100-5189New FlyerD40LFRAugust 2010First to feature near-zero emissions.

5119, 5133, 5159, 5163, 5168, 5172, 5183, 5189 are the last remaining ones in service as of August 2023.

5200-5234New FlyerD40LFRApril 20115211, 5217, 5220, 5224, 5228, 5229, 5230, 5233 are the last remaining ones in service as of August 2023.
5300-5354New FlyerD40LFRMarch 20125300, 5301, 5306, 5311, 5312, 5315, 5316, 5320, 5321, 5324, 5325, 5329, 5332, 5334–5336, 5341–5343, 5347 retired as of August 2023.
5400-5454New FlyerXD40July 2013Clean air buses; first fleet in MCTS' history to feature rear destination signs on the back of the bus.
5500-5534New FlyerXD40January 2014
5600-5627New FlyerXD40October 2015Clean air buses with new interior features, such as an automatically opening electronic smart door at the back of the bus.[26] 2 were canceled due to increased costs. 5601 was first new bus in service on Route 19 on Friday October 2, 2015.[27]
5700-5729New FlyerXD40August 20165713 features a white front LED destination sign.

5729 features an automatic Quantum wheelchair securement system.

5800-5814New FlyerXD40August 2017First fleet in MCTS' history to feature aluminum rims.
5900-5927GilligLow Floor BRTJune 2019Each subsequent fleet features white LED destination signs.
6000-6022GilligLow Floor BRTJune 2020
6100-6113GilligLow Floor BRT2022
6200-6258GilligLow Floor BRT20226239, 6249, 6251-6258 used exclusively for the CONNECT 1 BRT
1000-1014Nova BusLFSe+November 2022This is Nova Bus' first order for LFSe+ buses in the United States, and Milwaukee's first battery-electric buses. These buses feature USB charging, an automatic Quantum wheelchair securement system, and produce chimes when approaching stops for visually impaired riders. The buses also feature a new light blue paint scheme specifically designed for the CONNECT branding, as opposed to the normal blue, green and yellow MCTS livery.[28][29] As of October 2023, the first 11 buses (1000-1010) have been delivered and run exclusively on the CONNECT 1 BRT.

Retired

NumbersBuilderModelDeliveredWithdrawn
Notes
Pre-MCTS (ex Transport Co. fleet)
1320-1483GMCTDH-51051953-1957 & 195919801329 & 1343 painted in UWM black & metallic gold in 1975;

1335, 1336, 1339, 1406, 1411, 1415, 1421, 1428, 1430, 1432, 1446 & 1456 painted in two-tone county green in late 1975/early 1976. (All were painted for WTMJ Ch. 4 except 1456)

1466, 1467, 1470, 1473, 1474, 1477, 1479, 1481, 1482 & 1483 painted in dark green and white for Downtown ShuttleBug (Route 7) in 1975.

1483 is the last TDH-5105 built (1959)

1484-1503GMCTDH-530119601985
1504-1586GMCTDH-530119621985
1601-1675GMCTDH-530319631986
1701-1730GMCTDH-530319641986
1751-1760GMCTDH-530119601985Originally operated by Triboro Coach and acquired in early 1965
1761-1770GMCTDH-530219601985Originally operated by Triboro Coach and acquired in early 1965;

1761 and 1762 were used as sightseeing buses and can be distinguished by their scenic windows.

1761 used at Mitchell Field [Mitchell International Airport after 1986] (1982-1990)

1801-1863GMCTDH-530319651987Were in the plan to be rehabilitated and later dropped.
1901-1960GMCTDH-530319662001Refurbished in 1982-1987 and repainted into MCTS' white with green stripe except 1911 and 1945, retired early and not rehabilitated.
2001-2030GMCTDH-530319672001Refurbished in 1982-1987 and repainted into MCTS colors except 2024, retired early and not rehabilitated;

2001 was converted into a special bus that was used for handicapped and elderly use (1979-1994);

2003 used as a shuttle at Mitchell International Airport (1996-1998).

Post-MCTS (1975 to present)
3000-3099Flxible53102-8-119781991First order to feature handicapped seating and lifts and first with air conditioning; introduced MCTS' new color scheme.

3032 used at Mitchell International Airport (1990-1996).

3000 is the last 53102-8-1 built

3100-3249GMCRTS-II19802000First group to display route numbers on right end rear windows. Refurbished in 1987–1990 to add new vertically opening windows and new air conditioning units.

3219-3224 equipped with turbo engines and the only 6 plus a demo.

3120 & 3127 had Cummins engines.

3300-3325NeoplanN4161982199640-ft. Ordered with wheelchair lifts which were removed before entering service. Only 76 of this model built, only MCTS & Atlanta (MARTA) had them plus one demo.
3326-3343NeoplanN4161982199135-ft. Only 18 built and for MCTS. 3334 used at Milwaukee County House of Correction as C3334 (1993-1996).
3400–3439Crown-Ikarus2861984[30]200060-foot articulated buses

Very few systems had them, Portland (Tri-Met), Louisville (TARC), Houston and others.

3500-3571NeoplanAN4401985-19862002Second generation; non-wheelchair
3600-3656NeoplanAN44019872002Third generation: longer wheelbase moved rear axle further away from exit door; non-wheelchair.

These series had 2 engine types. 3600-3619 were Cummins while 3620-3656 had Detroit Diesel.

3700-3816Orion05.5011990-199120043700-3801 was the last order without wheelchair lifts; 3802-3816 were assigned to the Metrolink route and were identified by an orange stripe adjacent to MCTS's green; wheelchair lifts; last buses to display route destination numbers on right side rear windows.
4000-4145New FlyerD40LF1996-19972011A number placed in storage from mid 2009 to early 2010 due to cuts
4200-4208New FlyerD30LF19972010Placed in storage in 2008 due to cuts
4300-4389New FlyerD40LF20002017Originally retired in 2014. 4302, 4304, 4305, 4320, 4329, 4348 returned to service in Jan. 2015.

4305 and 4320 were still active in late 2016 .

4400-4468New FlyerD40LF20012015Originally retired in 2014. 4417, 4434, 4466 returned to service in Jan. 2015 and re-retired in Sept 2015.

4426, 4439 & 4447 were converted as fare collection buses for Summerfest & Wisconsin State Fair for 2 seasons (2014-2015).

4418 was the only bus in MCTS' history in which a homicide took place on board.[31]

4500-4519New FlyerD30LF200220124501, 4507, 4510, 4515-4519 went to Sheboygan after 2012
4600-4639New FlyerD40LF200220174607, 4614, 4617, 4626, 4633, & 4639 were converted as fare collection buses for Summerfest and Wisconsin State Fair for 2 seasons ( 2014-2015 ).
1000-1004GilligAdvantage20022014Used exclusively for Ozaukee County service. Officially retired on June 8, 2014, with 4 examples of this series being purchased by Wausau Transit System to replace buses that had structural problems. Bus 1004 has been out of service before the retirement due to transmission problems

Future

2020 Gillig BRT Bus 6000 at the MCTS Fleet Maintenance Facility

The Milwaukee County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) plans to seek approximately $55.2 million in federal grants for bus replacements to help finance the Milwaukee County Transit System's transition to an electric fleet. If the county secures the full grant awards MCTS is applying for, that would pay for 32 battery-electric buses and 60 clean-diesel buses.[32]

In March 2023, Milwaukee County was awarded $8.4 million from the state to support the purchase of 16 battery electric buses (BEBs).[33]

Bus routes

In January 2012, MCTS introduced three new express bus routes under the brand MetroEXpress. The GreenLine, BlueLine, and RedLine routes have a larger stop spacing than other routes.[34][35]

In August 2014, MCTS launched two new bus routes: Route 6 (New Berlin Industrial Park Express) and Route 279 (Menomonee Falls Industrial Park Express) and were marketed as "JobLines". These bus routes were the result of a lawsuit against the Department of Transportation claiming that the Zoo Interchange reconstruction project was discriminatory in that it only benefitted commuters from the predominantly White suburbs and did not advocate for public transit improvements in the city. As a result, the state spent $13.5 million on transit improvements, $11.5 million of which supported the funding for the routes until 2018.[36][37] Route 6 traveled from Port Washington Road & Capitol Drive, along Capitol Drive, Mayfair Road, Bluemound Road, and Moorland Road through the New Berlin Industrial Park to Buy Seasons in New Berlin. Route 279 traveled along Fond Du Lac Avenue from 35th Street to the Park Place Business Park, and then on to the Menomonee Falls Business Park to Pilgrim Road P+R Lot.

On January 18, 2015, the number 10 route was withdrawn. The route, which dated back to the 1920s, was the last streetcar in Milwaukee on its conversion to bus operation in 1958.[38] Two express services (GoldLine and PurpleLine) were introduced, with the PurpleLine offering express service on 27th Street from Glendale to Franklin, and the GoldLine effectively replacing Route 10 service from Brookfield to Downtown Milwaukee, and also being aligned with Route 30 to serve UWM. Route 61, a third "JobLine", was also introduced, which traveled from 35th Street & Capitol Drive, and ran northwest along Keefe Avenue, Appleton Avenue, Silver Spring Drive, Falls Parkway, and County Line Road to Germantown Walmart.[39] Route 279 was eliminated on August 27, 2016, because of extremely low ridership. The remaining funding for the route was reallocated into Routes 6 and 61.[40]

In 2018, the system operated 59 routes with 5,190 bus stops. In December 2018, it was announced that Routes 6 and 61 were retiring due to the end of the Zoo Interchange settlement funding. Both routes were retired by January 6, 2019, with Route 57 being reconfigured to still serve Waukesha County and Germantown Walmart, effectively replacing Route 61, until funding expiration on August 24, 2019. [41][42] This temporary extension was a result of additional funds being appropriated by Milwaukee County.[43] In 2020, MCTS operated 48 routes with 4,591 bus stops.[44]

All freeway flyer routes, including Routes 79, 137 and 143, in addition to the Cream Puff Line (service to Wisconsin State Fair), the Summerfest Shuttle (informally Route 7) and the Brewers Line (service to Brewers games at American Family Field) were formally eliminated towards the end of 2022 due to a projected budget shortfall in 2025.[45] The 3 UBUS routes have continued normal operation. MCTS provided two Summerfest freeway flyers in 2023, Route 40S, operating from the College Avenue Park and Ride lots, and Route 49S, operating from the Brown Deer Road East Park and Ride Lot.[46]

The CONNECT 1 Bus Rapid Transit route officially began June 4, 2023, providing service between Downtown Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center via Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee, and Bluemound Road in Wauwatosa. It is the first BRT route in the state of Wisconsin.

Milwaukee County Transit System – Summerfest Flyer Bus Routes
Route No. Name First Stop Last Stop
40S College Ave Summerfest Flyer College Ave P+R Lots (Northeast & Southwest) Summerfest Chicago Harbor
49S Brown Deer Rd Summerfest Flyer Brown Deer Rd East P+R Lot Summerfest Chicago Harbor
Milwaukee County Transit System – Current Regular Bus Routes as of Sunday, December 3, 2023
Route No. Name First Stop Last Stop Route Length
BlueLine Fond du Lac-Mill Downtown
Milwaukee Intermodal Station		 Lincoln Creek
Fond du Lac/Hampton		 6.7 miles (10.8 km)
Dretzka Park
124th/Bradley		 14.7 miles (23.7 km)
GreenLine (24-hour service) Bayshore-Airport (via Oakland-Howell) General Mitchell Int'l Airport Whitefish Bay
Marlborough/Hampton		 12.8 miles (20.6 km)
Glendale
Bayshore Town Center		 15.3 miles (24.6 km)
PurpleLine 27th Street Southpoint
Loomis/29th		 12.3 miles (19.8 km)
Franklin
College-Walmart		 16.1 miles (25.9 km)
Oak Creek
Drexel-IKEA		 18.2 miles (29.3 km)
RedLine Capitol Drive Downer Woods
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee		 Brookfield
127th/Capitol Pick 'N Save		 11.4 miles (18.3 km)
11 Hampton Avenue Lincoln Park
Hampton/Green Bay		 Butler
Hampton/124th		 6.9 miles (11.1 km)
12 Teutonia Avenue Downtown
Milwaukee Intermodal Station		 Brown Deer
Service Rd/Schroeder (south side)		 11.3 miles (18.2 km)
14 Humboldt Boulevard Downtown
Wisconsin/Cass		 Glendale
Bayshore Town Center		 7.0 miles (11.3 km)
15 Holton-Kinnickinnic South Milwaukee
Chicago/Drexel		 Williamsburg Heights
Richards/Capitol		 16.2 miles (26.1 km)
18 National-Greenfield Downtown
(MSOE Viet Field) (Broadway/Knapp)		 West Allis
VisABILITY Center (108th/Lapham)		 9.2 miles (14.8 km)
West Allis
Greenfield/124th		 9.9 miles (15.9 km)
19 Dr. MLK Dr-S. 13th Thurston Woods
Florist/Teutonia		 College Heights
Zellman Court (13th/College)		 16.3 miles (26.2 km)
Oak Creek
Centennial-Target		 20.1 miles (32.3 km)
20 S. 20th Street Franklin
College-Walmart		 Walkers Point
2nd/National		 8.6 miles (13.8 km)
21 North Avenue Downer Woods
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee		 Wauwatosa
Mayfair Mall		 10.6 miles (17.1 km)
22 Center Street Wauwatosa
North Ave/124th		 10.7 miles (17.2 km)
24 Forest Home-16th St Greenfield
Southridge Mall		 Triangle
MCTS Admin Building (17th/Fond du Lac)		 9.9 miles (15.9 km)
28 108th Street Timmerman West
Lovers Lane/Silver Spring		 Hales Corners108th/Grange 13.8 miles (22.2 km)
30 Sherman-Wisconsin Downer Woods
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee		 Graceland
Sherman/Mill		 14.2 miles (22.9 km)
31 State-Highland Downtown
Milwaukee Intermodal Station		 Wauwatosa
Mayfair Mall		 9.4 miles (15.1 km)
33 Vliet-84th Downtown
Prospect/State		 West Allis
National/79th		 9.4 miles (15.1 km)
34 (Giannis Line) Hopkins-Congress Downtown
Milwaukee Intermodal Station		 Lindsay Park
92nd/Grantosa		 9.1 miles (14.6 km)
35 35th Street Greenfield
Layton/60th		 Tripoli Park
Good Hope/Teutonia (facing west)		 15.2 miles (24.5 km)
51 Oklahoma Avenue Bay View
New York-Delaware/Oklahoma		 West Allis
Oklahoma/124th		 9.7 miles (15.6 km)
52 Clement-Pennsylvania Bay View
Herman/Kinnickinnic		 Cudahy
Lake Dr/Kelly Senior Center		 7.1 miles (11.4 km)
53 Lincoln Avenue Bay View
Bay/Conway		 West Allis
Lincoln/114th		 8.3 miles (13.4 km)
54 Mitchell-Burnham Bay View/Saveland Park
Holt/Chase		 West Allis
National/112th		 12.2 miles (19.6 km)
55 Layton Avenue Lipton/Kinnickinnic Layton/107th 10.3 miles (16.6 km)
Cudahy
Lake Dr/Kelly Senior Center (WEEKDAY SERVICE ONLY)		 12.1 miles (19.5 km)
56 Greenfield-S. 43rd Clock Tower Acres
1st/Mitchell		 SouthpointLoomis/29th 7.0 miles (11.3 km)
57 Walnut-Appleton Downtown
Milwaukee Intermodal Station		 Timmerman West
Lovers Lane/Silver Spring		 11.6 miles (18.7 km)
58 Villard Avenue Lincoln Park
Green Bay/Hampton		 7.2 miles (11.6 km)
60 60th Street Greenfield
Layton/60th		 Brown Deer
Walmart-66th		 18.2 miles (29.3 km)
63 Silver Spring Drive Timmerman West
Lovers Lane/Silver Spring		 Glendale
Bayshore Town Center		 7.6 miles (12.2 km)
66 Burleigh Street Riverwest
Humboldt/Locust		 Wauwatosa
Mayfair Mall		 8.7 miles (14.0 km)
Downer Woods
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee		 9.9 miles (15.9 km)
68 Port Washington Road Riverwest
Fratney/Capitol		 River Hills
Brown Deer East P&R Lot		 8.2 miles (13.2 km)
76 76th Street Greenfield
Southridge Mall		 Northridge
Northridge Lakes/76th		 17.5 miles (28.2 km)
80 6th St-Green Bay Ave Tripoli Park
Teutonia/Good Hope		 General Mitchell Int'l Airport 16.5 miles (26.6 km)
Oak Creek
MATC South Campus via Airport		 20.5 miles (33.0 km)
81 Amazon-Oak Creek Sherman Park
Fond du Lac/35th-Burleigh		 Oak Creek
Amazon MKE2 (Oak Creek)		 16.5 miles (26.6 km)
88 Brown Deer Road Brown Deer
Service Rd/Schroeder (south side)		 Dretzka Park
124th/Bradley		 8.2 miles (13.2 km)
92 92nd Street Greenfield
Layton/84th (S. 87th) (84 South)		 Granville
Heather/107th		 19.4 miles (31.2 km)
CONNECT 1 BRT Wisconsin Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Downtown
Wisconsin & Van Buren BRT Station		 Wauwatosa
Watertown Plank P&R BRT Station		 9.0 miles (14.5 km)

Other projects

North-South Transit Enhancement Project

Currently, Milwaukee County, MCTS, and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) are engaged in a study of the 27th Street Corridor. A considerable number of jobs, shopping centers, and medical facilities are along this corridor, currently served by the PurpleLine. This project plans to enhance transit along 27th Street by re-imagining the PurpleLine as a BRT line, which would add a second route to the CONNECT BRT system. While the current PurpleLine is already a pseudo-express route, it does not offer authentic express service for the majority of the route, as on average, stops are 0.2 miles (1,100 ft; 0.32 km; 320 m) apart. This is one of the aspects of transit in this corridor that this project will address.[47] Furthermore, this project aims to address racial inequalities in the transit system, reduce reckless driving along 27th Street, attract new riders, and overall improve the quality of transit in this corridor.[48]

The recommended route was developed during the feasibility study, which concluded in 2022. This new, 18-mile route would travel from Bayshore Mall in Glendale to the Oak Creek IKEA via Silver Spring, Teutonia and 27th Street, serving 33 stops in each direction, including St. Luke's Medical Center at 27th and Oklahoma, two Walmart stores, one at 27th and Ohio and another near 27th and Sycamore, and the Northwestern Mutual Franklin Campus near 27th and Drexel. This corridor features nearly 50,000 jobs, 2,500 businesses, 4 major medical facilities, 63 K-12 schools, 36 grocery and big-box discount stores, and 12 community resource centers. MCTS began the environmental review and design phase of the project in 2023, which is expected to conclude in 2025. Following that, construction of the new system would begin, which would include adding specialized stations and off-board fare collection technology to bus stops, dedicated travel lanes for buses and possibly traffic signal priority. Construction is expected to conclude sometime in 2027, with service beginning in 2028.[49]

Ridership

RidershipChange over previous year
2010[50] 44,065,845n/a
2011[51] 44,753,412Increase1.56%
2012[52] 44,049,428Decrease1.57%
2013[53] 43,008,924Decrease2.36%
2014[54] 40,028,664Decrease6.93%
2015[55] 39,313,138Decrease1.79%
2016[56] 40,256,308Increase2.40%
2017[57] 34,606,044Decrease14.04%
2018[58] 30,429,788Decrease12.07%
2019[59] 28,972,674Decrease4.79%
2020[60] 15,595,089Decrease46.17%
2021[61] 14,356,646Decrease7.94%
2022[62] 15,557,421Increase8.36%

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2022" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  3. ↑ 2013 Public Transportation Fact Book (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. October 2013. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Milwaukee County Transit System Open Records Public Notice". Milwaukee County Transit System. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Doyle renews push for transit plan". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. September 8, 2009. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Governor Doyle Vetoes Milwaukee County Sales Tax for Transit". Urban Milwaukee. July 2, 2009. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  7. ↑ "MCTS Previews Technology Upgrades". CBS58. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  8. ↑ "MCTS NEXT". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  9. ↑ "MCTS NEXT". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  10. ↑ "MCTS to Require Masks on Buses Starting August 1, 2020". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)". Milwaukee County Transit System. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Current MCTS Fares". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Fare Collection System Update". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Ride MCTS | About MCTS | News". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  15. ↑ "FAQ". www.eastwestbrt.com. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  16. ↑ "FONSI". www.eastwestbrt.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Ride MCTS | About MCTS | Bus Rapid Transit". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  18. ↑ "MCTS News". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Milwaukee County Transit System selects Nova Bus to supply 15 electric LFSe+ buses — a first LFSe+ order for Nova Bus in the U.S." Novabus. March 11, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Home". www.eastwestbrt.com. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  21. ↑ Kilmer, Graham. "Transportation: MCTS Pulling New Battery Electric Buses From the Road". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Battery electric buses return to Milwaukee Co. following battery recall". www.tmj4.com. WTMJ-TV Milwaukee. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  23. ↑ "PETA honors MCTS bus driver who saved turtle" from WDJT (Weigel Broadcasting) (July 8, 2019)
  24. ↑ "‘MCTS Excellence’ Video Series Honored with Prestigious National Award" from Urban Milwaukee (July 21, 2019)
  25. ↑ "MCTS NEXT". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  26. ↑ riedmcts.com/about-us/news/new-mcts-buses-hitting-the-road
  27. ↑ ridemcts.com/about-us/news/new-mcts-buses-hitting-the-road
  28. ↑ "MCTS CONNECT: MILWAUKEE COUNTY TRANSIT SYSTEM CELEBRATES ARRIVAL OF FIRST BATTERY ELECTRIC BUS". Milwaukee Independent. November 17, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Milwaukee County Transit System selects Nova Bus to supply 15 electric LFSe+ buses — a first LFSe+ order for Nova Bus in the U.S." March 11, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  30. ↑ Schultz, Russell E. (May–June 1986). "Milwaukee Part V [of history of transit in that city]: Milwaukee County Transit System, 1975 to 1985". Motor Coach Age, pp. 3–36. Motor Bus Society. ISSN 0739-117X.
  31. ↑ "End of the line for city bus No. 4418". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. July 20, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  32. ↑ Kilmer, Graham. "Transportation: Federal Funds Could Finance Transition to Electric Buses". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  33. ↑ Kilmer, Graham. "Transportation: State Gives Milwaukee Federal Money for Electric Buses". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  34. ↑ Zeetser, David (December 1, 2011). "MCTS Announces Greenline, Blueline, and Redline". Planetizen. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  35. ↑ "MCTS Launches New MetroEXpress Bus Service". UWM Report. January 25, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  36. ↑ "WisDOT Faces Civil Rights Suit Over $1.7 Billion "Zoo Interchange" — Streetsblog USA". usa.streetsblog.org. August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  37. ↑ "DOT to spend $13.5 million on transit to settle lawsuit". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  38. ↑ "MTCS retires Route 10 name, ending a century of transit history". OnMilwaukee. January 21, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  39. ↑ "MCTS introduces new MetroEXpress bus service and associated route changes". OnMilwaukee. January 2, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Discontinued bus route draws protest". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  41. ↑ "2018 Year in Review" (PDF). Milwaukee County Transit System. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Routes & Schedules".
  43. ↑ "Route 57's 'JobLines' Extension into Waukesha County Ends August 24". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  44. ↑ "2020 Year in Review" (PDF). Milwaukee County Transit System. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  45. ↑ "MCTS changes will affect freeway flyers, and buses to Brewers, State Fair and Summerfest". OnMilwaukee. November 21, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Ride MCTS | Summerfest & Other Festivals". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Home | Milwaukee North-South Transit Enhancement Study". North-South Transit Study. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  48. ↑ "Home | Milwaukee North-South Transit Enhancement Project". North-South Transit Study. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  49. ↑ "Home | Milwaukee North-South Transit Enhancement Project". North-South Transit Study. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  50. ↑ "2010 Annual Report" (PDF).
  51. ↑ "2011 Service Statistics" (PDF).
  52. ↑ "2012 Service Statistics" (PDF).
  53. ↑ "2013 Service Statistics" (PDF).
  54. ↑ "2014 Service Statistics" (PDF).
  55. ↑ "2015 Annual Statistics" (PDF).
  56. ↑ "2016 Annual Statistics" (PDF).
  57. ↑ "2017 Annual Statistics" (PDF).
  58. ↑ "2018 Annual Report" (PDF).
  59. ↑ "2019 Annual Report" (PDF).
  60. ↑ "2020 Annual Report" (PDF).
  61. ↑ "2021 Annual Report" (PDF).
  62. ↑ "2022 Annual Report" (PDF).
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