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Milwaukee County Transit System

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Milwaukee County Transit System
FoundedJune 1, 1975 (49 years ago)
Headquarters1942 North 17th Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Service areaMilwaukee, Ozaukee, and Waukesha counties
Service type
Routes42
Stops4,591
Stations2
DepotsFond du Lac Operating Station Kinnickinnic Operating Station
Fleet360 buses
Daily ridership87,500 (weekdays, Q3 2024)[1]
Annual ridership17,507,900 (2023)[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 2023, the system had a ridership of 17,507,900, or about 87,500 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024.

History

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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 and stop annunciator system, whereas the new fareboxes were provided by Scheidt & Bachmann.[7]

MCTS NEXT

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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 during peak hours. The consensus from the study was that riders wanted faster service and were willing to walk extra distance to bus stops. MCTS presented two options - transition the system to an 80-20 model, meaning 80% of the routes would be high-frequency, or a 60-40 model with 60% of the routes high-frequency, the latter being what the public ultimately decided. 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 and the retirement of routes 64 and 67. The reimagined transit system was accompanied by a 14% increase in ridership after the first phase was implemented.[9]

Response to COVID-19

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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

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Overview

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MCTS began transitioning their fare system away from the M•CARD in favor of the WisGo card and Umo App, in mid-2023, with the M•CARD becoming invalid on October 1, 2023. Riders can 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 now hold the validation code up to new fare validators. The new fare system also features the WisGo Card, which effectively replaced the M•CARD. The ability to load 1, 7 and 31-day passes was eliminated in favor of stored value that never expires. The Go Pass and Reduced Fare programs were 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 features 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 remains a payment option, but riders using cash are not eligible for transfers or fare capping. 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)

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The U-Pass was replaced with a variant of the WisGo smartcard that will provide college students with unlimited rides through their university. Commuter Value Pass users also have a special WisGo smartcard issued by their employer that will provide them with the same benefits as the original CVP program did. CVP users can also use the Umo app.[13]

CONNECT 1 BRT

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MCTS Nova Bus LFSe+ serving the CONNECT 1 BRT route.
A CONNECT 1 station in downtown Milwaukee.

The East-West BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), 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 with USB charging, off-board fare collection, 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] The CONNECT 1 officially debuted June 4, 2023. The delivery of the Nova LFSe+ buses has been significantly delayed due to supply chain issues. The first 9 buses were delivered by October 2022. On August 25, 2023, these 9 electric buses 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 all eventually returned to service.[20] Subsequently, 1009 and 1010 were delivered around October 2023 and 1011 and 1012 were delivered in May 2024. The remaining two buses of the 15-bus order are expected to be delivered by Summer 2024. The off-board fare equipment was also significantly delayed due to supply chain issues, resulting in an extension of the free fare period for the CONNECT 1 until April 8, 2024.[21] 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%.[22]On June 2, 2024, the line was extended to The Couture, stopping at a transit concourse at the base of the building that is shared with The Hop.

Accolades

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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

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Active

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Numbers Builder Model Delivered
Notes
5100-5189 New Flyer D40LFR August 2010 First to feature near-zero emissions.

5133, 5163, 5168, 5183, 5189 active as of December 2024.

5200-5234 New Flyer D40LFR April 2011 5211, 5217, 5224, 5228-5230 active as of December 2024.
5300-5354 New Flyer D40LFR March 2012 5302-5305, 5308, 5310, 5314, 5318, 5323, 5325, 5327, 5328, 5331, 5333, 5337, 5339, 5340, 5344-5346, 5349-5352, 5354 active as of December 2024.
5400-5454 New Flyer XD40 July 2013 All active as of December 2024.

Clean air buses; first fleet in MCTS' history to feature rear destination signs on the back of the bus.

5500-5534 New Flyer XD40 January 2014 5500, 5502-5533 are active as of December 2024.

5501 retired due to a crash at Teutonia & Silver Spring in 2024.

5534 retired from a fire caused by a mechanical failure on April 27, 2024.

5600-5627 New Flyer XD40 October 2015 All active as of December 2024.

Clean air buses with new interior features, such as an automatically opening electronic smart door at the back of the bus.[26]

5628 & 5629 were canceled due to increased costs.

5601 was first new bus in service on Route 19 on Friday October 2, 2015.[27]

5700-5729 New Flyer XD40 August 2016 All active as of December 2024.

5713 features a white front LED destination sign.

5729 features an automatic Quantum wheelchair securement system.

5800-5814 New Flyer XD40 August 2017 All active as of December 2024.

First fleet in MCTS' history to feature aluminum rims.

5900-5927 Gillig Low Floor BRT June 2019 5900-5910, 5912-5927 active as of December 2024.

5911 was damaged in an accident on December 17, 2024 at Fond du Lac Avenue & Center Street.

First full fleet in MCTS' history to feature white LED destination signs and MCTS first Gillig order in decades.

6000-6022 Gillig Low Floor BRT June 2020 6000-6014, 6016-6022 active as of December 2024.

6015 retired due to damage from a very bad crash on September 11, 2022 at 11th & Mitchell.

6100-6113 Gillig Low Floor BRT 2021 All active as of December 2024.

The first part of a 73-bus order.[28]

6200-6258 Gillig Low Floor BRT 2022 6200-6207, 6209-6258 active as of December 2024.

6208 was damaged in a crash on December 21, 2024 at Oakland & Locust.

The second part of a 73-bus order.

6239, 6249, 6251-6258 were used exclusively for the CONNECT 1 BRT until September 20, 2024 when they started appearing on other routes.

1000-1014 Nova Bus LFSe+ November 2022 1000-1009, 1011-1014 active as of December 2024.

1010 was severely damaged in an accident on April 20, 2024 near 35th and Wisconsin Avenue.[29]

This 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.[30][31] The first 9 buses were delivered by late 2022, with 1009 and 1010 being delivered around October 2023, and 1011 and 1012 being delivered in May 2024. 1011 entered service on May 5, 2024, and 1012 entered service on May 11, 2024. They run exclusively on the CONNECT 1 BRT.

6300-6327 Gillig Advantage 2024[32] These buses will replace the remaining 5100/5200 series D40LFRs from 2010-2011 and accelerate the retirement of the 5300 series D40LFRs from 2012. The new Gilligs are regular Advantage Low Floor models, compared to the 5900-6200 series BRT Low Floors that MCTS previously received. They feature the Quantum automatic wheelchair securement system.

All 28 buses have been delivered and are active as of November 3, 2024.

Retired

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Numbers Builder Model Delivered Withdrawn
Notes
Pre-MCTS (ex Transport Co. fleet)
1320-1483 GMC TDH-5105 1953-1957 & 1959 1980 1329 & 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)

1484-1503 GMC TDH-5301 1960 1985
1504-1586 GMC TDH-5301 1962 1985
1601-1675 GMC TDH-5303 1963 1986
1701-1730 GMC TDH-5303 1964 1986
1751-1760 GMC TDH-5301 1960 1985 Originally operated by Triboro Coach and acquired in early 1965
1761-1770 GMC TDH-5302 1960 1985 Originally 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)

1801-1863 GMC TDH-5303 1965 1987 Were in the plan to be rehabilitated and later dropped.
1901-1960 GMC TDH-5303 1966 2001 Refurbished in 1982-1987 and repainted into MCTS' white with green stripe except 1911 and 1945, retired early and not rehabilitated.
2001-2030 GMC TDH-5303 1967 2001 Refurbished 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)
3000-3099 Flxible 53102-8-1 1978 1991 First 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

3100-3249 GMC RTS-II 1980 2000 First 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.

3300-3325 Neoplan N416 1982 1996 40-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.
3326-3343 Neoplan N416 1982 1991 35-ft. Only 18 built and for MCTS. 3334 used at Milwaukee County House of Correction as C3334 (1993-1996).
3400–3439 Crown-Ikarus 286 1984[33] 2000 60-foot articulated buses

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

3500-3571 Neoplan AN440 1985-1986 2002 Second generation; non-wheelchair
3600-3656 Neoplan AN440 1987 2002 Third 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.

3700-3816 Orion 05.501 1990-1991 2004 3700-3801 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.
3900-3911 Gillig Spirit 1991 2001
4000-4145 New Flyer D40LF 1996-1997 2011 A number placed in storage from mid 2009 to early 2010 due to cuts
4200-4208 New Flyer D30LF 1997 2010 Placed in storage in 2008 due to cuts
4300-4389 New Flyer D40LF 2000 2017 Originally retired in 2014. 4302, 4304, 4305, 4320, 4329, 4348 returned to service in Jan. 2015.

4305 and 4320 were still active in late 2016 .

4400-4468 New Flyer D40LF 2001 2015 Originally 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.[34]

4500-4519 New Flyer D30LF 2002 2012 4501, 4507, 4510, 4515-4519 went to Sheboygan after 2012
4600-4639 New Flyer D40LF 2002 2017 4607, 4614, 4617, 4626, 4633, & 4639 were converted as fare collection buses for Summerfest and Wisconsin State Fair for 2 seasons ( 2014-2015 ).
4700-4750 New Flyer D40LF 2003 2019
4800-4829 New Flyer D40LF 2004 2019 4801 used for a cooling-down spot at Summerfest.
4900-4914 New Flyer D40LF 2004 2019 Officially "2005" as that is when they were paid for; a future purchase for 15 more buses (4915-4929) were canceled due to cuts.
5000-5008 New Flyer D40LF 2004 2019 A purchase for 23 buses (5009-5031) were canceled due to cuts.
1000-1004 Gillig Advantage 2002 2014 Used 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

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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.[35]

In March 2023, Milwaukee County was awarded $8.4 million from the state to support the purchase of 16 battery electric buses (BEBs).[36]

Bus routes

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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.[37][38]

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.[39][40] 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.[41] 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.[42] 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.[43]

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. [44][45] This temporary extension was a result of additional funds being appropriated by Milwaukee County.[46] In 2020, MCTS operated 48 routes with 4,591 bus stops.[47]

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.[48] 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.[49]

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 was the first BRT route in the state of Wisconsin joined a year later in 2024 by the Metro Transit Rapid A route in Madison.

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
43S Hales Corners Summerfest Flyer Hales Corners P+R Lot Summerfest Chicago Harbor
49S Brown Deer Rd Summerfest Flyer Brown Deer Rd East P+R Lot Summerfest Chicago Harbor
Milwaukee County Transit System – Current Bus Routes
Route No. Name First Stop Last Stop
BlueLine Fond du Lac-Mill Milwaukee Intermodal Station Fond du Lac/Hampton

124th/Bradley

GreenLine Bayshore-Airport (via Oakland-Howell) General Mitchell Int'l Airport Bayshore Town Center
PurpleLine 27th Street College-Walmart

Drexel-IKEA

Loomis/29th

Bayshore Town Center
RedLine Capitol Drive University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 127th/Capitol Pick 'N Save
CONNECT 1 BRT Wisconsin-Bluemound Bus Rapid Transit The Couture Watertown Plank P&R
11 Hampton Avenue Hampton/Green Bay Hampton/124th
12 Teutonia Avenue Milwaukee Intermodal Station Service Road/Schroeder
14 Humboldt Boulevard Wisconsin/Cass Bayshore Town Center
15 Holton-Kinnickinnic Chicago/Drexel Richards/Capitol
18 National-Greenfield Milwaukee School of Engineering Viet Field (Broadway/Knapp) Beyond Vision VisAbility Center (108th/Lapham)

Industries for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Greenfield/124th

19 Dr. MLK Drive-S. 13th Zellman Court (13th/College)

Oak Creek (Centennial-Target)

Florist/Teutonia
20 S. 20th Street College-Walmart 2nd/National
21 North Avenue Lake Drive/Water Tower

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Mayfair Mall
22 Center Street University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 124th/North Ave
24 Forest Home-16th Northway (60th)/Grange

Southridge Mall

MCTS Admin Bldg (17th/Fond du Lac)
28 108th Street 108th/Grange Lovers Lane/Silver Spring
30 Sherman-Mill University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Woolworth-Mill/Sherman
31 State-Highland Milwaukee Intermodal Station Mayfair Mall
33 Vliet-84th Wisconsin/Cass National/79th
34 (Giannis Line) Hopkins-Congress Milwaukee Intermodal Station 92nd/Grantosa
35 35th Street Layton/60th Good Hope/Teutonia
51 Oklahoma Avenue New York-Delaware/Oklahoma Oklahoma/124th
52 Clement-Pennsylvania Herman/Kinnickinnic Lake Drive/Kelly Senior Center
53 Lincoln Avenue Bay/Conway Lincoln/114th
54 Burnham-Mitchell Holt/Chase National/112th
55 Layton Avenue Layton/107th Lake Drive/Kelly Senior Center

Lipton/Kinnickinnic

56 Greenfield-S. 43rd 1st/Mitchell Loomis/29th
57 Walnut-Appleton Milwaukee Intermodal Station Lovers Lane/Silver Spring
58 Villard Avenue Green Bay/Hampton Silver Spring/Lovers Lane
60 60th Street Layton/60th Brown Deer Road/66th-Walmart
63 Silver Spring Drive Bayshore Town Center Lovers Lane/Silver Spring
66 Burleigh Street Humboldt/Locust

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Mayfair Mall
68 Port Washington Road Fratney/Capitol Brown Deer East P&R
76 76th Street Southridge Mall Northridge Lakes/76th
80 6th St-Green Bay Ave General Mitchell Int'l Airport

MATC South Campus via Airport

Teutonia/Good Hope
81 Amazon-Oak Creek Amazon MKE2 (Bartel Court) Fond du Lac/35th-Burleigh (MCTS FDL Station)
88 Brown Deer Road Service Road/Schroeder 124th/Bradley
92 92nd Street Layton/87th (84 South) Brown Deer Rd/107th

Brown Deer Rd/114th-Lauer (Coca Cola)

HF1 Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy via Rt. 12 Villard/Hopkins Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy
HF2 Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy via BlueLine & Rt. 30 43rd/Silver Spring Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy

Other projects

[edit]

North-South Transit Enhancement Project

[edit]

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.[50] 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.[51]

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 was expected to conclude in 2025. However in late August 2024, Milwaukee County officials recommended and later approved the shelving of the Connect 2 project for an indeterminate amount of time due to budgetary concerns. The pausing of the project according to County Supervisors will allow MCTS to remain financially solvent until 2028. [52] [53]

Ridership

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Ridership Change over previous year
2010[54] 44,065,845 n/a
2011[55] 44,753,412 Increase1.56%
2012[56] 44,049,428 Decrease1.57%
2013[57] 43,008,924 Decrease2.36%
2014[58] 40,028,664 Decrease6.93%
2015[59] 39,313,138 Decrease1.79%
2016[60] 40,256,308 Increase2.40%
2017[61] 34,606,044 Decrease14.04%
2018[62] 30,429,788 Decrease12.07%
2019[63] 28,972,674 Decrease4.79%
2020[64] 15,595,089 Decrease46.17%
2021[65] 14,356,646 Decrease7.94%
2022[66] 15,557,421 Increase8.36%
2023[2] 17,137,300 Increase11.31%

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  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. ^ Kilmer, Graham. "Transportation: MCTS Pulling New Battery Electric Buses From the Road". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  21. ^ "Battery electric buses return to Milwaukee Co. following battery recall". www.tmj4.com. WTMJ-TV Milwaukee. September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  22. ^ "Home". www.eastwestbrt.com. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  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. ^ "Milwaukee County Transit System to replace 73 buses with new clean diesel buses by fall". TMJ4 News. August 16, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  29. ^ "1 dead, 9 injured after vehicle crashes into MCTS bus". CBS 58. April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  30. ^ "MCTS CONNECT: MILWAUKEE COUNTY TRANSIT SYSTEM CELEBRATES ARRIVAL OF FIRST BATTERY ELECTRIC BUS". Milwaukee Independent. November 17, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "MCTS Adds 28 New Buses". Urban Milwaukee. July 13, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ "End of the line for city bus No. 4418". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. July 20, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  35. ^ Kilmer, Graham. "Transportation: Federal Funds Could Finance Transition to Electric Buses". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  36. ^ Kilmer, Graham. "Transportation: State Gives Milwaukee Federal Money for Electric Buses". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  37. ^ Zeetser, David (December 1, 2011). "MCTS Announces Greenline, Blueline, and Redline". Planetizen. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  38. ^ "MCTS Launches New MetroEXpress Bus Service". UWM Report. January 25, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  39. ^ "WisDOT Faces Civil Rights Suit Over $1.7 Billion "Zoo Interchange" — Streetsblog USA". usa.streetsblog.org. August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  40. ^ "DOT to spend $13.5 million on transit to settle lawsuit". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  41. ^ "MTCS retires Route 10 name, ending a century of transit history". OnMilwaukee. January 21, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  42. ^ "MCTS introduces new MetroEXpress bus service and associated route changes". OnMilwaukee. January 2, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  43. ^ "Discontinued bus route draws protest". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  44. ^ "2018 Year in Review" (PDF). Milwaukee County Transit System. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  45. ^ "Routes & Schedules".
  46. ^ "Route 57's 'JobLines' Extension into Waukesha County Ends August 24". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  47. ^ "2020 Year in Review" (PDF). Milwaukee County Transit System. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  48. ^ "MCTS changes will affect freeway flyers, and buses to Brewers, State Fair and Summerfest". OnMilwaukee. November 21, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  49. ^ "Ride MCTS | Summerfest & Other Festivals". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  50. ^ "Home | Milwaukee North-South Transit Enhancement Study". North-South Transit Study. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  51. ^ "Home | Milwaukee North-South Transit Enhancement Project". North-South Transit Study. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  52. ^ "Home | Milwaukee North-South Transit Enhancement Project". North-South Transit Study. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  53. ^ Kilmer, Graham. "Transportation: Canceled BRT Project Saves MCTS Budget Until 2028". Urban Milwaukee.
  54. ^ "2010 Annual Report" (PDF).
  55. ^ "2011 Service Statistics" (PDF).
  56. ^ "2012 Service Statistics" (PDF).
  57. ^ "2013 Service Statistics" (PDF).
  58. ^ "2014 Service Statistics" (PDF).
  59. ^ "2015 Annual Statistics" (PDF).
  60. ^ "2016 Annual Statistics" (PDF).
  61. ^ "2017 Annual Statistics" (PDF).
  62. ^ "2018 Annual Report" (PDF).
  63. ^ "2019 Annual Report" (PDF).
  64. ^ "2020 Annual Report" (PDF).
  65. ^ "2021 Annual Report" (PDF).
  66. ^ "2022 Annual Report" (PDF).
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