MCTS Restoring Some Service Cuts in June

MCTS Gillig bus. Photo by taken March 19, 2025, by Graham Kilmer.

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is restoring service along four routes cut back earlier this year.

Beginning June 7, a quarterly service adjustment will take effect, and MCTS plans to use funding set aside in the 2026 budget to restore midday service along Routes 28, 33, 34 and 55 on weekdays. The existing weekend schedule for these routes will remain.

The MCTS budget was cut by $9.3 million to close a major budget gap following the exhaustion of federal stimulus funding received during the COVID-19 pandemic. The system cut six routes to only provide service during peak travel times, or the hours at the beginning and end of the day when many people are commuting to and from work. Those included the four routes now receiving extra funding, as well as Routes 20 and 58.

The initial MCTS budget deficit for 2026 was projected at approximately $14 million. The system was proposing eliminating entire routes from the network. Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell sponsored a budget amendment adding approximately $4.7 million back into the transit budget to preserve the existing network but with significant reductions to service frequency.

Instead of deploying all the funding at once, MCTS reserved approximately $386,000 in a contingency account to make service adjustments throughout the year.

“By restoring midday service on these routes and making reliability improvements across the system, we’re continuing to invest in a transit network that is safe, dependable, and responsive to the needs of our community,” County Executive David Crowley said in a statement released by MCTS. “These updates reflect our commitment to improving access and ensuring riders can count on public transit in Milwaukee County.”

The service adjustments in June also include two routing changes to the BlueLine and Route 66. There are also four detours that will continue or begin in summer. They are listed on an MCTS webpage providing updates to service changes.

“Summer service changes are about making sure our riders have safe, reliable and dependable transit,” said MCTS President and CEO Steve Fuentes. “Summer is also one of the best times to experience riding the bus, whether you’re heading to a lakefront festival, a Milwaukee Brewers game, or exploring the city with family and friends.”

Service Restoration

Route 28: Service will run 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, with buses arriving every 30 minutes during peak travel hours and every 40 minutes midday.

Route 33: Service will run 5:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, with buses arriving every 30 minutes during peak travel hours and every 45 minutes midday.

Route 34: Service will run 5 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. on weekdays, with buses arriving every 32-35 minutes during peak travel hours and every 32 minutes mid-day. 

Route 55: Service will run 5:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. on weekdays, with buses arriving every 30 minutes throughout the day.

Route Changes

BlueLine: Southbound buses on the BlueLine will run a different route beginning June 7, running along N. 64th St. to W. Custer Ave., then east along Custer to N. 60th St., where it will return to the normal route along 60th St. The BlueLine stops at 64th and W. Villard Ave. and 60th and Villard won’t be served under the route change.

Route 66: Service running along the E. Locust St. Bridge and through the UW-Milwaukee campus will be maintained through the summer.