Milwaukee County Transit System
Press Release

MCTS Will Begin Handing Out Free Transit Passes for Eligible Seniors or Persons With Disabilities on March 31st

The free pass can be used immediately.

By - Mar 27th, 2015 09:22 am

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) will begin handing out the free transit pass, known as the GO Pass, to eligible riders on March 31st. The pass, which was mandated by the County Board of Supervisors, allows all Milwaukee County residents 65 and older unlimited free rides on MCTS buses. The free pass will also be available for residents with disabilities who meet certain requirements*. Both groups are currently allowed to ride on the bus for half fare.

MCTS will process applications and hand out the free passes at the MCTS Administration Building (1942 N. 17th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53205) between the hours of 9am and 2pm, Monday thru Friday (the pass will NOT be handed out on Friday, April 3rd). The free pass can be used immediately. Users must have the pass to receive the free rides.

Anyone coming to get the pass is encouraged to fill out a GO Pass application in advance. Applications can be printed out and downloaded at RideMCTS.com.

–Applicants should be prepared for possible long lines and wait times–

There are four ways MCTS will confirm eligibility in the program, only one of the four is required:

  • Present a government issued picture ID card that includes age (65 and over) and proves residency in Milwaukee County.
  • Present a copy of a Medicare card and a government issued picture ID that proves residency in Milwaukee County.
  • Present a doctor’s statement describing the nature of your disability on professional letterhead or prescription form AND present a government issued picture ID card that proves residency in Milwaukee County. You must have your treating physician or a Wisconsin Medical Licensed health care provider complete and sign the second page of the application.
  • Present an existing MCTS issued Reduced Fare card and proof of residency in Milwaukee County.

Beginning in May, MCTS will also offer alternative community locations to complete the application process and to receive the pass. That information will be listed on RideMCTS.com once it’s finalized.

For other questions please visit RideMCTS.com or call (414) 343-1700.

A full listing of eligibility requirements for persons with disabilities is available on the application.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

Mentioned in This Press Release

Comments

  1. Gary says:

    Good move. My grandmother (1893-1986) used the term “car fare” when referring to bus fare, for context.
    She was one of a group of old ladies (probably men too) that were encouraged to use the dining rooms of Milwaukee’s downtown hotels and department stores to play cards, primarily Sheep’s Head. Her haunts were the long gone Plankinton House Hotel dining room and Gimbels upstairs dining room (not “Tasty Town”).
    One of her reminiscence to me was how some of these card sharks would jump up shortly before 3:00, toss a nickel on the table to cover the tip, and rush to the bus stop so they wouldn’t miss the change in “carfare” for the elderly.
    Maybe MCTS could sponsor “roving” card tournaments at different locations in Milwaukee County: malls, State Fair Park, Plankinton Arcade, etc.
    I’m just saying.

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