Milwaukee County Transit System

Would You Like to Donate to County Government?

County working on plan to create public donation portal.

What’s In the 44 Footnotes Added to Milwaukee’s Budget?

Record number of footnotes reveal what council members are thinking. And who's the new prolific author?

Wisconsin Is Experiencing a Surge in Wheel Taxes

Without other options, local governments increasingly turn to the option for funding.

Crowley Signs $1.3 Billion Budget Without Vetoes

Amended budget restores some funding, but likely hikes future budget deficits.

Board Adopts 2026 Budget, Reduces Size of MCTS Cut

Supervisors manage to restore some cuts, but transit and human services are hard hit in 2026 budget.

Supervisor Sequanna Taylor Highlights Key Co-Sponsorships in 2026 Milwaukee County Budget

Supervisors Use Parliamentary Moves To Save MCTS

But proposal might only make budget deficit larger in 2027.

Supervisors Trying To Reverse Crowley’s Budget Cuts

Procedural move would provide board with revenue to craft amendment.

Will County Hike Wheel Tax to Fund Buses?

Facing deep transit cuts, some supervisors consider raising 'extremely unpopular tax.'

County Can’t Afford Disaster Recovery

County officials were already cutting the 2026 budget when feds denied disaster aid.

Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson Hosts 4th Annual Sherman Park Harvest Fest and County Budget Booth

Community Event with “Wicked” Fun Activities and Connections to County Services and Information

Supervisor Pushes Fare Evasion Plan, Tangles With Sheriff

Supervisor proposes funding come from with Sheriff's Office.

Rep. Steil Wants to Ban Free Bus Rides

Republican Congressman targets MCTS with bill banning 'universal fare free.' MCTS says it has no such policy.

Bus Cuts Leave Some Riders Stranded

Blind transit riders losing access to work, seeing quality of life diminished.

Milwaukee County Budget Mostly Avoids Big Cuts, But Difficult Budgets Are Back

Recent state budget actions helped, but transit, capital projects still face structural headwinds.

Report Says Bad Times Just Beginning For Milwaukee County

A report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum says budget cuts in 2026 likely to continue in successive years.

MCTS Plans 15% Service Cut

Budget issues yield more frequency reductions, elimination of same-day paratransit service.

Emails Reveal MCTS Officials Concealed Budget Deficit From Comptroller, County Board

MCTS planned to keep elected officials in the dark about its finances.

Supervisors O’Connor, Gómez-Tom, Bielinski, and Martinez – County Residents Should Not Be Asked to Pay More, Get Less

Recommended Budget needs some work. Supervisors call for public input on non-negotiables in the 2026 Budget.

6 Bus Routes That Could Disappear in 2026

MCTS planning route cuts and modifications as it faces large annual operating deficits.

Crowley’s Budget Proposal Includes Service Cuts and Big Infrastructure Spending

Recommended budget pares back spending in certain areas, increases taxes to close $46.7 million deficit.

MCTS Reaches New Labor Agreement With Union

Three-year agreement avoids union-authorized strike.

MCTS Announces New Three-Year Agreement With ATU Local 998

Corporate Mergers Cost Taxpayers

Security company mergers leave county with nowhere to turn.

Rep. Steil Calls For Greater Federal Oversight of MCTS

Congressman points to fare evasion, but hasn't contacted county officials.

MCTS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month With Bus Wrap

New Hispanic Heritage bus went into service Monday.

Sup. Wassermann Drops Christmas Bus Plan

After receiving opposition to his plan to suspend bus service on the holiday.

See Inside a Wisconsin Air National Guard Mission Before Weekend Open House

Open house being held Saturday and Sunday allows public to 'pet a jet.'

Wasserman Withdraws Resolution Cutting Christmas Day Bus Service

Cites riders’ stories, urges State to provide tools to adequately fund public transit

Wasserman Resolution Calls for Giving Mcts Workers Christmas Day Off

Proposal to align service with low ridership could save MCTS over $100,000

Bus System Fare Evasion Plan Gets Chilly Reception

'It doesn't seem like anybody is coming to save the bus.'

MCTS Wins Grants For New Buses

$8 million in federal-state funds will also pay for traffic signal optimization projects on two key streets.

How A Milwaukee Mom Met The Man Who Killed Her Son

Debra Gillispie has spent two decades advocating to end gun violence, uplifting survivors’ stories.

MCTS Releases Fare Evasion Prevention Plan

Nearly 50% of Connect 1 riders aren't paying the fare, according to transit system.

MCTS Didn’t Report Deficit to County Board For Two Months

Crowley administration denies it was informed. Transit system now plans cuts.

MCTS to Make Major Changes, Cuts in Bus Service

How many of the system's 46 routes will have service hours or route altered?

MCTS Labor Negotiations Extended

Current contract extended, creating more time to negotiate new deal. Union voted down recent offer.

MCTS Electric Buses Still Have Battery Problems

MCTS dealing with another battery recall for its electric buses.

Board Backs Plan to Target Bus Riders Who Don’t Pay

MCTS asked to develop policies to reduce fare evasion without causing conflicts.

County Gets Serious About Buying New Buses

New budget structure aims to avoid delays, as need for 150 new buses looms.

Data Shows Impact of Milwaukee’s Traffic Calming Projects

Huge reductions in speeding for some projects, less impact for others.

City of Milwaukee Health Department Urges Caution During Extreme Heat Watch

Transit Union Rejects MCTS Contract Proposal

MCTS offers one-year contract. Two sides differ on security, overtime provisions.

MCTS Budget Deficit Bigger Than Previously Reported

Planned service cuts will only get the deficit to $10.9 million.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Announces $21 Million Federal Grant for PurpleLine Transit Corridor Improvements

MCTS Hires Outsider As New Leader

Beleaguered transit system just saw its third director in three years depart.

Steve Fuentes Named New MCTS President And CEO

Grocery Store Opens in Former Walgreens

Southside building now home to Supermercado La Hacienda.

Who Will Lead MCTS?

Have recent resignations affected the search for a new CEO?

MCTS Won’t Solve Budget Woes By Making Service Worse

Proposed service cuts are symptom of larger problem for county bus system.

Transit Union Gives Leader Strike Authority

MCTS is facing a budget deficit, political blowback and, now, labor unrest.

MCTS Will Fix Budget With Federal Funds

Which means it will hit fiscal cliff in 2026. Transit officials grilled about budget hole.

Budget Deficit Fallout Grows, Head of MCTS Resigns

Transit system CEO is second official to resign since surprise deficit announcement.

Transit Union Will Call Strike Vote

Union blindsided by budget deficit while negotiating next three-year contract.

Due To Deficit, MCTS Considering Hiring Freeze

But that could make it more difficult to deliver scheduled service of buses.

Facing Transit Deficit, Supervisors Target Free Riders

Big problem with cheaters. MCTS data suggests one in four riders evade payment.

County Transportation Director Resigns

Donna Brown-Martin resigns after shocking MCTS budget deficit revealed.

After Shocking Budget Shortfall, County Orders Up MCTS Audit

County executive, board and comptroller all caught off guard by $11 million deficit.

Milwaukee Officials Urge Caution During Extreme Heat Warning

County Supervisors Blindsided by MCTS Cuts

Supervisors balk at lack of financial transparency from county transit system.

MCTS Announces Service Cuts

Budget shortfall forcing it to reduce bus frequency along some high frequency routes.

Milwaukee County Transit System to Address Budget Deficit Through Service Reduction

Pedal, Ride, Drive, or Hop Convenient Transportation Options to Get to Summerfest

City Subsidy Would Boost Conversion of Former MPS School To Apartments

Developers hope to create 48 units of housing on three-acre property.

Trial Underway In Killing of Sade Robinson

Maxwell Anderson charged with first-degree homicide and mutilating a corpse.

MCTS Finalizes New Route Changes

MOVE 2025 planning process for bus routes complete. Plan goes to County Board in June.

MOVE 2025 Enters Phase 3 with Recommended Plan to Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors

Changes to 20 Routes Reflect Rider and Operator Feedback

Negotiations Break Down Between MCTS, Union

Transit union says MCTS not negotiating in good faith.

County Plans to Slash Budget in 2026

Officials outline ways to close the $46.7 million budget deficit projected for 2026.

How to Get to Summerfest 2025 Using Public Transit

Go by bus or by train or by bike.

How Should MCTS Spend $35,000?

Bus drivers union at odds with transit system over safety.

MCTS and Summerfest Announce Transit Options for 2025 Festival

Duffy Threatens Local Transportation Agencies Over DEI, Immigration

U.S. Transportation secretary warns: obey or lose federal funds.

Big Truck Day returns to Downtown Milwaukee on Saturday, May 17

New MCTS Apprenticeship Program Seeks Stronger Workforce

Inaugural program aims to better train and retain bus drivers and mechanics.

MCTS Opens Applications for Summer Transit Teen Advocate Program

Milwaukee Teens Encouraged to Apply for Summer Leadership Experience

Milwaukee Protests Target Deportations, Democratic Leaders

Highway bridges all over town on Saturday became protests of Trump's policies.

Supervisors Nix Uber Rides for Bus Drivers

Funding will instead go toward an MCTS van program to pick up drivers getting off bus mid-route.

Brady Street Sandwich Shop For Sale

"Expand as a franchisor—without the burden of franchise fees," by buying Megawich.

A Note of Thanks

Statement of Alderman Peter Burgelis

MCTS Lacks Cash To Pay For Uber Rides For Bus Drivers

Program to pick up drivers at various points around the city would last less than two months.

MCTS Wants More Feedback On New Route Designs

Bus system begins phase two of MOVE 2025, a public-influenced planning effort.

MCTS Celebrates 50 Year Anniversary With New Buses

New buses come with a new design riffing on familiar Milwaukee icons.

Could Milwaukee Create a Regional Transit Authority?

Governor Evers creates pathway in biennial budget proposal.

County Faces $47 Million 2026 Budget Deficit

Comptroller report shows county short of solutions to chronic structural deficit.

Should County Create New Bus Fund?

Potential policy would prioritize funding for buses. County supervisors will decide.

MCTS Expands Same-Day Paratransit Service

County transit system relaxes restrictions for on-demand paratransit service.

Transit Plus Expands Pilot Service for Last-Minute Rides

Evers Budget Good For Transit

Governor's proposals include new funding and potential grants for financially hurting MCTS.

County Rejoins Joint Climate Committee

City-County committee will oversee implementation of climate and economic equity plan.

Streetcar Workers Unionize

The Hop's workers approve union with ATU Local 998, which also represents MCTS workers.

MCTS Driver Charged With Homicide for Hitting, Killing Pedestrian

Montrell Pharm faces negligent homicide charge for fatal Christmas day crash.

Trump Administration Slashes Popular Transportation Grant Program by 90%, Imperiling Milwaukee Funding

Program previously funded several Milwaukee projects, including bridge repair, streets and streetcar extension.

Trump Freezes Federal Spending Critical to Milwaukee Projects

His executive order could kill spending for major projects by city, county and airport.

Winners of 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Contests Announced, Will Be Celebrated at Free Citywide Celebration

Free event on Monday, January 20, to honor student contest winners and social justice advocates Eddie and Mary Sue Short

MCTS Eyes PurpleLine Upgrades After Connect 2 Demise

Will pursue federal grant for new shelters, signalization and pedestrian safety.

Milwaukee County Transit System Deputy Director Julie Esch Named Interim Managing Director