Milwaukee County Transit System

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

Milwaukee County Transit System Begins Collecting Rider Feedback to Shape 2025 Routes

2024 Wrap: County Executive David Crowley Reflects on 2024 Accomplishments

Don’t Drink and Drive, Take the Bus

All MCTS buses are free beginning 8 p.m. on New Years Eve thanks to Molson Coors.

The Salvation Army to provide Christmas Day Meal in Milwaukee

Christmas Family Feast is free, open to the public

MCTS Launches New Planning Process For Route Changes

MOVE 25 will give riders the chance to weigh in on 32 proposed changes.

Meet The New MCTS Transit Security Team

Following federal directive, MCTS makes changes to security.

MCTS Hosts Career Fair on December 11

Over One Hundred Positions Will Be Available Throughout 2025

County Opens Employee Wellness Clinics

Hoping for long-term savings as county employees get preventive health care at workplace clinics.

More Funding Needed To Advance School-to-Apartments Conversion

Former Carleton School redevelopment at 41st and Silver Spring first proposed in 2019.

Bus Riders Still Save More with WisGo Despite First Fare Change in 5 Years

County Executive Crowley, Chairwoman Nicholson Approve 2025 County Budget

The 2025 Adopted Budget continues track record of fiscal responsibility and sound decision making

MCTS Tries New Tactics To Improve Safety for Operators

Providing rides for bus operators back to the station after they end their shift.

Board Quickly Adopts 2025 Budget

Board makes few changes to county executive's recommended budget. Adds Domes plan and funding for eviction representation.

Winter Brings End To Construction Detours for MCTS

With construction season ending riders will see four routes return to normal.

MCTS Winter Bus Schedule Starts December 1, 2024

The winter schedule includes timetable updates

Lime, Bublr Will Be Free on Election Day

Lyft and Uber are also offering discounted rides. But not MCTS.

Milwaukee Planning Innovative Fire Repair Shop, Suburbs Could Join

Milwaukee is at a 'blinking red light hazard zone' with its current facility.

MCTS Will Hire Its Own Personnel For Security

Bus system has long relied a private contractor.

MCTS Plans 2025 Fare Increase

Transit system raising the daily, weekly and monthly caps.

County Budget a ‘Pleasant Surprise’, But Future Looks Rough

Annual Wisconsin Policy Forum analysis reveals county faces difficult decisions in future.

Act 12 Benefits Continue in 2025, But Fiscal Challenges Loom for Milwaukee County

Annual budget brief finds the county’s brief era of largely pain-free budgets likely to be short-lived

WisDOT announces park and ride closures due to safety and security issues

State and county partnership helped more than 80 individuals find reliable housing

Denise Wandke Out at MCTS, Says She Will Return

MCTS managing director takes 'unexpected leave' and goes camping?

Crowley Budgets $26 Million For New Buses

If approved, county would employ federal funding to help purchase 40 new buses.

Design Concepts Revealed For Downtown Sculpture Honoring Vel Phillips

Public will be able to sit in a bronze version of Phillips' desk, contemplate her legacy.

Board Spikes Chair’s Plan For Reduced Bus Fares For Voting

Wide-ranging concerns raised about Marcelia Nicholson's proposal.

Crowley’s 2025 Budget Avoids Service Cuts

With a 2.8% property tax hike and more funding for Sheriff's office, CRC and court security.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Presents 2025 Recommended Budget to Milwaukee County Board

County Executive Crowley’s budget continues track record of fiscal responsibility and sound decision making

New On-Demand Paratransit Service is Working

New program starts small, but is well received, according to MCTS and riders.

FTA Requiring MCTS, Others To Search For Threats To Transit Workers

Federal agency wants transit systems to assess and fix threats to transit workers.

New BRT Project Gone For a Decade

Connect 2 dead for 10 years or more. 'This has to be clearly stated for the record.'

BRT project pause gives us pause

Joint statement from Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa and Alderman Robert J. Bauman

County Gets Federal Funding For Buses, Roads

$29 million to help county to improve road safety, replace 13 aging buses.

Milwaukee County Awarded Nearly $29 Million for Road Improvements and New Buses

Federal funding received by Milwaukee County comes from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law