Milwaukee County Transit System

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

Chief Judge, Sheriff At Odds On Bailiff Staffing

MCSO ends mandatory overtime in circuit courts, which threatens safety, Chief Judge says.

Despite Low Offer, MCTS Loses Bid To Run Waukesha Bus System

Waukesha favors experience of existing operator Transdev.

Canceled BRT Project Saves MCTS Budget Until 2028

Shelving project reduces operational costs, helps MCTS stay solvent.

Paratransit Taxis Launching Next Week

New service has wheelchair-accessible vehicles for persons with disabilities.

It’s MCTS Vs. TransDev for Waukesha Metro Contract

MCTS competing against its troubled paratransit contractor for transit system contract in Waukesha.

MCTS Halting Plans for Second Bus Rapid Transit Route

Citing fiscal concerns, transit officials plan to ask county board to pause rapid transit project.

MCTS Announces Route Changes for Fall 2024

Changes reflect the start of the school year and the end of a major city road project.

First Key Vote On Zoning Overhaul Scheduled For Monday

Is Growing MKE good to go or dead on arrival? City Plan Commission gets first say.

Limited Funding Pushes Up Fares for New Paratransit Taxis

Fares will likely start at $12 one-way for on-demand service replacing former paratransit taxi program.

MCTS Adds 28 New Buses

But it's still not enough for the system's aging fleet.

RNC Will Cause Some County Services To Be Moved to Wauwatosa

Milwaukee County launches webpage to detail what office is going where.

MCTS Designing New Bus Shelters

First 25 bus shelters -- of some 600 total -- will be installed next year.

Milwaukee County Updates Website Providing Public Information for Residents During Republican National Convention

Residents are encouraged to visit county.milwaukee.gov/RNC2024 to stay informed about Milwaukee County operational impacts during the RNC

MCTS Updates RNC Bus Detours To Better Serve Downtown, Riders

The initial plan left a 1.4-mile gap between stops on many routes.

Bus Ads Will Blast Trump, Promote Biden During Republican Convention

57 MCTS buses will become rolling billboards for Democratic ads during the RNC.

Paratransit Taxis Could Return in September

MCTS officials believe they have found new taxi provider for persons with disabilities.

MCTS Bids To Run Waukesha Buses

Milwaukee transit officials make first major play for a regional transit system.

Vel Phillips Plaza Opens To Great Fanfare

Downtown's new "front door" honors civil rights pioneer, trailblazer.

See Detailed RNC Street Closures, Demonstration Zones

'The city of Milwaukee is open for busines,' but you're going to want to plan ahead to come Downtown.

How To Get To Summerfest 2024

Spoiler alert: Don't expect to drive to the front door without spending $40.

MCTS Unveils Juneteenth Bus

Bus wrapped in murals by two local artists celebrating Juneteenth Day.

Should MCTS Take Over Operation of The Hop, Other Transit Systems?

MCTS officials are considering bidding to operate the systems as a move to create a regional transit authority and financial security.

Riders Decry County’s Paratransit Service

Transit service for persons with disabilities has never been worse, more inefficient or unreliable, users say.

MCTS Launches Real-Time Transit App for Riders With Disabilities

Reliability and timing of vans have long been an issue for paratransit riders.

Scooters Return To Milwaukee’s Streets, This Time Permanently

Lime and Spin allowed to bring their scooters back under permanent regulatory framework.

MCTS Announces Summer Bus Service Changes

Connect 1 will begin running to lakefront and 10 lines will increase or reduce frequency.

MCTS Expands Summerfest Service

MCTS will run three park-and-ride shuttles to and from Summerfest this year.

Paratransit Taxis Could Return This Year

A task force has outlined a new, scaled-back taxi program the county could implement this year.

Two Deadly Crashes Hit Buses in 48 Hours

$2 million worth of MCTS buses were totaled by reckless drivers in just two days last week.

‘Enough is Enough’ Crowley Says, After 100 MPH Driver Smashes Into Bus

Following deadly crash, county officials call for community responsibility, more tools and funding to address reckless driving.

Off-Board Fare Collection Begins on Connect 1

Transit system adds final piece to its east-west bus rapid transit route.

Streetcar Begins Daily Service To The Couture, BRT Will Soon Follow

Long-awaited milestone restores transit service to lakefront. Officials herald it as future of transit.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Reflects on First Term Successes

During his first term, County Executive Crowley delivered investments, initiatives, and policies to advance racial equity in Milwaukee County

Board Approves Insulin Price-Fixing Lawsuit

Plus: County will do business with historic bank, a new bus replacement policy and new housing-related projects are approved.

County’s Paratransit Service Shows Improvement

French company hired by MCTS to transport people with disabilities has improved service.

8 Takeaways From Crowley’s State of the County Speech

And a new slogan: 'What’s good for Milwaukee County is good for the entire state.'

County Executive David Crowley Successfully Advocates for New Federal Funding in Milwaukee County

President Biden signs federal appropriations legislation that will deploy investments in Milwaukee County for affordable housing, transit, and parks

County Budget Woes Expected To Return Next Year

Despite new sales tax, county likely to have to cut positions and programs.

Scooters Could Net Milwaukee $400,000 Per Year

And city is working to end its annual hemming-and-hawing process.

Connect 1 Fare Collection Begins in April

Transit system finally receives fare validators for the east-west bus rapid transit route.

County Getting $4 Million Federal Funding for Transit, Parks

Return of federal earmarks, advocacy by Rep. Moore and Sen. Baldwin delivers for county.

Make Your Opinion Known On Second BRT Line

MCTS wants more public input before it begins detailed planning of the route.

County Partnering With Froedtert on Employee Health Clinics

County aims to use federal funds to create clinics designed to save money in future years.

Cavalier Johnson Is All In On Growing Milwaukee

Annual State of the City speech places growth plan front and center.

Miller Lite Free Rides Return for St. Patrick’s Day

Molson-Coors sponsoring free rides on MCTS buses Saturday, March 16.

Registration opens March 4 for MPS Summer Academy

Summer Classes and Activities to Inspire Learning Take Place in June and July at Select Schools around Milwaukee

Transit Officials Done With Battery Electric Buses

Officials want to stick with clean-diesel until technology, market conditions improve.

MCTS Seeking Board Approval For 27th Street BRT Line

And unlike east-west line, Connect 2 wouldn't use battery electric buses.

Route 30 Will Return To Downer Avenue in March

Direct access to Downtown was cut amidst the launch of Connect 1 BRT line.

Milwaukee Leaders Want State To Allow Red Light Cameras

Mayor Johnson, County Executive Crowley say cameras are proven tool for addressing reckless driving.

What’s Happening With Second BRT Project?

MCTS will host public meetings as it seeks federal funds for 27th Street BRT.

How Do You Calculate a Project’s Climate Impact?

County government has developed a formula to evaluate that for infrastructure projects.

Meet the 2024 Rosa Parks Scholarship Winners

Three Milwaukee area high school students earn $1,000 each.

MCTS Still Not Using All Its Electric Buses

MCTS only operating five out of 11 BEBs on a daily basis.

Former Bus-Streetcar Facility To House Custom Shipping Container Company

Containers Up buying former MCTS facility from Milwaukee County.

Construction on New Kohl Park Trail Planned for Spring

2.6 mile trail will run through park and connect to Oak Leaf Trail.

Winners of 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Contests Announced, Will Be Celebrated at Free Citywide Celebration

Milestone 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration will celebrate winners at free event on Monday, January 15

10 Most Popular MCTS Routes in 2023

Top route had 7,300 rides per day. Future BRT corridors rank among most popular.

Free Bus Rides On New Year’s Eve

For 35th year, Molson Coors is sponsoring free bus rides on all MCTS routes.

MCTS Ridership Grows in 2023, Still Far Behind Pre-Pandemic Numbers

Transit system making year over years gains, but still hovering near half of 2019 ridership.

A Historic Year in Milwaukee County

A host of changes bodes well for Milwaukee's future, says county exec David Crowley.

Milwaukee Plans Big 2024 Early Voting Push

City will have at least nine early voting sites, including some new and expanded ones.

Crowley Backs More Suburban Affordable Housing

Allocating $6.6 million for projects in Whitefish Bay, South Milwaukee and Brown Deer.

Justin Bielinski Running For Open Seat On County Board

Bielinski running for West Allis-centric seat being vacated by Sup. Tony Staskunas.

27th Street Rapid Bus Route Would Launch In 2028

MCTS working to enter federal grant process to develop second bus rapid transit line.

MCTS Announces 8th Annual Rosa Parks Scholarship

Transit system will also honor Parks and others with a reserved seat on buses Dec. 1-3.

New Bus Route Changes Begin Dec. 3

Some MCTS rides will increase frequency, modify their route or add trips starting next week.

Connect 1 Ridership Continues to Grow

Ridership up 25% since the new bus rapid transit service launched in June.

‘Stuff the Bus’ With Thanksgiving Meal Donations Wednesday

Annual food drive a partnership of Feeding America, MCTS, Pick 'n Save.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Approves 2024 Adopted Budget

Crowley signs the budget as passed by the County Board of Supervisors to enhance services and invest in Milwaukee County

Supervisor Coggs-Jones to Host Transit and Paratransit Leaders at Upcoming Listen & Learn Session

Milwaukee’s Three Streetcar Extensions Need Mayoral Direction

Extensions to Fiserv Forum, East Side, Walker's Point and Bronzeville need local funding source.

Is It the End of Battery Electric Buses for Milwaukee?

Top transit officials say there are currently no reliable manufacturers in U.S. market.

Bus Service Between Downer and Downtown Could Return

Service along former GoldLine route could be restored in 2024.

Crowley, Transit Officials Oppose ‘Transit Rangers’ Backed By Drivers

Board fails to get administration buy-in for transit rangers, pitting union against Crowley and MCTS.

Board Plans Lobbying Push for Transit Funding

The county needs state assistance to save transit system from big cuts.

The Battle Over Transit Security

MCTS and supervisors at odds over how to improve security, protect bus drivers.

30 New MCTS Buses Included In 2024 Budget

But Milwaukee County still has fewer buses than it did pre-pandemic.

County Sales Tax Creating Financial Stability Study Says

But the $1 billion infrastructure backlog remains a major financial challenge for the county.

Paratransit Recovering From Recent Failures, Officials Say

But one in 10 buses still more than a half hour late.

Crowley’s 2024 Budget Departs From Decades of Cuts

Thanks to new sales tax and state revenue, property taxes go down and money for county services go up.