Dan Boehm

Union Pushes MCTS To Diversify Management

Union leaders say they've seen progress, but challenge MCTS to do more.

Denise Wandke Is New Head of MCTS

Former bus driver has risen through ranks to lead Milwaukee County Transit System.

MCTS Buses Could Again Serve Summerfest, But Issues Remain

And even if they do, it would be in a much-diminished capacity.

Dan Boehm Out at MCTS

County bus system leader since 2014 faced employee allegations of verbal abuse and retaliation.

Summerfest To Provide Shuttle Service

Private service will be twice as expensive and provide fewer stops than now cancelled public option.

Goodbye to Freeway Flyers, Festival Service?

Fiscal crisis, labor shortage could mean a permanent end for these transit services.

No Good Options For County Transit

Facing huge shortfall, MCTS can only balance budget with harmful or unpopular changes, report finds.

MCTS Missed 7,487 Service Hours in 2021

Staff shortage stressing bus system, problem of unmet service hours continuing in 2022.

Freeway Flyer Buses Suspended Indefinitely

County transit system announces suspension will continue, with no date for their return.

County Transit Updating Fare System

New system provides more ways to pay, with fare caps for riders.

BRT Construction On Schedule

Crews have poured concrete and run utility lines for a number of BRT platforms.

MCTS Targets Bus Driver Shortage

With bonuses, pay bumps, job fairs and better marketing, but still short of workers.

Amazon Route a Success, MCTS Reports

Route to Amazon MKE2 facility providing an average of 100 riders per day.

MCTS Struggles With Bus Driver Shortage

Situation causing turnover, stress and a loss of 2,400 hours of bus service so far in 2021.

Summerfest Bus Service Canceled

Downtown shuttle and park and rides are canceled for 2021.

Bus Rapid Transit Construction Beginning Soon

The Milwaukee County Transit System held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the long planned project.

County Running Out of CARES Act Funds

Report shows its entire $77 million allocation has been spent or will be claimed by costs already incurred.

BRT Secures Key $41 Million Grant

Federal grant to pay for 80% of county's Bus Rapid Transit project. Construction starts in spring.

County Expects Key BRT Grant Soon

Construction could begin by spring 2021.

County Shortens List of Acceptable Masks For Bus Riders, Zoo Patrons and Courthouse Visitors

There are new restrictions on what kind of masks are allowed within county facilities.

County Board Adopts Resolution Expanding Access to Polling Locations

County Would Run Bus To Amazon Facility

Bus route planned in 2019 finally gets county board committee support.

Why Did Bus Service Shutdown During Protests?

Reports of gunfire, reckless driving, looting and arson drove officials to suspend service.

Bus Passengers May Face Mask Mandate

County committee okays policy and full board likely to agree, could be in place August 1.

MCTS To Suspend Service Early Tonight

Transit Union Blasts MCTS Mask Policy

Transit system leadership is wary of trying to enforce a mask requirement for riding buses.

County Buses Will Collect Fares Again

Given county fiscal crisis MCTS needs revenue, will begin collecting fares again on June 1st

Free Bus Rides Start Saturday

Riders can use rear door eliminating interaction between drivers and passengers.

County Supervisors Push Free Bus Rides

Passengers could use side door, away from bus drivers, to protect them from getting virus.

Bus Rapid Transit Faces Delays, Higher Costs

Trump administration mismanagement of grant program costing county time and money.

Why the Bus Union Didn’t Strike

MCTS offer of back pay for workers, and weariness after 21 months bargaining, were key.

MCTS, ATU Local 998 Reach Agreement on New Contract

"The deal marks an end to negotiations that have been underway for 21 months."

Thursday Transit Strike Averted

Transit union will vote on contract offer from MCTS.

Revised Budget Saves More Transit

Board scrapes the barrel for funds to save bus routes, prevent various service cuts.

Transit Cuts Reduced By Abele

After questions raised, his revised 2020 budget finds more revenue for bus system.

Bus Union Authorizes a Strike

The union votes no on MCTS' final contract offer, gives leadership power to call strike.

‘MCTS Excellence’ Video Series Honored with Prestigious National Award

MCTS Excellence began in late 2016 as a video series posted on the company’s website and official social media accounts.

Abele’s Power Over County Transit Targeted

Proposal gives county supervisors and employees more power over county bus system.

MCTS Unveils 28 New Buses

Buses have improvements for riders, bus drivers and other road users. See our photos.

Should Sheriff Provide Security on Buses?

It would cost more and issue divides bus drivers and riders. No action taken on idea.

Group Pushes Higher Wheel Tax for Transit

Higher vehicle licensing fee pushed as County Transit System considers 10% budget cut.

Joblines Bus Will End After August

Funding for bus to Waukesha County jobs ending and Waukesha doesn't seem to care.

Transit System Plans 10% Service Cut

"Out of local funding options” says MCTS leader. Union pressed for benefit givebacks.

Bus Drivers Union Assails MCTS Leaders

"The fight is on," says union leader, as labor negotiations hit wall over health care coverage.

MCTS Brewers Line is a Home Run for Fans Heading to Miller Park

Adults pay only $2.00 with the Ride MCTS app and M•CARD or $2.25 cash each way. Kids 6 to 11 and seniors 65 and over are $1.10.

Bus Drivers’ Union Fights New Contract

Transit system cites $6 million deficit, wants workers to pay more for health care.

County May Study Security Officers for Buses

County committee unanimously approves study, will next go to full board.

County Panel Nixes Bus Fare Crackdown

Sebring wants enforcement against those who don’t pay fare. Committee defeats it on 3-2 vote.

City Chooses Streetcar Operator

French company Transdev will operate streetcar for $3.6 million a year.

Goodbye to MCTS Free Ride

County begins charging for controversial GO Pass program in June.

County Gets Waiver on Streetcar

Still in running to operate city's streetcar, but a long shot to win.

Milwaukee County Fixes GO Pass

Fees and new requirements for free ride program with huge cost overruns.

County Board Okays Bid for Streetcar

Despite long odds against winning, county will submit bid to the city.

Should County Operate Streetcar?

Board members push -- belatedly -- for county transit to operate streetcar.

MCTS Receives National Recognition for Outstanding Service

“I was treated with the utmost respect, and really enjoyed riding the city bus,” said national travel writer John Morris.

County to Lose $4 Million on GO Pass

Supervisor Alexander Supports Immediate Fix to Flawed Program

How to Destroy a Transit System

County board's free bus ride program triggers huge deficits that could overwhelm system.

Is Free Pass Bleeding County Transit?

Controversial free GO Pass for seniors and disabled costs millions, awaits new report.

Abele Faces Attack on Free Bus Rides

Though his challenger for county exec, Chris Larson, is undecided on issue, it could still impact the race.

Milwaukee Transit Workers Reject MCTS Proposal

The union has sent a letter to MCTS requesting they come back to the bargaining table to resume negotiations.

MCTS asks Union Members to Seriously Consider Contract Offer

The contract offer comes after months of meetings between MCTS, ATU and the Federal Mediator.

Thousands of People Use M•CARD Online in the First Week

The new online store is also getting plenty of attention.

15 Myths About The Bus Strike (and More)

Bus service continuing, but union president references more potential work stoppages. What else did he say?

MCTS Remains Committed to Avoiding a Strike

MCTS and ATU will meet again Tuesday.

MCTS Offers Contract Proposal to Drivers Who Have Threatened to Strike

The average MCTS bus driver will make more than $62,000 this year in salary and overtime.

MCTS Names Brendan Conway Chief Marketing and Communication Officer

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is proud to announce the hiring of Brendan Conway as its new Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

New Express Bus Routes Start in January

The good news: Three new express routes will move riders more quickly across the county. The bad: transit system running out of money.

Another Bad Transit Plan By County Board

Amendment slipped into budget has had no public review and could leave system $1 million short (or worse) by end of 2015.