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

MILWAUKEE (November 18, 2024) — Riders who use WisGo to pay their fare on Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) buses will see an increase in the amount needed to reach free rides. This is the first time MCTS fares have been adjusted since 2019. The new fare cap means that someone who rides the bus to and from work each day or to a Bucks game, won’t see a change. Someone who rides three times in the same day will pay slightly more with the new fare cap increase. WisGo prices are still lower than cash fares. Single ride fares do not change.

Fare capping, the amount needed to reach the free ride limit, enables riders to save money the more they ride. To benefit from fare capping, riders who use WisGo cards or the Umo app get discounted rides without having to pre-purchase passes. The fare cap will increase for the day, week, and month. Single WisGo ride prices ($2) will not change and still include a free 90-minute transfer. The new fare capping limits start January 1, 2025.

The fare cap limits will increase as follows in the new year:

Adult Regular Fare Caps
For riders ages 12 – 64

• Daily from $4 to $5
• Weekly from $19.50 to $20
• Monthly from $72 to $75 for full fare rides

Reduced Fare Caps
For riders 65+ & ages 6-11 or with a qualifying disability

• Daily from $2 to $2.50
• Weekly will remain at $11
• Monthly from $32 to $37.50

Cash fares remain the same at $2 per ride and do not include a free transfer.

MCTS Deputy Director Julie Esch said, “Our commitment is to keep the cost of riding the bus as low as possible. That’s why we haven’t changed fares since 2019. The fare cap increase will bring more revenue to MCTS, to help us offset gas price increases and higher bus maintenance costs.”

Here’s what riders need to know about the new fare cap limits and when their free rides kick in with WisGo.

Adult Full Fare	Now	2025	Difference
Single Ride	$2	$2	No change
Daily Cap	$4	$5	The third ride is discounted and the fourth ride each day is free
Weekly Cap	$19.50	$20	An increase of 50 cents to reach free rides
Monthly Cap	$72	$75	An increase of $3 to reach free rides each month

 

Adult Reduced Fare	Now	2025	Difference
Single Ride	$1	$1	No change
Daily Fare Cap	$2	$2.50	The third ride is discounted and the fourth ride each day is free
Weekly Fare Cap	$11	$11	No change
Monthly Fare Cap	$32	$37.50	An increase of $5.50 to reach free rides each month

 

Cash Fare	Now	2025	Difference
Single Ride	$2	$2	No change

Esch added, “We introduced fare capping last year to make riding the bus more equitable, and it’s been a big success. Riders enjoy not having to prepay for burdensome passes. WisGo does the math for everyone and automatically charges the lowest price based on the number of times they ride. It’s been a positive experience for our riders.”

For more information about WisGo, the regional fare collection system, please visit RideMCTS.com.

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.