MCTS Upgrades Mobile App to Make it Easier for Riders to Plan, Track and Ride the Bus

MILWAUKEE (April 19, 2022) — The first step in the journey toward Milwaukee County Transit System’s (MCTS) new fare collection system starts today with the switch to a new mobile app. Riders can download the Umo App™ and select the Milwaukee metro area to find WisGo and take advantage of Southeastern Wisconsin’s newest way to plan, track and pay for a ride all in one place.

The new app moves Milwaukee County closer to achieving a better, simpler, and more equitable rider experience come fall, when the modern fare collection system goes live. In addition, WisGo, powered by Umo, will connect MCTS riders to not only its bus services but to other forms of travel across Wisconsin, such as The Hop, Bublr Bikes, as well as all transit systems that use Umo in the future.

Riders can get WisGo when they download the Umo App in the App Store or Google Play and enter in “Milwaukee” as their location. Umo replaces the previous RideMCTS app which will expire on April 29.

MCTS is the first to launch WisGo powered by Umo in Wisconsin. “The app experience is much better for riders, so we are providing it now to ease the transition to the entire fare collection system happening later this year. Our vision is that WisGo has the potential to increase access for all riders to transportation options across the state,” said Kristina Hoffman, MCTS director of marketing and communications.

Two fare changes come with the new app. First, riders may purchase a 105-minute fare for $2 or a 24-hour fare for $5. Transfers are automatically included. Second, both fare types are time-based, so the clock begins to countdown the instant you purchase a fare. Riders are encouraged to purchase fares only when they are ready to travel. Downloading the app will not impact any other modes of payment such as M•CARDs, U-Passes, Commuter Values Passes, or cash.

Current and new app users can ride the bus in 3 easy steps as shown in this video:

1. Plan Your Trip
   Simply download the app, create an account, and register your mobile device.
2. Track Your Bus
   Find out where your ride is and when it’s scheduled to arrive.
3. Pay Your Fare
   Purchase your fare through WisGo in the Umo App™, show your code screen when you board the bus, and go. And there’s no need to worry about transfers – your ride is good wherever you ride for 105 minutes on a $2 fare, or all-day-unlimited on a $5 fare.

Community Education is the Next Step in the Journey Toward New Fare Collection System
The rest of the new fare collection system launches in the fall. MCTS will begin educating riders about how the account-based system works and introduce other rider-friendly features before then. To stay informed, riders can subscribe to Rider Insider, any of our social media channels, or by visiting RideMCTS.com/Community to check out MCTS’s Community calendar of upcoming events and educational sessions as they are scheduled.

For more information about WisGo powered by Umo, visit RideMCTS.com/WisGo.

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.