MCTS Wins Grant to Optimize Downtown Transit Service, Upgrade Fleet, and Provide Bus Rider Education
MILWAUKEE – On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced nearly $8 million in grant funding awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to help enhance transit services in Milwaukee County. The funding, awarded through the 2025-28 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Supplemental Cycle, will support three projects:
- MCTS Replacement Buses
- Traffic Signal Optimization
- MCTS Public Outreach Campaign to Increase Ridership
“Investments in public transportation are needed now more than ever in Milwaukee County. I want to thank the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for delivering this funding that will support Wisconsin’s largest transit system,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “The ability to upgrade our fleet, optimize travel times, and educate new riders is crucial to growing our local economy by getting people to work, school, and medical appointments. I look forward to ensuring these investments will enhance public transit services for Milwaukee County residents and families.”
$5,800,000 in funding will support MCDOT plans to purchase GILLIG clean diesel buses to replace buses that are at the end of their useful life. Once deployed, the new buses will help maximize taxpayer investments by reducing fuel usage up to 40%, compared to regular diesel buses. The engines in the new buses will have the latest generation emissions control systems to facilitate Milwaukee County’s policy of providing clean air and quieter operational benefits to the citizens and neighborhoods in which MCTS operates the transit fleet. The new buses will feature upgraded amenities for both passengers and operators, including video monitors at the front of the bus, plastic seating replacing older fabric seats, and a security monitor that gives riders a full view of the bus interior. Operators will also experience an upgraded cockpit with a streamlined digital dash.
Traffic Signal Optimization
$1,102,400 in funding will be available to improve downtown Milwaukee transit reliability and reduce transit wait times through traffic signal optimization. 24 downtown Milwaukee intersections could be optimized along N. Water Street and N. 6th Street. The bus lines that travel these corridors connect communities to major destinations, including thousands of jobs.
Public Outreach
$1,000,000 in funding would be directed to provide public outreach to demographic groups most likely to rely on public transit, including people living in disadvantaged neighborhoods; seniors who are seeking to age in place; veterans, non-drivers, and others who can’t afford to drive due to a disability; and students. Accessibility initiatives, with an emphasis on education, would focus on making sure these target audiences, and the general public, have the most current information about how to ride the bus, use the system, and help improve traffic congestion and reduce the environmental impact from driving a car.
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program is a federally funded program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to fund transportation projects that reduce emissions of criteria pollutants and help to improve air quality in areas identified as nonattainment or maintenance areas. It includes efforts to enhance public transit, bicycle/pedestrian facilities, ridesharing programs and facilities, and technologies that improve traffic flow and vehicle emissions.
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.
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