Milwaukee County Transit System
 | |
 | |
| Founded | June 1, 1975 (48 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 1942 North 17th Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Service area | Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Waukesha counties |
| Service type | |
| Routes | 41 |
| Stops | 4,591 |
| Stations | 2 |
| Depots | Fond du Lac Operating Station Kinnickinnic Operating Station |
| Fleet | 360 buses |
| Daily ridership | 57,400 (weekdays, Q3 2023) |
| Annual ridership | 15,914,000 (2022) |
| Operator | Milwaukee Transport Services, Inc. |
| Chief executive | Denise Wandke |
| Website | www |
The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is the largest transit agency in Wisconsin, and is the primary transit provider for Milwaukee County. It ranks among the top 50 transit agencies in the United States for total passenger trips. Milwaukee Transport Services, Inc. is a quasi-governmental agency responsible for the management and operation of the Milwaukee County Transit System. Its bus fleet consists of 360 buses. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 15,914,000, or about 57,400 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2023.
History
Public transit operations began in Milwaukee during 1860. The service consisted of two horse drawn cars. On June 1, 1975, Milwaukee County took over the bus system and established the Milwaukee County Transit System after taking over the assets of the Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Company, a private operator.
In 2009, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle proposed a three-county Regional Transit Authority that would incorporate MCTS. The proposal faced opposition from some lawmakers and the Regional Transit Authority was never created.
In late 2013 into the early part of 2014, MCTS began debuting new technology onboard buses. This included introducing real-time bus information allowing passengers to track the exact location of buses, new fareboxes and an electronic fare system by virtue of a smart card (M•CARD), and a stop announcement system complete with visual and audio information. Clever Devices is the provider of the real-time bus information, stop annunciator system and the farebox terminal, whereas the new fareboxes were provided by Scheidt & Bachmann.
MCTS NEXT
In 2018, MCTS began a comprehensive study and overview of the entire fixed-route system and began the process of implementing a new system with faster service, more connections, and easier-to-understand routes. Multiple community meetings and forums were held to gather public input on the project. Prior to the project, only about 40% of the system was high-frequency routes, defined as routes on which buses come every 15 minutes. The consensus from the study was that riders wanted faster service and were willing to walk extra distance to bus stops. The public voted that the transit system would transition to a 60-40 model, meaning 60% of the routes would be high frequency. MCTS analyzed every bus stop in the system and removed some lightly used bus stops to speed up service. The system overhaul was implemented in 3 phases in 2021, with the first one beginning March 7. This phase involved Routes 15, 19, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 63, and the introduction of new routes 20 and 68. The second phase was implemented June 6, 2021, and involved changes to routes PurpleLine, 12, 14, 21, 53, 57 and 80, with new routes 11, 34, 58 and 88 being introduced. The final phase of the project, implemented August 29, 2021, affected routes BlueLine, 22, 28, 54, 55, 56, 60, 76, with new routes 18, 66 and 92. The reimagined transit system was accompanied by a 14% increase in ridership after the first phase was implemented.
Response to COVID-19
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks were required on all MCTS buses. In the early stages of the pandemic, there was a passenger limit of 10 passengers per bus, which was increased to 15, but rescinded on July 1, 2021. Passengers were encouraged to limit interaction with the bus driver, exit through the back door, and to use contactless fare forms, such as the M•CARD or Ride MCTS app.
New Fare Collection System
Overview
MCTS is currently in the process of transitioning its fare collection system. Riders will continue to be able to pay fare via the Umo App using a credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Instead of showing the validation code in the Umo app to the driver, mobile users will now have to hold the validation code up to new fare validators. There will be a new smartcard, the WisGo Card, that will effectively replace the M•CARD. The ability to load 1, 7 and 31-day passes will be eliminated in favor of stored value. The Go Pass and Reduced Fare programs are being consolidated into one encompassing Reduced Fare Program. 90-minute transfers will be available for Umo app and WisGo card users and will cost $2 per transfer for regular adult fare, and $1 per transfer for reduced fare users. The new fare system will feature fare capping, ensuring regular riders do not pay more than $4 daily, $19.50 weekly, and $72 monthly, and reduced fare riders will not pay more than $2 daily, $11 weekly and $32 monthly. Cash will remain a payment option, but riders using cash will not be able to receive transfers or capped fares. The full adult cash fare was reduced from $2.25 to $2.00 to expedite fare payments (from $1.10 to $1.00 for reduced fare).
Changes with U-Pass and Commuter Value Pass (CVP)
The U-Pass will be replaced with a variant of the WisGo smartcard that will provide them with unlimited rides. Commuter Value Pass users will also receive a WisGo smartcard from their employer that will allow them to continue riding the bus at a discounted rate. CVP users can also use the Umo app.
CONNECT 1 BRT (Bus Rapid Transit)
The East-West BRT, now known as the CONNECT 1 BRT, is an 9-mile (14 km) route that serves the region's most traveled corridor. The BRT route runs primarily along Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee and Bluemound Road in Wauwatosa, connecting riders from Downtown Milwaukee and Marquette University to the west side of the city to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC). Its goal is to connect thousands of people to and from work, universities, and recreational centers. It features battery-electric buses which will receive traffic signal priority, off-board fare collection, special bus shelters with ramps for ADA accessibility, and dedicated travel lanes along portions of the route.
In late 2018, the project design was finalized, and subsequently received federal approval. MCTS utilized a Small Starts Grant Agreement from the Federal Transit Administration, which accounts for $40.9 million of the $55 million project.
On March 11, 2021, MCTS announced they selected Nova Bus as the manufacturer of 15 LFSe+ battery-electric buses, 11 of which will be used for the new BRT line. MCTS was the first transit system in the United States to have been awarded a contract for Nova LFSe+ buses. MCTS Connect officially started June 4, 2023. The first 11 Nova LFSe+ buses have been delivered as of October 2023, and the remaining 4 buses expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2024. It is estimated that by 2035, MCTS Connect will average more than 9,500 weekday riders, with overall transit ridership in the corridor increasing by 17%.
As of August 25, 2023, the 9 Nova LFSe+ electric buses that have been exclusively used for the CONNECT 1 BRT have been temporarily pulled from service due to a battery recall because of a potential manufacturing issue. Once the batteries are replaced, which Nova will finance, they will return to service. As of September 26, 2023, the Nova LFSe+ electric buses have returned to service, alongside two new LFSe+ buses, totaling eleven buses. Due to a supply chain issue, the pre-board payment equipment has also been delayed, resulting in an extension of the fare-free period for the CONNECT until early 2024.
Accolades
MCTS is known for its bus drivers doing good deeds around the city of Milwaukee, such as rescuing lost children, helping people with disabilities cross busy streets, and much more. Videos of such acts have gone viral, placing MCTS in the national spotlight. This recognition has resulted in MCTS receiving honors from organizations such as PETA to an Innovators Award from the American Public Transportation Association in July 2019. MCTS was also featured on a December 2018 episode of Inside Edition.
Bus fleet
Active
| Numbers | Builder | Model | Delivered |
Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5100-5189 | New Flyer | D40LFR | August 2010 | First to feature near-zero emissions.
5119, 5133, 5159, 5163, 5168, 5172, 5183, 5189 are the last remaining ones in service as of August 2023. |
| 5200-5234 | New Flyer | D40LFR | April 2011 | 5211, 5217, 5220, 5224, 5228, 5229, 5230, 5233 are the last remaining ones in service as of August 2023. |
| 5300-5354 | New Flyer | D40LFR | March 2012 | 5300, 5301, 5306, 5311, 5312, 5315, 5316, 5320, 5321, 5324, 5325, 5329, 5332, 5334–5336, 5341–5343, 5347 retired as of August 2023. |
| 5400-5454 | New Flyer | XD40 | July 2013 | Clean air buses; first fleet in MCTS' history to feature rear destination signs on the back of the bus. |
| 5500-5534 | New Flyer | XD40 | January 2014 | |
| 5600-5627 | New Flyer | XD40 | October 2015 | Clean air buses with new interior features, such as an automatically opening electronic smart door at the back of the bus. 2 were canceled due to increased costs. 5601 was first new bus in service on Route 19 on Friday October 2, 2015. |
| 5700-5729 | New Flyer | XD40 | August 2016 | 5713 features a white front LED destination sign.
5729 features an automatic Quantum wheelchair securement system. |
| 5800-5814 | New Flyer | XD40 | August 2017 | First fleet in MCTS' history to feature aluminum rims. |
| 5900-5927 | Gillig | Low Floor BRT | June 2019 | Each subsequent fleet features white LED destination signs. |
| 6000-6022 | Gillig | Low Floor BRT | June 2020 | |
| 6100-6113 | Gillig | Low Floor BRT | 2022 | |
| 6200-6258 | Gillig | Low Floor BRT | 2022 | 6239, 6249, 6251-6258 used exclusively for the CONNECT 1 BRT |
| 1000-1014 | Nova Bus | LFSe+ | November 2022 | This is Nova Bus' first order for LFSe+ buses in the United States, and Milwaukee's first battery-electric buses. These buses feature USB charging, an automatic Quantum wheelchair securement system, and produce chimes when approaching stops for visually impaired riders. The buses also feature a new light blue paint scheme specifically designed for the CONNECT branding, as opposed to the normal blue, green and yellow MCTS livery. As of October 2023, the first 11 buses (1000-1010) have been delivered and run exclusively on the CONNECT 1 BRT. |
Retired
| Numbers | Builder | Model | Delivered | Withdrawn |
Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-MCTS (ex Transport Co. fleet) | |||||
| 1320-1483 | GMC | TDH-5105 | 1953-1957 & 1959 | 1980 | 1329 & 1343 painted in UWM black & metallic gold in 1975;
1335, 1336, 1339, 1406, 1411, 1415, 1421, 1428, 1430, 1432, 1446 & 1456 painted in two-tone county green in late 1975/early 1976. (All were painted for WTMJ Ch. 4 except 1456) 1466, 1467, 1470, 1473, 1474, 1477, 1479, 1481, 1482 & 1483 painted in dark green and white for Downtown ShuttleBug (Route 7) in 1975. 1483 is the last TDH-5105 built (1959) |
| 1484-1503 | GMC | TDH-5301 | 1960 | 1985 | |
| 1504-1586 | GMC | TDH-5301 | 1962 | 1985 | |
| 1601-1675 | GMC | TDH-5303 | 1963 | 1986 | |
| 1701-1730 | GMC | TDH-5303 | 1964 | 1986 | |
| 1751-1760 | GMC | TDH-5301 | 1960 | 1985 | Originally operated by Triboro Coach and acquired in early 1965 |
| 1761-1770 | GMC | TDH-5302 | 1960 | 1985 | Originally operated by Triboro Coach and acquired in early 1965;
1761 and 1762 were used as sightseeing buses and can be distinguished by their scenic windows. 1761 used at Mitchell Field [Mitchell International Airport after 1986] (1982-1990) |
| 1801-1863 | GMC | TDH-5303 | 1965 | 1987 | Were in the plan to be rehabilitated and later dropped. |
| 1901-1960 | GMC | TDH-5303 | 1966 | 2001 | Refurbished in 1982-1987 and repainted into MCTS' white with green stripe except 1911 and 1945, retired early and not rehabilitated. |
| 2001-2030 | GMC | TDH-5303 | 1967 | 2001 | Refurbished in 1982-1987 and repainted into MCTS colors except 2024, retired early and not rehabilitated;
2001 was converted into a special bus that was used for handicapped and elderly use (1979-1994); 2003 used as a shuttle at Mitchell International Airport (1996-1998). |
| Post-MCTS (1975 to present) | |||||
| 3000-3099 | Flxible | 53102-8-1 | 1978 | 1991 | First order to feature handicapped seating and lifts and first with air conditioning; introduced MCTS' new color scheme.
3032 used at Mitchell International Airport (1990-1996). 3000 is the last 53102-8-1 built |
| 3100-3249 | GMC | RTS-II | 1980 | 2000 | First group to display route numbers on right end rear windows. Refurbished in 1987–1990 to add new vertically opening windows and new air conditioning units.
3219-3224 equipped with turbo engines and the only 6 plus a demo. 3120 & 3127 had Cummins engines. |
| 3300-3325 | Neoplan | N416 | 1982 | 1996 | 40-ft. Ordered with wheelchair lifts which were removed before entering service. Only 76 of this model built, only MCTS & Atlanta (MARTA) had them plus one demo. |
| 3326-3343 | Neoplan | N416 | 1982 | 1991 | 35-ft. Only 18 built and for MCTS. 3334 used at Milwaukee County House of Correction as C3334 (1993-1996). |
| 3400–3439 | Crown-Ikarus | 286 | 1984 | 2000 | 60-foot articulated buses
Very few systems had them, Portland (Tri-Met), Louisville (TARC), Houston and others. |
| 3500-3571 | Neoplan | AN440 | 1985-1986 | 2002 | Second generation; non-wheelchair |
| 3600-3656 | Neoplan | AN440 | 1987 | 2002 | Third generation: longer wheelbase moved rear axle further away from exit door; non-wheelchair.
These series had 2 engine types. 3600-3619 were Cummins while 3620-3656 had Detroit Diesel. |
| 3700-3816 | Orion | 05.501 | 1990-1991 | 2004 | 3700-3801 was the last order without wheelchair lifts; 3802-3816 were assigned to the Metrolink route and were identified by an orange stripe adjacent to MCTS's green; wheelchair lifts; last buses to display route destination numbers on right side rear windows. |
| 4000-4145 | New Flyer | D40LF | 1996-1997 | 2011 | A number placed in storage from mid 2009 to early 2010 due to cuts |
| 4200-4208 | New Flyer | D30LF | 1997 | 2010 | Placed in storage in 2008 due to cuts |
| 4300-4389 | New Flyer | D40LF | 2000 | 2017 | Originally retired in 2014. 4302, 4304, 4305, 4320, 4329, 4348 returned to service in Jan. 2015.
4305 and 4320 were still active in late 2016 . |
| 4400-4468 | New Flyer | D40LF | 2001 | 2015 | Originally retired in 2014. 4417, 4434, 4466 returned to service in Jan. 2015 and re-retired in Sept 2015.
4426, 4439 & 4447 were converted as fare collection buses for Summerfest & Wisconsin State Fair for 2 seasons (2014-2015). 4418 was the only bus in MCTS' history in which a homicide took place on board. |
| 4500-4519 | New Flyer | D30LF | 2002 | 2012 | 4501, 4507, 4510, 4515-4519 went to Sheboygan after 2012 |
| 4600-4639 | New Flyer | D40LF | 2002 | 2017 | 4607, 4614, 4617, 4626, 4633, & 4639 were converted as fare collection buses for Summerfest and Wisconsin State Fair for 2 seasons ( 2014-2015 ). |
| 1000-1004 | Gillig | Advantage | 2002 | 2014 | Used exclusively for Ozaukee County service. Officially retired on June 8, 2014, with 4 examples of this series being purchased by Wausau Transit System to replace buses that had structural problems. Bus 1004 has been out of service before the retirement due to transmission problems |
Future
The Milwaukee County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) plans to seek approximately $55.2 million in federal grants for bus replacements to help finance the Milwaukee County Transit System's transition to an electric fleet. If the county secures the full grant awards MCTS is applying for, that would pay for 32 battery-electric buses and 60 clean-diesel buses.
In March 2023, Milwaukee County was awarded $8.4 million from the state to support the purchase of 16 battery electric buses (BEBs).
Bus routes
In January 2012, MCTS introduced three new express bus routes under the brand MetroEXpress. The GreenLine, BlueLine, and RedLine routes have a larger stop spacing than other routes.
In August 2014, MCTS launched two new bus routes: Route 6 (New Berlin Industrial Park Express) and Route 279 (Menomonee Falls Industrial Park Express) and were marketed as "JobLines". These bus routes were the result of a lawsuit against the Department of Transportation claiming that the Zoo Interchange reconstruction project was discriminatory in that it only benefitted commuters from the predominantly White suburbs and did not advocate for public transit improvements in the city. As a result, the state spent $13.5 million on transit improvements, $11.5 million of which supported the funding for the routes until 2018. Route 6 traveled from Port Washington Road & Capitol Drive, along Capitol Drive, Mayfair Road, Bluemound Road, and Moorland Road through the New Berlin Industrial Park to Buy Seasons in New Berlin. Route 279 traveled along Fond Du Lac Avenue from 35th Street to the Park Place Business Park, and then on to the Menomonee Falls Business Park to Pilgrim Road P+R Lot.
On January 18, 2015, the number 10 route was withdrawn. The route, which dated back to the 1920s, was the last streetcar in Milwaukee on its conversion to bus operation in 1958. Two express services (GoldLine and PurpleLine) were introduced, with the PurpleLine offering express service on 27th Street from Glendale to Franklin, and the GoldLine effectively replacing Route 10 service from Brookfield to Downtown Milwaukee, and also being aligned with Route 30 to serve UWM. Route 61, a third "JobLine", was also introduced, which traveled from 35th Street & Capitol Drive, and ran northwest along Keefe Avenue, Appleton Avenue, Silver Spring Drive, Falls Parkway, and County Line Road to Germantown Walmart. Route 279 was eliminated on August 27, 2016, because of extremely low ridership. The remaining funding for the route was reallocated into Routes 6 and 61.
In 2018, the system operated 59 routes with 5,190 bus stops. In December 2018, it was announced that Routes 6 and 61 were retiring due to the end of the Zoo Interchange settlement funding. Both routes were retired by January 6, 2019, with Route 57 being reconfigured to still serve Waukesha County and Germantown Walmart, effectively replacing Route 61, until funding expiration on August 24, 2019. This temporary extension was a result of additional funds being appropriated by Milwaukee County. In 2020, MCTS operated 48 routes with 4,591 bus stops.
All freeway flyer routes, including Routes 79, 137 and 143, in addition to the Cream Puff Line (service to Wisconsin State Fair), the Summerfest Shuttle (informally Route 7) and the Brewers Line (service to Brewers games at American Family Field) were formally eliminated towards the end of 2022 due to a projected budget shortfall in 2025. The 3 UBUS routes have continued normal operation. MCTS provided two Summerfest freeway flyers in 2023, Route 40S, operating from the College Avenue Park and Ride lots, and Route 49S, operating from the Brown Deer Road East Park and Ride Lot.
The CONNECT 1 Bus Rapid Transit route officially began June 4, 2023, providing service between Downtown Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center via Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee, and Bluemound Road in Wauwatosa. It is the first BRT route in the state of Wisconsin.
| Route No. | Name | First Stop | Last Stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40S | College Ave Summerfest Flyer | College Ave P+R Lots (Northeast & Southwest) | Summerfest Chicago Harbor |
| 49S | Brown Deer Rd Summerfest Flyer | Brown Deer Rd East P+R Lot | Summerfest Chicago Harbor |
| Route No. | Name | First Stop | Last Stop | Route Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueLine | Fond du Lac-Mill |
Downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station |
Lincoln Creek Fond du Lac/Hampton |
6.7 miles (10.8 km) |
|
Dretzka Park 124th/Bradley |
14.7 miles (23.7 km) | |||
| GreenLine (24-hour service) | Bayshore-Airport (via Oakland-Howell) | General Mitchell Int'l Airport |
Whitefish Bay Marlborough/Hampton |
12.8 miles (20.6 km) |
|
Glendale Bayshore Town Center |
15.3 miles (24.6 km) | |||
| PurpleLine | 27th Street |
Southpoint Loomis/29th |
12.3 miles (19.8 km) | |
|
Franklin College-Walmart |
16.1 miles (25.9 km) | |||
|
Oak Creek Drexel-IKEA |
18.2 miles (29.3 km) | |||
| RedLine | Capitol Drive |
Downer Woods University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
Brookfield 127th/Capitol Pick 'N Save |
11.4 miles (18.3 km) |
| 11 | Hampton Avenue |
Lincoln Park Hampton/Green Bay |
Butler Hampton/124th |
6.9 miles (11.1 km) |
| 12 | Teutonia Avenue |
Downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station |
Brown Deer Service Rd/Schroeder (south side) |
11.3 miles (18.2 km) |
| 14 | Humboldt Boulevard |
Downtown Wisconsin/Cass |
Glendale Bayshore Town Center |
7.0 miles (11.3 km) |
| 15 | Holton-Kinnickinnic |
South Milwaukee Chicago/Drexel |
Williamsburg Heights Richards/Capitol |
16.2 miles (26.1 km) |
| 18 | National-Greenfield |
Downtown (MSOE Viet Field) (Broadway/Knapp) |
West Allis VisABILITY Center (108th/Lapham) |
9.2 miles (14.8 km) |
|
West Allis Greenfield/124th |
9.9 miles (15.9 km) | |||
| 19 | Dr. MLK Dr-S. 13th |
Thurston Woods Florist/Teutonia |
College Heights Zellman Court (13th/College) |
16.3 miles (26.2 km) |
|
Oak Creek Centennial-Target |
20.1 miles (32.3 km) | |||
| 20 | S. 20th Street |
Franklin College-Walmart |
Walkers Point 2nd/National |
8.6 miles (13.8 km) |
| 21 | North Avenue |
Downer Woods University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
Wauwatosa Mayfair Mall |
10.6 miles (17.1 km) |
| 22 | Center Street |
Wauwatosa North Ave/124th |
10.7 miles (17.2 km) | |
| 24 | Forest Home-16th St |
Greenfield Southridge Mall |
Triangle MCTS Admin Building (17th/Fond du Lac) |
9.9 miles (15.9 km) |
| 28 | 108th Street |
Timmerman West Lovers Lane/Silver Spring |
Hales Corners108th/Grange | 13.8 miles (22.2 km) |
| 30 | Sherman-Wisconsin |
Downer Woods University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
Graceland Sherman/Mill |
14.2 miles (22.9 km) |
| 31 | State-Highland |
Downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station |
Wauwatosa Mayfair Mall |
9.4 miles (15.1 km) |
| 33 | Vliet-84th |
Downtown Prospect/State |
West Allis National/79th |
9.4 miles (15.1 km) |
| 34 (Giannis Line) | Hopkins-Congress |
Downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station |
Lindsay Park 92nd/Grantosa |
9.1 miles (14.6 km) |
| 35 | 35th Street |
Greenfield Layton/60th |
Tripoli Park Good Hope/Teutonia (facing west) |
15.2 miles (24.5 km) |
| 51 | Oklahoma Avenue |
Bay View New York-Delaware/Oklahoma |
West Allis Oklahoma/124th |
9.7 miles (15.6 km) |
| 52 | Clement-Pennsylvania |
Bay View Herman/Kinnickinnic |
Cudahy Lake Dr/Kelly Senior Center |
7.1 miles (11.4 km) |
| 53 | Lincoln Avenue |
Bay View Bay/Conway |
West Allis Lincoln/114th |
8.3 miles (13.4 km) |
| 54 | Mitchell-Burnham |
Bay View/Saveland Park Holt/Chase |
West Allis National/112th |
12.2 miles (19.6 km) |
| 55 | Layton Avenue | Lipton/Kinnickinnic | Layton/107th | 10.3 miles (16.6 km) |
|
Cudahy Lake Dr/Kelly Senior Center (WEEKDAY SERVICE ONLY) |
12.1 miles (19.5 km) | |||
| 56 | Greenfield-S. 43rd |
Clock Tower Acres 1st/Mitchell |
SouthpointLoomis/29th | 7.0 miles (11.3 km) |
| 57 | Walnut-Appleton |
Downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station |
Timmerman West Lovers Lane/Silver Spring |
11.6 miles (18.7 km) |
| 58 | Villard Avenue |
Lincoln Park Green Bay/Hampton |
7.2 miles (11.6 km) | |
| 60 | 60th Street |
Greenfield Layton/60th |
Brown Deer Walmart-66th |
18.2 miles (29.3 km) |
| 63 | Silver Spring Drive |
Timmerman West Lovers Lane/Silver Spring |
Glendale Bayshore Town Center |
7.6 miles (12.2 km) |
| 66 | Burleigh Street |
Riverwest Humboldt/Locust |
Wauwatosa Mayfair Mall |
8.7 miles (14.0 km) |
|
Downer Woods University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
9.9 miles (15.9 km) | |||
| 68 | Port Washington Road |
Riverwest Fratney/Capitol |
River Hills Brown Deer East P&R Lot |
8.2 miles (13.2 km) |
| 76 | 76th Street |
Greenfield Southridge Mall |
Northridge Northridge Lakes/76th |
17.5 miles (28.2 km) |
| 80 | 6th St-Green Bay Ave |
Tripoli Park Teutonia/Good Hope |
General Mitchell Int'l Airport | 16.5 miles (26.6 km) |
|
Oak Creek MATC South Campus via Airport |
20.5 miles (33.0 km) | |||
| 81 | Amazon-Oak Creek |
Sherman Park Fond du Lac/35th-Burleigh |
Oak Creek Amazon MKE2 (Oak Creek) |
16.5 miles (26.6 km) |
| 88 | Brown Deer Road |
Brown Deer Service Rd/Schroeder (south side) |
Dretzka Park 124th/Bradley |
8.2 miles (13.2 km) |
| 92 | 92nd Street |
Greenfield Layton/84th (S. 87th) (84 South) |
Granville Heather/107th |
19.4 miles (31.2 km) |
| CONNECT 1 BRT | Wisconsin Avenue Bus Rapid Transit |
Downtown Wisconsin & Van Buren BRT Station |
Wauwatosa Watertown Plank P&R BRT Station |
9.0 miles (14.5 km) |
Other projects
North-South Transit Enhancement Project
Currently, Milwaukee County, MCTS, and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) are engaged in a study of the 27th Street Corridor. A considerable number of jobs, shopping centers, and medical facilities are along this corridor, currently served by the PurpleLine. This project plans to enhance transit along 27th Street by re-imagining the PurpleLine as a BRT line, which would add a second route to the CONNECT BRT system. While the current PurpleLine is already a pseudo-express route, it does not offer authentic express service for the majority of the route, as on average, stops are 0.2 miles (1,100 ft; 0.32 km; 320 m) apart. This is one of the aspects of transit in this corridor that this project will address. Furthermore, this project aims to address racial inequalities in the transit system, reduce reckless driving along 27th Street, attract new riders, and overall improve the quality of transit in this corridor.
The recommended route was developed during the feasibility study, which concluded in 2022. This new, 18-mile route would travel from Bayshore Mall in Glendale to the Oak Creek IKEA via Silver Spring, Teutonia and 27th Street, serving 33 stops in each direction, including St. Luke's Medical Center at 27th and Oklahoma, two Walmart stores, one at 27th and Ohio and another near 27th and Sycamore, and the Northwestern Mutual Franklin Campus near 27th and Drexel. This corridor features nearly 50,000 jobs, 2,500 businesses, 4 major medical facilities, 63 K-12 schools, 36 grocery and big-box discount stores, and 12 community resource centers. MCTS began the environmental review and design phase of the project in 2023, which is expected to conclude in 2025. Following that, construction of the new system would begin, which would include adding specialized stations and off-board fare collection technology to bus stops, dedicated travel lanes for buses and possibly traffic signal priority. Construction is expected to conclude sometime in 2027, with service beginning in 2028.
Ridership
| Ridership | Change over previous year | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 44,065,845 | n/a |
| 2011 | 44,753,412 |
 1.56%
|
| 2012 | 44,049,428 |
 1.57%
|
| 2013 | 43,008,924 |
2.36%
|
| 2014 | 40,028,664 |
6.93%
|
| 2015 | 39,313,138 |
1.79%
|
| 2016 | 40,256,308 |
2.40%
|
| 2017 | 34,606,044 |
14.04%
|
| 2018 | 30,429,788 |
12.07%
|
| 2019 | 28,972,674 |
4.79%
|
| 2020 | 15,595,089 |
46.17%
|
| 2021 | 14,356,646 |
7.94%
|
| 2022 | 15,557,421 |
8.36%
|