How to Ride

Route Guides

Each schedule display is broken up by day (weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays/holidays), direction of travel, and by time points that match those on the map. If the bus does something special, a footnote appears to the right of the time and the footnote list is at the bottom of the schedule display. Remember the time points are NOT the only places the bus stops.

To read the schedule, follow these simple steps:

1. Use the Transit Guide (overall System Map) to find your neighborhood and the route that travels where you want to go.
2. Open the route guide to either weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
3. Choose the direction in which you need to travel, and check the map for the segment of the route on which you will be riding.
4. Locate the column of your starting point and read down to the schedule time closest to your leaving time. If your starting point is not a time point, use the time point the bus reaches prior to your starting point. You can also read across the line to the time point closest to your destination. This gives your arrival time.
5. If you want to arrive at a specific time at a destination served by the route, simply locate the column showing that time point or location and read down to the desired arrival time. Then staying on the same line, read back to the left until you reach the column of your starting point.

Please note that MCTS operates a Sunday schedule on the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Cover

Aside from the route number and name prominently displayed at the top, there are a number of other helpful features on each route guide cover:

1. Effective Date indicates the date on which the guide and schedule are based. Since some schedules can change up to four times a year, this feature helps you know which one is most current.
2. Service Hours is a listing of the days and approximate times the route operates. However, always check the schedule for specific times.
3. Serving is a list of key destinations and communities outside the City of Milwaukee that are served by the route.
4. Holidays indicates those days on which a Sunday schedule is operated.
5. Special Messages alerts you to major route changes or detours.

Map

Each map shows all the streets buses travel on for a particular route. Maps may contain these key elements:

1. Limited Service is indicated by a dashed line to alert you to carefully look at the schedule if traveling on that segment.
2. Destinations are shown as large shaded letters and are typically shopping centers, universities, attractions, etc.
3. Time Points are shown as numbers in squares and are conveniently spaced stops along the route. They are keyed to the time schedule for the route. These are not the only stops; buses stop every two to three blocks.
4. Compass to North helps to determine direction of travel. Please note that maps are not drawn to scale.
5. Connecting Routes are shown as numbers in circles.
6. Running Times are shown as numbers in clock face circles. This indicates how much time it takes for the bus to travel the indicated segment.
7. Cross Streets are shown to provide more points of reference.

Bus Stop Signs

Most bus stops are served by one or two routes just like the illustration shows. You will find bus stops about every two to three blocks. White numbers and letters on a blue background indicate local routes. Green backgrounds are for Flyer or UBUS (UWM/MATC) service. When you read the bus stop sign, be sure to check for any special messages that appear (e.g., “No Sunday Service,” or “A.M. Stop”).

In Downtown Milwaukee, many MCTS routes may share a single bus stop. Because of space limitations, only big bold white route numbers will be displayed on this style sign. Blue backgrounds will be used to distinguish local routes.  Green backgrounds will be used to distinguish Flyer routes. Although route names and special messages will not appear, supplemental signs are posted below or near the bus stop sign in order to provide more complete information.

Destination Signs

All buses have signs above their window shield that display the route number and final destination of the bus. These are electronic signs where yellow letters appear on a black background for all services. Similar signs are displayed on the side of the bus next to the front door.

Paying Fares & Using Passes

MCTS offers three ways to pay your fare: exact cash, tickets and passes. Exact fare is needed since our drivers don't make change and do not sell passes or tickets onboard buses. Cash and tickets need to be placed in the fare box. Usually with a pass you need to add cash only on Freeway Flyers or the Ozaukee County Express.

Be sure to have your fare, transfer or pass ready before you board. Show your pass or transfer to the operator as you board. If you have special identification for a discount fare (e.g., student, senior, disabled, etc.), please have the proper identification ready and show it to the operator prior to depositing your fare.

Remember to ask for a transfer when you pay your fare. Transfers are valid for further transportation on any bus at any stop within the time limit. Transfers will be issued only upon request. Also, if you are boarding with any MCTS bus pass, you will not need a transfer.