MCTS CONNECT

Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, is light rail without the rails. In place of tracks are dedicated lanes, and in place of a streetcar or trolly is a bus. Bus stops become BRT stations. It is an increasingly popular approach to deliver enhanced public transportation services in communities seeking cost-effective ways to reduce traffic congestion, improve mobility and increase transit ridership. BRT features unique branding, specialized vehicles and improved transit stations to enhance the transit experience for riders. Technology improvements include real-time arrival signs at stations, and road features such as exclusive transit lanes. 

Running parallel to I-94, the CONNECT 1 serves the busiest east-west corridor in the county. Ridership is fueled by activity generators within the half-mile station area around the route including: 9 colleges and universities and 8 high schools 48,900 residents 110,700 jobs, 200 businesses with 100 or more employees, 8 medical facilities, 25+ hotels, and countless attractions including the county zoo, American Family Field, Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee Art Museum and Summerfest. 

The cost to ride CONNECT is the same as the cost to ride other MCTS services. An adult MCTS fare is $2 per ride using a WisGO card,  Umo app or cash or credit card. Learn more here.

BRT bus drivers are trained to never go faster than the legal speed limit. The "rapid" in "bus rapid transit" refers to the travel time savings realized by BRT service features that make travel more efficient compared with normal bus service. The full 9-mile CONNECT 1 traveling one-way end-to-end takes 38 minutes; from Milwaukee’s downtown to the medical center in Wauwatosa 30 minutes, a travel time-savings of up to 8 minutes compared with existing bus service. 

A case study published 2022 found that the BRT corridor in Albuquerque, NM saw a 57.1% decrease in serious crashes. Experts also believe adding bus service makes neighborhoods safer by taking cars off the road; plus, BRT features including dedicated lanes calm traffic and increase driver awareness. Exclusive transit lanes reduce weaving and cars won’t get stuck behind idling buses. Enhanced boarding stations provide lighting to make safer, more visible locations. They also remind motorists to watch for buses and passengers getting on and off at the stations. 

Dedicated Bus Lanes

PEDESTRIANS

• Look for vehicles in all directions before crossing the street.
• Cross the street where you have the best view of traffic. At
  bus stops, cross at the nearest crosswalk.

MOTORISTS

• Look for and yield to buses when entering the bus lane.
• Only enter bus lane when making right turn onto streets or
  driveways, or to parallel park. The bus lane cannot be used
  as a driving lane.
• Utilize turn signal when entering or exiting bus and
  parking lanes.
• After yielding to buses and pedestrians, fully enter bus lane
  before proceeding to make a right turn from bus lane.
• Parallel parking is permitted in designated parking areas.

CYCLISTS

• Cyclists are allowed to travel in the dedicated bus lane.
• Be aware of approaching vehicles.
• Use hand signals to indicate turning.
• Obey the rules of the road.

Click here to view the PDF version.

BRT is used successfully in hundreds of cities worldwide and dozens more are under construction across the country. Cities similar in size to Milwaukee that have BRT operations include Kansas City, Missouri; Jacksonville, Florida; San Antonio and El Paso in Texas; and Cincinnati and Cleveland in Ohio.