Update on COVID-19 | View Alert

Masks are required on board all MCTS buses. MCTS continues to limit riders to 15 per bus, and the MCTS Administration Building remains closed to visitors. Read more here.

Tools
Menu

 

The Latest

  • The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is excited to announce that ‘MCTS NEXT’ – the agency’s first comprehensive redesign project in decades – received approval from the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors on Thursday, September 24. Read more here.
  • MCTS will now prepare a schedule for making incremental changes starting in 2021.
  • MCTS will engage in coordinated outreach efforts to inform employees, passengers, stakeholders, and the public about what to expect with the new and improved system.
  • As always, your feedback is important! Please fill out this contact form or leave a comment directly on our map.

MCTS NEXT Highlights

See the Recommended System Map

Watch Route-by-Route Panel Discussion Video

Watch High Frequency Network Discussion Video

Español: 2020 MCTS NEXT Descripción General

Español: Resumen de Rutas de Alta Frecuencia

 

 

Support for MCTS NEXT

 

Read Letters of Support for MCTS NEXT

What is MCTS NEXT?

Faster service

More connections

Increased Accessibility

Redesigning routes for the future of transit in Milwaukee County. 

MCTS NEXT is a new way of looking at transit. We’re examining how we can provide faster service with more connections and increased accessibility. We’re also looking at making transit easier to use. 

At its core, MCTS NEXT is about creating more high frequency bus routes. By increasing transit service in busy corridors, we can help more people get to work, school and everywhere they are going faster and easier.

MCTS NEXT Timeline

 

How MCTS NEXT Works

 

Check out how MCTS NEXT works

MCTS NEXT Fact Sheet

See the impact of redesigns in other cities

Benefits of Redesigning Routes 

Current riders

Frequency:

Buses come more often

Transfers:

Less waiting when transferring between routes

Speed:

Shorter overall travel times for many trips

Milwaukee Community

Access:

More residents will have access to a bus route that arrives every 15 minutes (or better)

Simplicity:

A new network of frequent bus routes will be easier for riders to understand

Efficiency:

Frequent routes cost MCTS significantly less to operate per passenger, ensuring taxpayer money is spent wisely

Expanding High Frequency Service

 

The animated GIFs below serve as a visual aide to clearly compare where service is changing in MCTS NEXT and to show the expansion of High Frequency service across Milwaukee County.

Entire System Comparison:

High Frequency Network Comparison:

High Frequency Connections:

FAQs

What are the goals of MCTS NEXT?

By comprehensively reviewing the network, MCTS will understand how to better serve our existing and potential riders. The program will provide more frequent service on busy corridors, more connections overall and better accessibility for more riders than we do today. More high frequency bus routes reduce travel times for current riders and attract new riders. 

How much does it cost?

MCTS NEXT is a reimagining of the MCTS route network using current budget constraints. For the purposes of this project, we do not anticipate any additional funding. However we do assume that future budgets will allow us to continue to offer at least the same amount of service we do today. 

Will MCTS NEXT make my trip shorter?

The goal of MCTS NEXT is to speed up travel times on the vast majority of trips taken.

How does the plan address the Park and Ride System

The focus on MCTS NEXT is the seven day a week fixed route service that comprises 90% of MCTS service. Freeway Flyers, UBUSes, and Summerfest and State Fair service are not part of the analysis. 

How does the plan address ParaTransit services?

MCTS ParaTransit services will remain unchanged as a result of the MCTS NEXT plan.