Moving Forward Together

Building a Sustainable Future for MCTS

MCTS is vital in connecting workers to 386,000 jobs, supporting employers, powering major events, and reducing congestion across Southeastern Wisconsin. Despite this, Milwaukee County is the only major metro in the Midwest without a dedicated funding source.

MCTS and Milwaukee County are taking steps now to build a more sustainable future for the system so riders can continue to rely on MCTS for years to come.

Per year: 25M rides, 385000 paratransit rides. 20000 employers supported. 47% of riders use MCTS to get to work. 77% of residents in walking range of a bus stop.
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The Value of Transit

Riding the bus benefits everyone on the road – not just the bus riders. An ongoing Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) study shows that through reduced traffic congestion and delays, lower vehicle operating costs, fewer crashes, and lower vehicle emissions, MCTS has a major impact on the region. The data also recognizes MCTS as one of the most efficient transit systems in the Midwest. See more about why public transit matters to both non-riders and riders alike:

$345 million saved per year, -92000 metric tons CO2 saved per year

Compared to major transit systems in the Midwest, MCTS:

Has the lowest cost per revenue mile

Offers the 2nd lowest cost per trip

Ranks 3rd in ridership per capita

Where Funding Stands

Without a dedicated local funding source, MCTS relies heavily on a combination of fares, state and federal funding, and county support. Today, MCTS is facing a projected $15.7 million budget shortfall in 2026, which is projected to grow to $37 million in 2031.

While one-time federal relief funding and local investments have helped stabilize service in recent years, those resources are limited and temporary. MCTS is seeking to build a stable, sustainable, and scalable transit system that benefits all riders within the current funding levels.

A graph showing the state mass transit operating assistance, and the discrepancy between actual assistance given and the assistance required with inflation

After a drastic cut in state transit funding in 2011, annual allocations have never recovered. At the same time, costs like fuel, bus maintenance and wages have risen substantially. In 2026, MCTS is effectively underfunded by $34 million in state support, without tools to raise additional revenue.

What Is Needed

Long-term, dedicated funding is essential to building a stronger transit system for Milwaukee County. Stable funding would allow MCTS to plan further ahead, provide more reliable service, and make strategic investments that benefit riders and the community for years to come.

What We’re Doing

System Redesign

MCTS is reimagining a safe, efficient, and reliable transit system that meets projected funding levels and current ridership trends. To ensure Milwaukee’s bus system continues providing essential transportation in a financially sustainable way, MCTS has partnered with Jarrett Walker + Associates—a globally recognized transit planning firm. With input from the community and our partners, we’re evaluating where routes begin and end, how often buses run, and which roads they serve. The goal is to create a system that meets the needs of riders while operating within available resources.

Transit Funding Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships

The Milwaukee County Office of Government Affairs and the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance, in partnership with MCTS and MCDOT, have launched a coordinated advocacy initiative to secure and diversify funding that supports reliable, affordable, and expanded public transportation services.

The County Board of Supervisors County Board passed resolution 26-306, signed into law by County Executive David Crowley urging the Governor and State Legislature to enact a sustainable transit and transit funding solution.

The renewed effort focuses on increasing operating support, investing in transit infrastructure, advancing fare policy reform, and pursuing broader policy changes that promote the long-term sustainability of the region's transit system.

Key approaches include:

  • Strengthened National and State Partnerships: MCTS and Milwaukee County have reestablished their partnership with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the Wisconsin Public Transit Association (WIPTA). Leadership from both organizations participated in APTA's Capitol Hill Day in Washington, D.C., advocating for federal transit investment and policy priorities.
  • Expanded Advocacy: MCTS and Milwaukee County are actively engaging with statewide coalitions, the business community and transportation partners to advance sustainable transportation funding strategies and strengthen coordinated advocacy efforts.
  • MCTS Forward Network Redesign: MCTS has launched MCTS Forward, a comprehensive transit network redesign initiative featuring robust public engagement and ongoing collaboration with the County Board and other key stakeholders. As the redesign progresses, it is expected to generate important discussions regarding community transit needs, service priorities, and the long-term funding required to support a modern, sustainable transit system.

MCTS and Milwaukee County are implementing these ongoing strategies via internal working groups focused on communications, advocacy, data, and government relations to better coordinate messaging, policy development, and stakeholder engagement related to transit funding.

Investing in Safety

MCTS has a robust safety plan in place across the organization. MCTS expanded its safety team to include Public Safety Officers as another component of its approach to safety and customer experience. These are the first in-house security officers at MCTS. These well-trained officers strengthen the community with their past experience as law enforcement officers and first responders. 

The new enforcement initiatives build upon ongoing investments in passenger and operator safety across the MCTS system through staffing, technology, and infrastructure.  

For example, in addition to the 10 high-definition cameras with live-look capabilities on every bus, the newest buses are equipped with passenger-facing CCTV screens to remind riders they are being recorded and to enhance situational awareness. MCTS also plans to test even larger operator shields that recently entered the market and offer more robust protection to bus operators. These measures are supported by a robust agency safety plan as part of the MCTS Safety Management System program, in compliance with FTA guidelines.

Overall, MCTS has more than 50 employees engaged in safety, including Route Supervisors, a 24-hour Dispatch Center, Public Safety Officers, and administrative personnel committed to making MCTS safe for employees and customers.