Building a Sustainable Transit System for Milwaukee County’s Future.
MCTS is committed to building a transit system that is reliable, efficient, and sustainable. The support of the County Executive and County Board of Supervisors has helped maintain transit in Milwaukee County, an essential service that connects people to work, education, healthcare, and life. MCTS has leveraged this support by creating a 2026 Service Plan that will maximize service levels and minimize disruption in the community.
Why are This Service Plan and Associated Changes Needed in 2026?
MCTS is one of the last remaining transit systems in the U.S. without a dedicated funding structure. Despite being recognized as one of the most efficient transit systems in the country, the long-standing structural funding gap, combined with rising costs and inflationary pressures, created a fiscal cliff for MCTS. Without changes, MCTS’ ability to maintain current service and fare levels would’ve resulted in a budget deficit of approximately $14 million in 2026.
How are Milwaukee County and MCTS Addressing the 2026 Budget Shortfall?
The Milwaukee County 2026 Recommended Budget directed $9 million in remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to transit. A budget amendment from the County Board of Supervisors allocated an additional $4.78 million. These total monies incorporated into the final Adopted Budget allowed MCTS to align our service with the resources we have today, while we continue to advocate for the funding we need tomorrow.
What Modifications Take Place With the January 11 Quarterly Service Change?
Six routes that had been proposed for elimination will be maintained during peak service, seven days per week. Peak service hours may vary from route to route, depending on ridership patterns, and will vary from weekdays to weekends. We will aim to provide optimal service for each route, dependent on the route’s specific needs.
Routes Included:
Maintaining the peak period service will simultaneously address many of the concerns expressed by school students and the general riding public. This service will be monitored, and adjustments will be made incrementally throughout the year to meet the appropriate service needs of the community and stakeholders.
For a full map and times please click here.
Changes in frequency will affect other routes beginning January 11, 2026. For a full schedule please visit RideMCTS.com/ServiceChanges.
What Modifications Take Place With the March 8 Quarterly Service Change?
5 Route Segments Would be Modified:
How did we Determine the Routes to Modify or Reduce Frequency on?
In making these difficult decisions, many variables were considered. Staff examined the data to guide these decisions in striving to minimize the impact on ridership, while also considering equity, access to nearby routes, location of nearby employers, rate of car ownership, and as always, compliance with federal regulations. MCTS’ goal is to maintain as much service as possible with the highest amount of frequency on high ridership routes in 2026.
Our strategies include focusing on the times and days with lower ridership as well as routes with the lowest utilization rates. We determine if those routes are already well-served by nearby, adjacent routes, in some instance ¼ mile to ½ mile on segments of those routes. We also consider demographic factors like serving minority status, persons with low incomes, disabilities, individuals over 65, and English proficiency served.
The service level reductions allow us to maintain higher frequencies on our highest ridership routes, which move approximately 73% of annual riders.
Why did Fares go up in 2026?
In 2025, the fixed route base fare was the same as it was in 2007. Operational costs have increased exponentially in that time. Starting January 1, 2026, the price of a single ride was changed from $2 to $2.75. Riders who are eligible for Reduced Fare saw an increase from $1 to $1.25. Fare caps, which allow riders who use the WisGo card or Umo app to save the more they ride, also changed.
Will Service Changes and Fare Increases in 2026 be Enough to Maintain the System in Future Years?
It is likely that additional service changes will be necessary in future years if a sustainable funding structure cannot be established for MCTS. Costs to maintain the system continue to rise while funding continues to fall.
MCTS will engage with the public throughout 2026 as we evaluate service levels for 2027.
What is in Store for Paratransit in 2026?
The 2026 Adopted Budget continues paratransit service for all of Milwaukee County, border to border. Paratransit fare remains the same at $4.00 per ride and free for personal care attendants. This program will maintain the same requirement of scheduling a reservation the day prior.
The same-day paratransit pilot program will be maintained as a reduced or limited version of the current structure. A limited version of the program may include strategies such as limiting rides to work or medical-related trips, reducing the number of round-trip rides per month, per customer, and/or a reduction in times of day and day of week.
Will There be Sheriff’s Deputies Onboard Buses?
As a part of the 2026 Adopted Budget, $300,000 would be allocated to support a proposed partnership between MCTS and the Office of the Sheriff. To enhance and supplement safety and security for operators and riders, a pilot program would deploy deputies to targeted bus routes. The program is expected to last approximately one year. This initiative would complement MCTS’ existing in-house security efforts, reinforcing MCTS’ commitment to safe transit for all riders and our employees.
Why This Matters
Transit is more than buses. It’s access to jobs, schools, healthcare, and opportunity. Without a strong foundation today, we risk losing that access tomorrow. At MCTS, we are committed to and will continue to advocate for new and increased funding, explore new mobility options and opportunities, and bring our system into alignment with current funding levels, customer needs, and ridership data.