Building a sustainable transit system for Milwaukee County’s future.
MCTS is committed to building a transit system that is reliable, efficient, and sustainable. MCTS will work with Milwaukee County to address its fiscal challenges head-on by recommending adjustments to routes, schedules, and fares that would take effect in January 2026. Throughout the year, MCTS will engage with the public as it evaluates service levels for 2027.
Why is MCTS Proposing These Changes?
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, has created a fiscal cliff for MCTS.
How are Milwaukee County and MCTS Addressing the 2026 Budget Shortfall?
The Milwaukee County 2026 Recommended Budget directs $9 million in remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to transit, and MCTS will align our service with the resources we have today, while we continue to advocate for the funding we need tomorrow. Without changes, MCTS’ ability to maintain current service and fare levels would result in a budget deficit of approximately $14 million in 2026, even after expending remaining federal ARPA funds – which was not an option we could live with.
How did we Determine the Routes to Eliminate, 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 proposed service level reductions would allow us to maintain higher frequencies on our highest ridership routes, which move approximately 73% of annual riders.
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 it evaluates service levels for 2027.
What Does This Mean for Paratransit?
The 2026 Recommended 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 is anticipated to sunset in early 2026 when funds for the pilot program are exhausted.
Will There be Sheriff’s Deputies Onboard Buses?
As a part of the 2026 Recommended 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. Program details are still being finalized. 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.
As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, we will do our best to provide Milwaukee County with a transit system that is world-class in every sense – safe, efficient, reliable, with a focus on adding value to our communities and a great customer experience on our system.
What are the Next Steps?
Next, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
will consider and vote to adopt amendments to the 2026 Recommended Budget. The Finance Committee will then submit the amended budget to the County Board, which will vote to adopt the final budget in early November.
Once the Amended Budget is adopted, MCTS will work with passengers, bus drivers, businesses, community groups, and elected officials in communicating and implementing service changes, which would take effect on January 11, 2026.
Throughout 2026, MCTS will continue to evaluate its operations and budget forecast and will engage with the public in advance about any potential service changes for 2027.