Service Changes

Winter Changes (January 11, 2026)

Starting Sunday, January 11, we’re making service changes to multiple routes to begin closing a $14 million budget gap that MCTS faces in 2026. In order to close this gap, six routes were proposed for elimination, five routes were proposed for segment restructuring and frequency reductions and sixteen routes were proposed for frequency reductions. Recently, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors passed the Milwaukee County Transit System’s (MCTS) new 2026 Service Plan, which leverages support to help bridge that gap. More specifically, the 2026 Adopted Budget allocates $4.7 million in additional funding to the transit system to use in 2026 to help sustain vital transit and paratransit service for riders who rely on MCTS every day.

Instead of eliminating six routes, the approved plan addresses the 2026 budget deficit through targeted reductions in service frequency on select routes during non-peak hours—times when ridership is historically lower. These adjustments allow MCTS to continue serving every neighborhood currently receiving service while responsibly managing ongoing financial challenges. Learn more about the 2026 Budget and how we got here. In addition to the 2026 budget related service changes, several route schedules will be modified due to new long-term road construction starting this winter.

Adjusting Service Levels and Schedules to Address the 2026 Budget Gap

The following six routes originally slated for elimination will have their schedules adjusted to preserve service along these corridors during the busiest times of the day as follows. We will monitor these changes in the 1st quarter of 2026 and adjust to meet rider needs where warranted and within our means.

Route 20: S. 20th Street
- On weekdays buses will operate from 6 a.m.-9 a.m. and from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, buses will operate from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Route 28: 108th Street
- On weekdays buses will operate between 5 a.m.-9 a.m. and between 3 p.m.-6 p.m. On Saturdays, buses will operate from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. On Sundays, buses will operate from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Route 33: Vliet – S. 84th Street
- On weekdays, buses will operate from 6 a.m.-9 a.m. and between 3 p.m.-6 p.m. On Saturdays, buses will operate from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. On Sundays, buses will operate from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Route 34: Hopkins - Congress
- On weekdays, buses will operate from 5 a.m.-9 a.m. and between 3 p.m.-6 p.m. On Saturdays, buses will operate from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. On Sundays, buses will operate from 8 a.m-4 p.m.
Route 55: Layton Avenue
- On weekdays, buses will operate from 5 a.m.-9 a.m. and between 3 p.m.-6 p.m. On Saturdays, buses will operate from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. On Sundays, buses will operate from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Route 58: Villard Avenue
- On weekdays, buses will operate from 6 a.m.-9 a.m. and between 3 p.m.-6 p.m. On Saturdays, buses will operate from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. On Sundays, buses will operate from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Weekday schedules on the following eight routes were adjusted as follows:

Route 12: Teutonia Avenue
- Riders will have to wait 7 min. longer from 6 a.m. to 9 am and 4 min. longer from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Buses will come every 19-22 min. versus 15 min.).
Route 14: Humboldt-Wisconsin
- Riders will have to wait 9 min. longer from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Buses will come every 35 min. versus 26 min.).
Route 31: State-Highland
- Riders will have to wait 15-17 min. longer all day (Buses will come every 42-50 min. versus 27-33 min.).
Route 51: Oklahoma Avenue
- Riders will have to wait 7 min. longer from 6 a.m. to 9 am and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Buses will come every 22 min. versus 15 min.).
Route 53: Lincoln Avenue
- Riders will have to wait 8 min. longer from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Buses will come every 28-30 min. versus 20-22 min.).
Route 57: Walnut-Appleton
- Riders will have to wait 6 min. longer from 6 a.m. to 9 am and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Buses will come every 28 min. versus 22 min.).
Route 60: 60th Street
- Riders will have to wait 2-3 min. longer from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Buses will come every 23-24 min. versus 20-22 min.).
Route 63: Silver Spring Drive
- Riders will have to wait 5 min. longer from 6 a.m. to 9 am and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Buses will come every 20 min. versus 15 min.).

Saturday and Sunday schedules on the following nine routes were adjusted as follows:

Route 18: National-Greenfield
- On Saturdays, riders will have to wait 2-3 min. longer from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Buses will come every 22-24 min. versus 20-21 min.).
Route 19: M.L. King-S. 13th
- On Saturdays, riders will have to wait 3-4 min. longer from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Buses will come every 24-25 min. versus 20-22 min.).
Route 21: North Avenue
- On Saturdays, riders will have to wait 8 min. longer from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. (Buses will come every 30 min. versus 22 min.).
Route 31: State-Highland
- On Saturdays, riders will have to wait 15 min. longer from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Buses will come every 40-45 min. versus 25-30 min.). On Sundays, riders will have to wait 15 min. longer from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Buses will come every 45 min. versus 30 min.).
Route 59: Drexel Avenue
- On Saturdays and Sundays, riders will have to wait 35 min. longer from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. (1 Bus will come every 70 min. versus 35 min.).
Route 74: S. 43rd Street
- On Saturdays, riders will have to wait 25 min. longer from 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. (1 Bus will come every 50-55 min. versus 25-30 min.). On Sundays, riders will have to wait 25-28 min. longer from 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. (1 Bus will come every 50-55 min. versus 25-27 min.).
GreenLine: Bayshore-Airport
- On Saturdays, riders will have to wait 5-7 min. longer from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Buses will come every 23-26 min. versus 18-20 min.).
PurpleLine: 27th Street
- On Saturdays, riders will have to wait 3-5 min. longer from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Buses will come every 23-26 min. versus 18-21 min.).
RedLine: Capitol Drive
- On Saturdays, riders will have to wait 3-4 min. longer from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Buses will come every 19-20 min. versus 16-17 min.).

Adjusted Routing to Waukesha Metro Route 1

Waukesha Metro Route 1’s routing will be modified on its eastern end at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center as part of the efforts to bridge the budget gap in 2026. This service modification will shorten the route by approximately five minutes on every westbound trip to Waukesha and will impact, on average, 38 daily boardings.

After laying over at 87th & Doyne, westbound buses will no longer loop back north along 87th/Watertown Plank/92nd. Instead, westbound buses will travel south towards Wisconsin Avenue, west on Wisconsin Avenue, and south on 95th to regular routing. To board westbound Route 1 buses, riders are encouraged to board at new stops on 87th & Wisconsin and Wisconsin & 92nd, or board any eastbound route 1 bus and ride through the 87th & Doyne layover.

Routes With Detours Beginning or Continuing in the Winter

The following routes will be on long term detours starting or continuing through the Winter. Click here for detoured routing updates.

Route 24: Will continue to detour off the 16th Street Bridge over the Menomonee River. The detour will be in both directions and last until Fall 2026. All trip times have been shifted to accommodate the added detour time.

Route 60: Will begin a new detour off 60th Street between Main Street and Bluemound Road in December 2025, as part of the I-94 construction project. The detour will be in both directions and last until late 2028. All trip times will be shifted to accommodate the added detour time.

Route 80: Will continue to detour at Mitchell International Airport, bypassing the cell phone lot and stopping at the north end of departures, near American and United ticketing.

GreenLine: Will continue to detour at Mitchell International Airport, bypassing the cell phone lot and stopping/laying over at the south end of the baggage claim area.

PurpleLine: Will begin a new detour off 27th Street between Clybourn Street and National Avenue in February 2026, as part of the I-94 construction project. The detour will be in both directions and last until late 2027. All trip times will be shifted to accommodate the added detour time.

Wisconsin I-94 East-West Project 

The I-94 East-West project covers approximately 3.5 miles of I-94, between 70th Street and 16th Street, in Milwaukee County. This seven-year megaproject will modernize the corridor by improving safety, replacing aging infrastructure, and reducing congestion. MCTS is partnering with WisDOT to minimize service impacts to riders throughout the duration of this long-term construction effort. As construction progresses, MCTS will share additional updates and district-specific impacts. The first two long-term detours affect Route 44U and Route 60. 
 
To stay up to date and view additional information, visit: ridemcts.com/routes-schedules/i-94-east-west-construction-project  

New Transit Enhancements

In fall 2025, MCTS installed 28 concrete boarding pads at bus stops that previously did not have them, bringing those stops into compliance with federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. These pads ensure buses are able to deploy a ramp, providing access to riders using mobility devices such as wheelchairs. These concrete pads benefit all riders by providing a boarding area free of mud, uneven grass, and water. Funding for this project was provided through the 2024 Milwaukee County Capital Budget.

A newly installed concrete boarding pad at 60^th & National in West Allis.

Spring Changes 2026 (TBD)

Summer Changes 2026 (TBD)

Fall Changes 2026 (TBD)