In July 2023, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted YES to a .04% tax increase. This positive outcome was due the support of our riders, community members and local businesses. Together we have taken the first step to avoid a fiscal cliff.
Without the “yes” vote, The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) would have faced a $26.5 million budget shortfall in 2025, due to long standing structural budget problems and the impending expiration of temporary federal COVID19 relief funding.
While we celebrate this outcome, our work is not done. To avoid any cuts in service and guarantee improvements to transit in Milwaukee County, we need to continue our efforts and outreach. You can help by sharing your personal story with your County Supervisor to help them understand the importance of transit in their district. This will ensure that they prioritize public transportation when it comes to distribution of tax funds in the future.
MCTS is committed to providing consistent and reliable service to its riders. With your help, we will continue that service, as well as invest in expanded service and innovation for our system.
Public transit is vital infrastructure that benefits everybody, and a cut in MCTS funding would be a huge blow to the city of Milwaukee and to bus riders like me.
With the route cuts and restructuring that has already occurred and the planned changes, I have had to reconcile myself to the fact that, if there is no bus, I am stranded at home. There are a lot of people like me. Please help.
I'm not sure how I would be able to get to my doctor appointments, school, or work if the routes were cut. I can't drive, and I can't afford to pay for something like an Uber or Lyft every time. This would be devastating for people like me.
I have been accepted into UWM and as a college student I don’t plan on owning a car. Significant cuts of services would definitely impact my day-to-day life as a college student who has friends in other parts of town.
I am a mobility impaired senior. I'm on a fixed income & must rely on MCTS to get to most places because I don't have family or friends with cars to assist me. I also have many friends and family who rely on MCTS to get where they need to go. Cutting back &/or eliminating routes will greatly jeopardize our abilities to get to work, appointments & shopping.
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"Milwaukee County Board passes 0.4 percent sales tax hike" WPR
"MCTS riders with disabilities no longer face cuts to services in Milwaukee County" Spectrum News 1
"The Milwaukee County Transit System is headed toward a fiscal cliff. Here are solutions and other takeaways from a new report." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Milwaukee County Transit System could face $26 million deficit by 2025" BizTImes
"Milwaukee Transit in Crisis, Faces Massive Cuts" Urban Milwaukee
"MCTS facing a significant financial situation in millions" TMJ4-TV Milwaukee
"WISCONSIN POLICY FORUM’S REPORT RINGS ALARM FOR STATE ACTION ON LOCAL TRANSIT FUNDING" Milwaukee Independent
"Post-pandemic fiscal crisis brings Milwaukee County Transit Services to a crossroads" WisBusiness
"Milwaukee County Transit System faces 'fiscal cliff,' less than 2 years" Fox 6 TV - Milwaukee
"Prospect of Milwaukee County bus service cuts fuels argument for local sales tax vote" Milwaukee Business Journal
*With a fleet of over 320 clean-diesel buses and a dedicated team of 1,000 drivers, mechanics and administrative staff, MCTS provides nearly 16 million rides each year and generates a massive economic impact for the region.