Why haven’t you shut down the bus system during the pandemic?
Public transportation is considered ‘essential infrastructure’ by federal, state and local officials. Transit agencies like MCTS provide a critical service to people who depend on the bus to get to and from essential jobs and important destinations like hospitals, pharmacies, and grocery stores.
What kind of schedule are you running on weekdays?
Buses that run Mondays-Fridays have resumed using a regular weekday schedule. Freeway Flyer service is still suspended.
Do I have to pay fare?
Yes. MCTS resumed fare collection and front door boarding on all buses on June 1, 2020.
Are buses crowded?
A maximum of 20 passengers are allowed on a bus at any given time. Remember, if you ever see a bus that seems too crowded for your personal comfort, you can choose to wait for the next one.
Are passengers required to wear masks while on board?
A federal mask mandate took effect on February 2, 2021 requiring anyone traveling on public transit nationwide to wear a mask. This Federal law reinforces MCTS’s own policy, which has been in place for many months.
Who can I contact with questions about my unused Pass?
Please contact our Customer Service Center by phone at 414-937-3218 (Voice), 711 (TRS), or email "customerservice@mcts.org".
What has changed about the boarding/exiting process?
On June 1, all passengers resumed using the front door to board the bus. Previousky, riders entered and exited the bus through the back door only, unless they needed assistance with a mobility device or other ADA accommodation.
What are you doing to keep your passengers safe?
Please see the ‘Steps We’re Taking’ section of RideMCTS.com/Coronavirus for a listing of actions we’re taking to protect our passengers and employees.
What are you doing to keep your drivers safe?
Please see the ‘Steps We’re Taking’ section of RideMCTS.com/Coronavirus for a listing of actions we’re taking to protect our passengers and employees.
Are you able to provide your drivers with masks?
Yes, MCTS is providing masks and other equipment like hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to drivers and other employees.
Do you have any information you can share about ridership during the pandemic?
Now more than ever, it’s clear that public transportation is essential. At the beginning of the pandemic, many of our riders used the bus only to get to and from work and other essential destinations like the grocery store, pharmacy and hospital. In May, we asked our riders to fill out a brief survey about their ridership habits during the pandemic. Click here to view the results.
At its lowest point at the start of the pandemic in early 2020, MCTS saw a decline in ridership of between 60-70%. In April 2020, ridership was down approx. 55%. In May 2020, ridership was down approximately 44%. Ridership has remained around 50% ever since.
If a bus has 20 passengers on board, but the accessible seating area is empty, can I board with my mobility device?
No, please wait for the next bus.
If I’m travelling with a PCA (Patient Care Assistant/Aide) and a bus has 19 passengers on it and pulls up to the stop, can the PCA ride with me or do we have to wait until the next bus?
Please wait for the next bus.
Can my PCA sit next to me on the bus or do we have to practice social distancing?
The CDC recommends that people leave as much space between each other as possible. However, the decision is ultimately yours.
If I’m taking the bus to work or to the doctor, do I get priority access to an available seat over someone who is riding to a non-essential destination?
We aren’t allowed to prioritize rides. Access to available seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. We understand that this is an inconvenience, and we are doing everything we can to reduce the amount of time you have to wait for the next bus.
Are there designated seats to sit in order to properly maintain social distancing?
Not at this time. We encourage passengers to use 'staggered seating', which simply means leaving empty seats between each other. While the CDC recommends that you stay six feet from others, passengers are responsible for choosing somewhere to sit or stand that is as far away from others as possible.
Who can I contact for more information?
Many questions can be answered by visiting RideMCTS.com or by calling our 24/7 automated information hotline at 414-344-6711.
You can also contact our Customer Service Center by phone at 414-937-3218 (Voice), 711 (TRS), or email "customerservice@mcts.org". Representatives are available to answer your questions Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Customers may retrieve lost articles left on the bus by appointment only. Please contact Customer Service Center at 414-937-3218 to arrange pickup.
For questions regarding Transit Plus service, please call 414-343-1700 (Voice), 711 (TRS), or email tpcomments@mcts.org.