The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is making it easier than ever to ride the bus with the launch of a new contactless payment option that allows riders to pay their fare using a credit card, debit card, smartphone, or smartwatch.
Riders can simply tap their contactless payment method on the bus validator and go. This new feature makes it easy for visitors, tourists, or those without WisGo accounts to take the bus.
There are now many ways to pay for a bus ride:
- WisGo Card (full fare, reduced fare, CVP, UPass)
- Umo App (full fare, reduced fare, CVP, UPass)
- Contactless for full fare only (including Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover credit cards or debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, smartwatches and smartphones)
- Cash
“Adding more payment options to MCTS’ WisGo system represents a significant step forward in modernizing Milwaukee County’s transit system and enhancing the overall rider experience,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “By offering contactless payment for riders, we are creating a more accessible, efficient, and dynamic transportation network not only for Milwaukee County, but also for our WisGo public transit agency partners in Appleton, Beloit, Oshkosh, Racine, and Waukesha, who will have the opportunity to enhance their systems by
introducing this modern payment option. Efforts like this will allow MCTS to meet the needs of our community today and into the future."
“Introducing contactless payment is another step toward creating a smoother, more flexible experience for our bus riders,” MCTS President and CEO Steve Fuentes said. “Our goal is to make MCTS the best it can be while remaining fiscally sustainable, and contactless payment reflects that commitment. We look forward to continuing to explore and invest in new technologies as they become available for our riders.”
To ride more and pay less, riders should use the same payment method each time they ride to qualify for fare capping savings. With fare capping, riders never pay more than the daily, weekly, or monthly fare limit with no guesswork needed. For regular riders, the WisGo card and Umo app are often the best options to track their accounts. Individuals who qualify for reduced fare, students with UPasses, and employees who pay fare through the Commuter Value Pass (CVP) program need to use the WisGo card or Umo app to receive benefits.
Visitors and tourists especially benefit from the option to tap and pay using just about anything in their wallets. To help plan a trip to Milwaukee County, visit RideMCTS.com for info about destinations, fares, fare capping, and frequently asked questions.