Milwaukee County Transit System
The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is the largest transit agency in Wisconsin, and is the primary transit provider for Milwaukee County. It ranks among the top 50 transit agencies in the United States for total passenger trips.[2] The Milwaukee Transport Services, Inc. is a quasi-governmental agency responsible for the management and operation of the Milwaukee County Transit System.[3] The county-run agency was formed in 1975 (under the direction of the "newly" created Milwaukee Transport Services, Inc.) after taking over the assets of the Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Company, a private operator.
 | |
 A pair of New Flyers, a second generation D40LFR (5101) and a 41-foot Xcelsior (5804), operating on Blue Line and Freeway Flyer route 40 in Downtown Milwaukee respectively. | |
| Parent | Milwaukee County Government |
|---|---|
| Founded | June 1, 1975 |
| Headquarters | 1942 North 17th St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Service area | Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Waukesha counties |
| Service type | Bus service |
| Routes | 50+ |
| Hubs | Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee Intermodal Station, Henry Maier Festival Park (Seasonal) |
| Stations | Kinnicknnic Ave Garage, Fond du Lac Ave Garage |
| Fleet | About 400 buses |
| Daily ridership | 151,000 (2011 avg. weekday)[1] |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Operator | Milwaukee Transport Services, Inc. |
| Website | Milwaukee County Transit System |
Accolades
MCTS is known for its bus drivers doing good deeds around the city of Milwaukee, such as rescuing lost children, helping people with disabilities cross busy streets, and much more. Videos of such acts have gone viral, placing MCTS in the national spotlight. This recognition has resulted in MCTS receiving honors from organizations such as PETA[4] to an Innovators Award from the American Public Transportation Association in July 2019.[5]
Response to COVID-19
Due to COVID-19, each bus is only allowed to carry 10 passengers. Once it reaches 10 passengers, the bus will drive pass stops. In this event, passengers must wait for the next bus. Face masks are not compulsory, but they are recommended. Passengers are also encouraged to limit interaction with the bus driver, and to use contactless fare forms, such as the M•CARD or Ride MCTS app. UBUS routes (40U, 44U and 49U), Freeway Flyers (40, 43, 44, 46, 48, 49 & 79), Route 137, which serves the House of Correction on Saturdays and Route 143 (Ozaukee County Express) are temporarily suspended until further notice. The MCTS Administration Building is also closed to visitors.[6]
Bus fleet
MCTS operates a fleet of 388 buses (341 New Flyer D40LFRs and Xcelsior XD40s, and 47 Gillig Low Floor BRTs). Almost all buses are 40 feet (12 m) long, with the exception of the 5800 series XD40s being 41 feet long. 28 of the new Gillig Low Floor Advantage BRT 40 ft coaches were delivered in 2019 are were all in active revenue service as of June 25, 2019,[7] marking Gillig's first return to the MCTS fleet in years. As of July 2019, all New Flyer D40LFs have been officially taken out of service, ending a 23-year run of original low floor buses on the streets of Milwaukee. As of June 2020, MCTS is currently in the process of entering the second set of Gillig Low Floor BRTs into service, which will account for 23 more buses; currently 19 buses from the second set are in revenue service.
Fleet numbers
Below are all the fleet numbers. Some are out of service due to bunch of accidents.
Active
| Numbers | Builder | Model | Delivered | Division | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5100-5189 | New Flyer | D40LFR | August 2010 | Fond du Lac (5100-5115)
Kinnickinnic (5116-5189) |
All active
First buses to feature near-zero emissions 5126 wrapped into MCTS 150 Years of Public Transportation livery 5174 was wrapped in a controversial anti-ICE mural for about a month.[8] |
| 5200-5234 | New Flyer | D40LFR | May 2011 | Fond du Lac | 5200-5218, 5220-5234 active
5219 retired early due to an accident at Marquette University on May 15, 2018.[9][10][11] |
| 5300-5354 | New Flyer | D40LFR | March 2012 | Fond du Lac | 5300-5333, 5335-5354 active
5334 retired early due to an engine fire at 76th and Layton on July 4, 2019.[12][13][14] |
| 5400-5454 | New Flyer | XD40 | July 2013 | Kinnickinnic (5400-5447)
Fond du Lac (5448-5454) |
All active
Clean air buses; first fleet in MCTS' history to feature rear destination signs on the back of the bus, diagonal windows and single seats in the front of the bus (interior). |
| 5500-5534 | New Flyer | XD40 | January 2014 | Fond du Lac | All active
Clean air buses |
| 5600-5627 | New Flyer | XD40 | October 2015 | Kinnickinnic (5600-5614, 5616-5617)
Fond du Lac (5615, 5618-5627) |
5600, 5602-5627 active
Clean air buses with new interior features, such as an automatically opening electronic smart door at the back of the bus.[15] 2 were canceled due to increased costs. NO 5628 & 5629. 5601 & 5603 used for demonstrations for MCTS Fleet Maintenance Tour. 5601 was first new bus in service on Route 19 on Friday October 2, 2015.[16] 5601 had an engine fire on March 1, 2020 at 27th and Fond du Lac. Returning to service is therefore unknown. |
| 5700-5729 | New Flyer | XD40 | August 2016 | Fond du Lac (5700-5719)
Kinnickinnic (5720-5729) |
All active
5713 features a white front LED destination sign 5729 features the Quantum Securement System, which automatically secures wheelchairs and scooters.[17] All in service as of Dec. 2, 2016. |
| 5800-5814 | New Flyer | XD40 | September 2017 | Kinnickinnic | All active
Buses are 41 feet long. 5801 on display on Aug. 16, 2017 at the Newaukee Festival Market in Downtown Milwaukee. 5807, 5813 used for demonstrations for MCTS Fleet Maintenance Tour. 5814 in service as of November 11, 2017. NO 5815, 5816. |
| 5900-5927 | Gillig | Advantage BRT | June 2019 | Fond du Lac | All active as of June 25, 2019
First buses to have white LED destination signs (with the exception of 5713), heated side mirrors, and new anti-slip floors The first set of a 50-bus order from Gillig |
| 6000-6022 | Gillig | Advantage BRT | May-June 2020 | Kinnickinnic | 6000-6018 active
6019-6022 still being delivered and entered into service Have been seen on all routes operating from Kinnickinnic except Route 14 (Route 14 usually uses 5100 series buses due to an issue with the height of the sidewalks on the 16th Street viaduct) The second set of a 50-bus order from Gillig |
| 6100- | Nova Bus | LFSe | TBD | first battery/electric fleet |
Retired Bus Vehicles
These are bus vehicles that have retired over the years.
| Numbers | Builder | Model | Delivered | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4000-4145 | New Flyer | D40LF | January-March 1996
(4000-4075)
(4076-4110)
(4111-4145) |
2010 | |
| 4200-4208 | New Flyer | D30LF | 1997 | 2010 | |
| 4300-4389 | New Flyer | D40LF | 2000 | 2014-2016 | |
| 4400-4468 | New Flyer | D40LF | 2001 | 2014-2015 | All retired
Originally retired in 2014. 4417, 4434, 4466 returned to service in Jan. 2015, 4426 returned to service for a period of time, and re-retired in Sept 2015. 4426, 4439 & 4447 were converted as fare collection buses for Summerfest & Wisconsin State Fair for 2 seasons (2014-2015). |
| 4500-4519 | New Flyer | D30LF | 2002 | 2012 | 4501, 4507, 4510, [] went to Sheboygan after 2012 |
| 4600-4639 | New Flyer | D40LF | April 2002 | 2016 | All retired
4607, 4614, 4617, 4626, 4632, 4633 & 4639 were converted as fare collection buses for Summerfest & Wisconsin State Fair for 2 seasons (2014-2015). 4636 returned to service in July 2017 during Summerfest and retired after that. |
| 4700-4750 | New Flyer | D40LF | Feb. 2003 | July 2019 | All Retired
4701, 4702, 4706, 4728 & 4743 returned to service from Wednesday, June 28 to Friday July 7, 2017 during Summerfest and retired after that. 4733 was the last remaining 4700-series bus with the old MCTS color scheme (Now Retired) |
| 4800-4829 | New Flyer | D40LF | January 2004 | July 2019 | All Retired
4801 was converted to a fare collection bus for Summerfest 2019 4811 was the only remaining 4800-series bus with the old MCTS color scheme (Now Retired) |
| 4900-4914 | New Flyer | D40LF | October 2004 | June 2019 | All Retired
Officially "2005" as that is when they were paid for; a future purchase for 15 more buses (4915-4929) were canceled due to cuts. 4913 Involved in a Crash at Harley Davidson Headquarters in January 2010, Repaired and Returned to Service |
| 5000-5008 | New Flyer | D40LF | January 2006 | June 2019 | All Retired
A future purchase for 23 buses (5009-5031) were canceled due to cuts. 5008 retired early due to engine issues |
Active Bus Routes
These are bus routes that are still active. Routes 40, 40U, 43, 44, 44U, 46, 48, 49, 49U, 137 and 143 are temporarily suspended until further notice.
| Route Number | Name | First Stop | Last Stop | Division | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Teutonia-Hampton | Downtown Intermodal Station | Hampton/124th
Park Plaza-66th Street + Brown Deer |
Fond du Lac | |
| 14 | Humboldt-Forest Home | Southridge Mall | Bayshore Town Center | Kinnickinnic | |
| 15 | Holton-Kinnickinnic | Chicago & Drexel | Bayshore Town Center | Kinnickinnic | |
| 19 | M.L.K Jr. Dr./S. 13th & S. 20th | College via S. 13th Street
College via S. 20th Street |
Silver Spring | Kinnickinnic | |
| 21 | North Avenue | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Weekdays Fall/Winter/Spring) (Doesn't go here in Summer)
Lake Drive & Water Tower (Summer Weekdays and all Weekends/Holidays) |
Mayfair Mall
Center & 114th Street (Weekdays Fall/Winter/Spring) (Doesn't go here in Summer) |
Fond du Lac | |
| 22 | Center-92nd Street | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | 92nd/Grantosa | Fond du Lac | |
| 28 | 108th Street | Layton Avenue (Hales Corners P+R Lot) | Silver Spring/Lovers Lane | Fond du Lac | |
| 30 | Sherman-Wisconsin | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Sherman/Mill | Fond du Lac | |
| 31 | State-Highland | Downtown Intermodal Station | Innovation Drive
Mayfair Mall |
Fond du Lac | |
| 33 | Vliet-Juneau | Prospect & State | 60th Street & Vliet | Kinnickinnic | |
| 35 | 35th Street | Loomis/Howard | Teutonia/Good Hope (Weeknights, Saturday afternoons, and Sundays/Holidays)
Teutonia/Good Hope via Aurora Health Center (Weekdays and Saturday mornings) |
Fond du Lac | |
| 40 | College Avenue Flyer | Wells & 9th Street | College Park & Ride Northeast | Kinnickinnic | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 40U | Holt-College UBUS | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | College Park & Ride Southwest
Milwaukee Area Technical College South |
Kinnickinnic | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 43 | Hales Corners Flyer | Wells & 9th Street | Hales Corners Park & Ride | Kinnickinnic | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 44 | State Fair Park Flyer | Wisconsin & Cass | 76th Street & Kearney | Fond du Lac | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 44U | Fair Park-Hales Corners UBUS | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Hales Corners Park & Ride | Kinnickinnic | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 46 | Loomis-Holt Flyer | Wells & 9th Street | Holt Park & Ride
Loomis Park & Ride |
Kinnickinnic | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 48 | South Shore Flyer | Wells & 9th Street | Chicago & Drexel | Kinnickinnic | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 49 | Brown Deer-Bayshore Flyer | Kilbourn & 6th Street | Bayshore Park & Ride
Brown Deer Park & Ride East |
Fond du Lac | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 49U | Brown Deer UBUS | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Brown Deer Park & Ride East | Fond du Lac | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 51 | Oklahoma Avenue | New York-Delaware & Oklahoma | Oklahoma & 123rd Street | Kinnickinnic | |
| 52 | Clement-15th Avenue | Chicago & Drexel | Kinnickinnic & Mitchell | Kinnickinnic | |
| 53 | Lincoln Avenue | Bay & Conway | Lincoln & 114th Street | Kinnickinnic | |
| 54 | Mitchell-Burnham | United Migrant Opportunity Services (Weekdays)
Kinnickinnic & Mitchell (Weeknights and Weekends/Holidays) |
National & 112th Street | Kinnickinnic | |
| 55 | Layton Avenue | Lake & Warnimont Park
Lipton & Kinnickinnic |
108th-Hales Corners P+R | Kinnickinnic | |
| 56 | Greenfield Avenue | 1st Street & Maple | Greenfield & 121st Street | Kinnickinnic | |
| 57 | Walnut-Appleton | Downtown Intermodal Station | Lovers Lane & Silver Spring | Fond du Lac | |
| 60 | Burleigh Street | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Weekdays Fall/Winter/Spring)
Humboldt & Locust (Summer Weekdays and all Weekends/Holidays) |
Feerick & 124th Street | Fond du Lac | |
| 63 | Silver Spring Drive-Port Washington | Lovers Lane & Silver Spring | Port Washington Rd-Brown Deer East P&R | Fond du Lac | |
| 64 | 60th Street | Southridge Mall | Vliet & 60th Street | Kinnickinnic | |
| 65 | Starting in 2021 | ||||
| 67 | N. 76th-S. 84th & S. 92nd | Layton via S. 84th Street
Layton via S. 92nd Street |
Northridge Lakes & 76th Street | Fond du Lac | |
| 76 | N. 60th-S. 68th & S. 76th | Southridge via 68th Street
Southridge via 76th Street |
Brown Deer/96th | Fond du Lac | |
| 79 | Menomonee Falls Flyer | Wisconsin & Cass | Pilgrim Road Park & Ride | Fond du Lac | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 80 | 6th Street | Capitol/35th via Hopkins
Villard/Appleton via Green Bay |
Oak Creek via Airport + MATC (Weekdays)
Milwaukee Area Technical College South (Weekdays) Oak Creek via Airport (Weekends/Holidays) General Mitchell Int'l Airport |
Kinnickinnic | |
| 88 | Starting in 2021 | ||||
| 137 | County Correctional Facility South | Wells & 9th Street | House of Correction | Kinnickinnic | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| 143 | Ozaukee County Express | Walnut & 5th Street | Saukville Park & Ride | Fond du Lac | Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| RR1 | Ronald Reagan HS via Route 19 | Silver Spring & 35th Street | Reagan HS | Won't start until 2021/schools closed due to COVID-19 | |
| RR2 | Ronald Reagan HS via PurpleLine | Layton Boulevard & National | Reagan HS | Won't start until 2021/schools closed due to COVID-19 | |
| RR3 | Ronald Reagan HS via BlueLine | Fond du Lac & Congress | Reagan HS | Won't start until 2021/schools closed due to COVID-19 | |
| BlueLine | Fond du Lac-National | National/70th | Good Hope/91st via Congress
Good Hope/107th via Mill Road |
Fond du Lac | |
| GoldLine | UWM-Wisconsin Avenue | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Brookfield Square | Fond du Lac | |
| GreenLine | Bayshore-Airport (via Oakland-Howell) | General Mitchell Int'l Airport | Bayshore Town Center | Kinnickinnic | |
| PurpleLine | 27th Street | Baker & Camden | Drexel-IKEA via S. 35th
College/Walmart (S. 27th Street only) |
Kinnickinnic | |
| RedLine | Capitol Drive | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | 127th Street Pick 'N Save Parking Lot | Fond du Lac | |
Other transit services
MCTS is a partner in the Southeast Wisconsin Transit System, a joint-venture transit partnership that also includes Waukesha Metro Transit and Wisconsin Coach Lines in Waukesha, Washington County Commuter Express operated by Riteway Bus Service in Richfield, Belle Urban System (THE BUS) in Racine and Kenosha Area Transit (KAT) in Kenosha.
Other projects
MCTS NEXT
MCTS is looking to provide "faster service with more connections and increased accessibility".[18] This project, under the name "MCTS NEXT", seeks to implement more high-frequency bus routes, while potentially eliminating lower-frequency routes. This would likely result in an overhaul of the transit system, with major changes including increased service on popular thoroughfares, routes being renamed, and some corridors not receiving bus service anymore. In July 2020, MCTS will be seeking approval from Milwaukee County. Upon approval, MCTS will roll out system changes incrementally beginning in 2021, while also beginning community outreach efforts to inform the public.[19]
East-West BRT (Bus Rapid Transit)
The East-West BRT is a 9-mile planned route that would run along Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee and Bluemound Road in Wauwatosa, connecting riders from Downtown Milwaukee and Marquette University to the west side of the city to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC).[20] Its goal is to connect thousands of people to and from work, universities and recreational centers. As of late 2018, the project design is being finalized, and the BRT route should begin service in 2021. It is estimated that by 2035, the East-West BRT route would average more than 9,500 weekday riders.[21]
Regional Transit Authority
In 2010, a proposal to form a regional transit authority that would incorporate MCTS was made in the Wisconsin State Legislature. The move faced opposition from some lawmakers, and was vetoed by then Governor Doyle.[22]
See also
- Milwaukee Streetcar
References
- "About Us > FAQs". Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS). 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-05.
- 2013 Public Transportation Fact Book (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. October 2013. p. 8. Archived from the original (pdf) on 2013-12-28. Retrieved 2014-12-06.
- {http://www.ridemcts.com/about-us/who-is-mcts-}
- "PETA honors MCTS bus driver who saved turtle" from WDJT (Weigel Broadcasting) (July 8, 2019)
- "‘MCTS Excellence’ Video Series Honored with Prestigious National Award" from Urban Milwaukee (July 21, 2019)
- "MCTS Updates on Coronavirus or COVID-19". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- "Milwaukee County advances grant request for BRT hybrids, orders more diesel buses" from Milwaukee Business Journal (June 6, 2018)
- https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2019/08/14/bus-mural-on-immigration-draws-flak/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrYymBL2ZsE
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E7xuJWM1_0
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kshxXvMaqk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx27592P2h8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0SQMgdXtjk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmM8bGxkyj0
- riedmcts.com/about-us/news/new-mcts-buses-hitting-the-road
- ridemcts.com/about-us/news/new-mcts-buses-hitting-the-road
- "Ride MCTS | Rider Information | New Freedom". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- "MCTS NEXT". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
- "Latest Updates". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- "Ride MCTS | About MCTS | News". www.ridemcts.com. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
- "Home". www.eastwestbrt.com. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
- Sandler, Larry; Stein, Jason (March 3, 2010). "Bill could have public paying again for buses". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.