Getting from A to B may become more difficult soon for Milwaukee area bus riders.
The Milwaukee County Transit System, or MCTS, is in the midst of an upheaval after leadership announced in mid-June that the system has a $10.4 million operating deficit: the result of low passenger revenue and unexpected expenses, officials say.
According to an MCTS news release the system will make changes to cut costs.
In other local transit news, it was announced on June 16 that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $21 million in grant funding to the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation, which operates MCTS.
Here is what you need to know.
Cuts in service
MCTS plans to reduce fall service starting Sunday, Aug. 24.
According to MCTS’s news release, “An approximately 20,000-hour reduction in service levels will be in effect through the end of the year.”
While no routes will be cut, bus service reductions will affect non-peak weekday high-frequency routes with the lowest ridership mid-day as well as frequency levels on Saturdays.
MCTS says specific route frequency changes for fall service will be announced soon.
Union votes to strike
Unhappy with the current stalemate in contract negotiations, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998, which represents MCTS drivers, voted on July 9 in favor of a strike.
Leadership changes
The turmoil at MCTS comes just a few weeks after Donna Brown-Martin, the head of the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation, resigned and announced her retirement. Julie Esch, interim managing director at MCTS, resigned from her position on July 8.
Steven Fuentes has been named president and CEO of Milwaukee Transport Services, which operates MCTS. Fuentes previously worked as a manager for the Chicago Transit Authority.
New grant funding
Leaders announced $21 million in new grant funding on July 16.
The funds will be used to support the PurpleLine, which runs north to south on 27th Street. The PurpleLine serves more than 1.2 million riders a year, according to a news release issued by Milwaukee County.
The route serves riders in Milwaukee and the Franklin, Greenfield, Glendale and Oak Creek suburbs.
Implementation of the improvements to the PurpleLine is expected in 2027.
What’s next
Amid frustration from county supervisors over news of the deficit being reported through the media before coming to their attention, County Comptroller Liz Sumner requested an audit of MCTS.
For more information
To follow service changes to bus lines, you can look at the MCTS website.
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