Milwaukee County Transit System
Encyclopedia
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
. The county-run agency was formed in 1975 after it took over the assets of the Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Company, a private operator.
Advantage low floor buses dedicated to the Ozaukee County Express (Route 143).
Most of the year, MCTS operates more than 50 bus routes covering about 90% of Milwaukee County and parts of Waukesha County
and Ozaukee County. In addition, special routes are run for certain festivals, sports games, and other special events.
As of January 3, 2010, the adult, regular, non-discounted bus fare on MCTS is $2.25. 10 pack tickets or a weekly pass can be purchased for $17.50. A monthly pass is $64.00. Free transfers are given within 2 hours of paying fare.
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
.
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.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, and is the primary transit provider for Milwaukee county. It ranks among the top 50 transit agencies in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The county-run agency was formed in 1975 after it took over the assets of the Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Company, a private operator.
Bus fleet
MCTS operates a fleet of 416 New Flyer low floor buses, 387 (384 active; 3 inactive) of them 40ft and 29 (12 active; 17 inactive) of them 30ft., including 5 GilligGillig
Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:...
Advantage low floor buses dedicated to the Ozaukee County Express (Route 143).
Currently in use
- 4300-4389: D40LF, delivered 2000; Currently, 39 of these buses are equipped with an Automatic Passenger Counting System from a company called InfoDev
- 4400-4468: D40LF, delivered 2001
- 4500-4519: D30LF, delivered 2002
- 4600-4639: D40LF, delivered 2002
- 4700-4750: D40LF, delivered 2003
- 4800-4829: D40LF, delivered 2004
- 4900-4914: D40LF, delivered late 2004 (officially, these buses are recognized as 2005 buses, as that is when the buses were paid for)
- 5000-5008: D40LF, delivered January 2006
- 5100-5189: D40LFR, delivered July 2010 and the first fleet to feature near-zero emissions
- 1000-1004: Gillig Advantage, delivered 2002
Inactive
- D40LF: 4306, 4310, 4361, 4384, 4604
- D30LF: 4500, 4501, 4502, 4506, 4509, 4512, 4516, 4517
Retired
- 4000-4145: D40LF, delivered 1996; retired 2011
- 4200-4208: D30LF, delivered 1997; retired 2010
Future Fleet
- In July 2009 MCTS announced that it has added 180 new 40ft buses from New Flyer. The first 90 buses arrived in May 2010 to replace the first generation D40LFs from the 1996 order. This was followed in November 2009 by an additional order for 90 new 40ft buses from New Flyer to arrive in 2011 (to replace the 2000 orders), thus continuing MCTS' relationship with the bus manufacturer.
Bus routes and fares
See List of MCTS Bus RoutesMost of the year, MCTS operates more than 50 bus routes covering about 90% of Milwaukee County and parts of Waukesha County
Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Waukesha County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2008, the population was 380,629. Its county seat is Waukesha.-History:The part of Wisconsin that Waukesha County now occupies was a part of Michigan when Milwaukee County was organized in September 1834. On July 4, 1836, the...
and Ozaukee County. In addition, special routes are run for certain festivals, sports games, and other special events.
As of January 3, 2010, the adult, regular, non-discounted bus fare on MCTS is $2.25. 10 pack tickets or a weekly pass can be purchased for $17.50. A monthly pass is $64.00. Free transfers are given within 2 hours of paying fare.
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 LinesWisconsin Coach Lines
Wisconsin Coach Lines is a commuter bus service, intercity carrier, and school bus company based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. WCL, founded in 1941 as Waukesha Transit Lines, is a subsidiary of Coach USA.- Overview :...
in Waukesha
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
, Washington County Commuter Express
Washington County Commuter Express
Washington County Commuter Express is a contracted transportation service that provides service between Milwaukee and Washington counties. WCCE, which is a partner in the Southeast Wisconsin Transit System, is funded by Washington County and operated by Riteway Transportation in Richfield,...
operated by Riteway Bus Service
Riteway Bus Service
Riteway Bus Service is a commuter bus service, limo service and school bus service provider based in Richfield, Wisconsin. Riteway founded in 1957, now entering its third generation of family leadership, continues to expand and provide transportation for business travelers, tourists, students and...
in Richfield
Richfield, Wisconsin
Richfield is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Wisconsin:*Richfield, Adams County, Wisconsin*Richfield, Washington County, Wisconsin*Richfield, Wood County, Wisconsin...
, Belle Urban System
Belle Urban System
The Belle Urban System is a public transit agency in Racine, Wisconsin. The Belle referring to Racine's nickname "The Belle City"....
(THE BUS) in Racine
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
and Kenosha Area Transit
Kenosha Transit
Kenosha Area Transit is a city-owned public transportation agency based in Kenosha, Wisconsin.The system, which is part of the Southeast Wisconsin Transit System, maintains a fleet of 68 buses and five streetcars operating on 10 bus routes and one streetcar route throughout the city and outlying...
(KAT) in Kenosha
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
.
Future Projects
MCTS is currently involved in the Milwaukee Streetcar project, which is planning a streetcar line between Milwaukee's downtown and East Side neighborhoods. The streetcar project is being led by the city of Milwaukee after the failure of earlier guided bus and BRT proposals to gain political approval.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.