MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Milwaukee County Transit System is proposing a 25% reduction in bus service beginning in 2027 as it faces a long-term budget deficit driven by rising costs, flat state funding and the expiration of federal pandemic aid.
Transit leaders unveiled the proposal Wednesday during a meeting of the Milwaukee County Board’s Committee on Transportation and Transit.
MCTS President and CEO Steve Fuentes said the goal is to stabilize the transit system while officials pursue a long-term funding solution. The system is anticipating a deficit by 2027 totaling between $17 and $20 million. Projections estimate that could grow to over $37 million by 2031.
“We want a system that’s stable, sustainable and scalable,” Fuentes told county supervisors. “If we find new money, increased funding or dedicated funding, we can grow this system.”
The proposed service reduction would remain in place for about three years, allowing MCTS to operate within funding levels it can reasonably expect from federal, state and local sources.
Transit officials have not yet determined whether the reductions would come through eliminating routes, reducing service frequency, or a combination of both.
Fuentes stressed that no final decisions have been made and said extensive public outreach will take place before a final proposal is presented.
“Nothing at this point has been determined,” Fuentes said. “I want everybody to know that. I want to be very clear, crystal clear. No new system has been decided on.”
The transit agency plans to gather public input through community meetings and outreach this summer and fall before presenting a final proposal to the Milwaukee County Board early next year.
At the same time, MCTS says it will continue lobbying state lawmakers for a dedicated funding source, arguing the transit system is critical to the region’s economy and workforce.
All of this comes as the county hired Portland-based consulting group Jarrett Walker & Associates to help MCTS with a network redesign. Those recommendations will continue to receive public feedback before a final redesign proposal would be voted on in the fall of next year.
