'I’ll be paying a lot more': Milwaukee bus riders react to fare increase

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - Starting January 1, 2026, Milwaukee County’s adult bus fare will increase from $2.00 to $2.75, and many riders who rely on public transit every day say the change will make a difference in how they get around.

Riders told CBS 58 they use the bus daily for work, school, and basic transportation needs.

“Oh, every day,” said rider Nathan Walczak.

“Pretty much every day I use it to get to work, to get to school,” added Haylan Blanchard.

“All the time,” said Devon Devis.

The fare increase comes as the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) faces a budget shortfall. The system has been relying on federal pandemic relief funds, which are running out.

Some riders say the timing is difficult, especially as households across Wisconsin deal with reductions to FoodShare benefits.

“It impacts me in a very different type of way for our people especially with food stamps taken away… I think it’s very hard for everyone who is facing this right now,” Devis said.

Fare capping limits also increasing. 

Along with the base fare increase, MCTS is raising its fare capping limits - the maximum amount riders pay before additional rides become free.

For riders who rely on the bus as their only transportation, those changes mean adjusting their budgets.

“People that are scrounging up two dollars and now they’re like, oh crap, now I have to find three quarters to be able to ride it,” Walczak said.

Others say they understand why fares are going up.

Students also expect the changes to affect costs later in the year.

“Since I’m a student I get the pass for free, but during the summer that doesn’t apply… I’ll be paying a lot more with that plus the fare cap increases,” Blanchard said.

CBS 58 reached out to MCTS for comment and has not heard back.