MCTS proposes 25% service reduction beginning in 2027 amid funding shortfall
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The Milwaukee County Transit System is proposing to reduce bus service hours by about 25% beginning in 2027 as federal COVID-19 relief funding comes to an end.
County leaders introduced the proposal Wednesday, saying the changes would help stretch available funding over the next three years while the transit system faces a funding shortfall.
Under the proposal, service hours would be reduced by about 25% in 2027 and remain at that level through the following two years. Officials said the plan would focus on providing more frequent service along higher-demand routes.
Some bus drivers spoke out against the proposal during Wednesday's meeting, saying fewer routes would lead to more crowded buses.
"You're cutting the routes, there's less buses out, so now there's standing room only on certain routes," bus driver Vicki Foster said.
Bus driver Latroy Dawson said the proposed cuts could impact rider safety.
"It's no way I should be driving a bus with 70 people every hour when we had buses that were coming every 10-15 minutes to keep elderly safe, to keep young people safe. We're not keeping them safe because you guys keep cutting the buses and service hours," Dawson said.
MCTS CEO Steve Fuentes said the proposal is driven by the agency's financial outlook.
"I wish I had the funding not to do that, but the other side of the coin is we're approaching future large budget deficits, so something has to be done," Fuentes said.
MCTS will use its final federal COVID-19 relief dollars this year. Officials said the agency does not have a dedicated funding source, while Milwaukee County is projecting a budget deficit of more than $50 million next year, with that gap expected to grow in future years.
"Every time something good goes away at MCTS it's because we couldn't afford it any longer, and that is all of our problems that we need to solve collectively," Fuentes said.
MCTS plans to gather public input before presenting a final proposal to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors for a vote in January.
