MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) was approved Thursday, Dec. 18, to roll out a two-phase service plan starting January 11, 2026. The plan is to maintain services for workers, students and the community. 

MCTS stated in a press release that instead of getting rid of six routes, they will be addressing MCTS' budget deficit by aiming to reduce service frequency on selected routes that have low ridership during non-peak hours. 

This plan is to not only allow MCTS to continue servicing neighborhoods, but to also manage anticipated financial shortfalls in 2027. MCTS will be utilizing resources allocated during the 2026 budget process to help sustain transit and paratransit services that riders use every day. 

The plan, named the 2026 MCTS Service Plan, is split into two phases - the Winter Service Plan and the Spring Service Plan. 

Phase one is to start January 11, 2026, and will maintain all existing routes. 

Phase two will begin on March 8, 2026, where MCTS will continue to streamline service and have long-term sustainability. 

This is to allow riders time to adjust to the reductions. 

PHASE I: WINTER SERVICE PLAN

• Five routes previously selected for segment elimination will continue current service levels. 
  • Route 11: Hampton Ave. 
  • Route 22: Center Street
  • Route 24: Forest Home -16th 
  • Route 80: 6th Street
  • Route 88: Brown Deer Road 
• Six routes originally planned for full elimination while continue to provide peak service. 
  • Route 20: S. 20th Street
  • Route 28: 108th Street
  • Route 33: Vliet – 84th
  • Route 34: Hopkins – Congress
  • Route 55: Layton Avenue
  • Route 58: Villard Avenue

In the Winter Service Plan, services will reduce frequency in service along 16 routes. 

Reduced Weekday Service: 

• Route 12: Teutonia Avenue
• Route 14: Humboldt – Wisconsin
• Route 31: State – Highland
• Route 51: Oklahoma Avenue
• Route 53: Lincoln Avenue
• Route 57: Walnut – Appleton
• Route 60: 60th Street
• Route 63: Silver Spring Drive

Reduced Saturday Service: 

• Route 18: National – Greenfield
• Route 19: M.L. King – S. 13th
• Route 21: North Avenue
• Route 31: State – Highland
• Route 59: Drexel Avenue
• Route 74: S. 43rd Street
• GreenLine: Bayshore – Airport
• PurpleLine: 27th Street
• RedLine: Capitol Drive

Reduced Sunday Service: 

• Route 31: State – Highland
• Route 59: Drexel Avenue
• Route 74: S. 43rd Street

PHASE II: SPRING SERVICE PLAN 

In the second round MCTS will continue to streamline service. They will be doing both segment and frequency reductions to the five routes previously planned for elimination: 

• Route 11: Hampton Avenue
• Route 22: Center Street
• Route 24: Forest Home – 16th
• Route 80: 6th Street
• Route 88: Brown Deer Road

MCTS will also be increasing their fares starting January 1, 2026. 

Single ride will be increasing from $2 to $2.75.

Reduced fare riders will see an increase from $1 to $1.25.