FAQs

• Benefits of MCTS NEXT include a larger number of high frequency routes offered across our system!
• Increasing frequency means buses come more often.
  • For example, a route is High Frequency if its buses arrive every 15 minutes, if not more often. A route is Low Frequency if its buses arrive with longer wait times.
  • With High Frequency routes, you don’t even need to check the schedule, because you know a bus will be pulling up soon!
• Currently, the MCTS system is composed of 40% high frequency routes and 60% low frequency routes. Once MCTS NEXT is fully implemented, those numbers will swap. We’ll have 60% high frequency, and 40% low frequency.

• The majority of riders have told us they want faster service – and they’re willing to walk a little extra to get it. That’s why our team is working hard to make sure bus stops are spaced appropriately – or ‘balanced.’
• Bus stop balancing means shortening your travel time by judiciously removing some stops that are too close to each other, are not used often, or do not meet standards for being accessible to persons with disabilities. It also makes it possible to reallocate bus shelters to busier stops.
• On a local bus route, bus stops should be within a convenient walking distance of each other – about a quarter-mile. When bus stops are spaced more tightly than that, service slows down to a crawl. Just think: by the time a bus accelerates away from a stop, it’s time to start slowing down for the next stop. That means it takes a longer time to get you to your destination.
• Buses will continue to serve stops at key destinations and points of interest such as:
  • Transfer corners
  • Major employers, medical facilities, senior centers, and residences for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
  • Bus stops regularly used by riders with mobility devices
• Properly balanced bus stops can help make service faster and more reliable for everyone, while still preserving convenience and walkability.

• MCTS spent nearly three years conducting a comprehensive review of the entire transit system. Planners examined and evaluated every route and bus stop across the MCTS service area to identify opportunities for improvements, enhanced efficiency, and faster service.
• A massive public outreach effort – including 13 open house events and more than 40 stakeholder meetings – resulted in hundreds of comments and thousands of interactions with passengers, bus drivers, businesses, community groups, and elected officials.
• Additionally, MCTS received input from the Milwaukee County Office on African American Affairs (OAAA). This valuable feedback helped shape plans that will advance racial equity by improving access for people of color to employment, education, healthcare, grocery stores, and other essential destinations.

• Changes and improvements related to MCTS NEXT will roll out in three phases.
• Phase 1 takes effect on March 7, 2021 and will include: Routes 15, 19, 20, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 63, 68.
• Phase 2 takes effect on June 6, 2021 and will include: PurpleLine, Routes 11, 12, 14, 21, 34, 53, 57, 58, 80, 88.
• Phase 3 takes effect on August 29, 2021 and will include: BlueLine, Routes 18, 22, 28, 54, 55, 56, 60, 66, 76, 92.

MCTS NEXT is cost-neutral – meaning it was created based on the existing budget to ensure that operating costs remain consistent. For the purposes of this project, we did not factor in any additional funding.

MCTS NEXT is focused on the seven day a week fixed routes that make up 90% of MCTS service. Freeway Flyers, UBUS service, and special service to events like Brewers games, Summerfest and State Fair are not part of MCTS NEXT.

MCTS's door-to-door van and taxi ParaTransit services will remain unchanged.

However, we understand that some of our Transit Plus clients ride fixed route buses. That's why our team is working hard to communicate all upcoming changes related to MCTS NEXT.

Outreach Activities to Transit Plus Clients Include:

• Bilingual post card to Transit Plus clients informing them about MCTS NEXT.
• Targeted research of organizations, schools, community centers, senior centers, low income or senior housing facilities and other community partners along corridors of the routes changing. Provided information so they can share it with residents, staff or program participants.
• Included messaging in "Handy News and Notes" newsletter.
• Presented information to schools and senior residences during virtual outreach meetings.
• MCTS Planners spoke to members of the Transit Plus Advisory Committee (TPAC).
• Mailed new MCTS NEXT maps and printed materials to customers.