Big Changes Coming To Nearly A Dozen MCTS Routes In June

MILWAUKEE, WI — Nearly a dozen MCTS bus routes will be changed or added on June 6 with the second phase of the MCTS NEXT program.

Routes 11, 12, 14, 21, 34, 53, 57, 58, 80, 88, and the PurpleLine will all be affected by this round of updates.

Riders can expect new weekend service, higher bus frequency, more connections, more routes and different stops along each route. The changes follow a three-year review process by Milwaukee County Transit System planners to better understand the county's transit needs, according to a news release by MCTS.

MCTS will add four routes: 11, 34, 58 and 88. They are all new and will significantly change the existing service for routes 12 and 80.

Certain branches of routes 12 and 80 will be eliminated and replaced. Riders used to routes 12 and 80 may now have to use one of the new services.

Route 11 will replace route 12 branch service on Hampton Ave. Route 88 will replace route 12 branch service on Brown Deer Rd.

Route 88 will also provide a completely new extended service to grocery stores at 124th and Bradley. Woodman's, Aldi and Sam's Club will now have direct bus service for the first time. Briggs and Stratton nearby will also be more accessible by route 88.

Route 34 will replace the Hopkins-Congress branch of route 80. Route 58 will replace the Villard branch of route 80.

These new routes will improve overall bus frequency and allow routes 12 and 80 to travel along a single corridor.

Bus stops will also be added or removed by the next phase of the MCTS NEXT project. Stops will be removed along routes 12, 14, 21, 53, 57 and 80 if they are too close together or not used often enough.

High frequency service will be altered on routes 80, 12 and the PurpleLine. Each route will have reduced wait times and will provide high frequency buses that go further along their respective corridors.

Overall, route frequency will go up. With the addition and overhaul of each route, buses will be used more efficiently across the system. This will knock down wait times overall. Weekend wait times for some routes will be cut in half, according to MCTS.

The changes coming June 6 are only the second phase of the MCTS NEXT plan. A third phase will change even more routes in August.

Many commuters will be impacted by the changes. Riders can visit the MCTS NEXT website or call 414-344-6711 for specific details on each change in English or Spanish.