Wauwatosa Will Get New Rapid Bus Transit Line

WAUWATOSA, WI — A new rapid bus line will take riders back and forth between Wauwatosa and Milwaukee.

Gov. Tony Evers, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride and local leaders helped break ground at a Milwaukee County Transit System ceremony on Thursday morning.

MCTS announced its new East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, an electric bus route that would take riders between Wauwatosa and Milwaukee.

"The BRT will make it easier to get around while providing a more sustainable project," Evers said. "It's also going to boost the local economy. That's the most important thing now for the workers in our communities to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic."

"This BRT is a BFD," Crowley said. "We're here to celebrate a first of its kind undertaking in this state that will allow for more connections between major employment, education and recreation destinations throughout the county."

Transit officials said the nine-mile BRT route will pass through downtown Milwaukee, Marquette University, Milwaukee’s Near West Side, Wauwatosa and the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center.

The new route will operate mainly along Wisconsin Avenue, Bluemound Road and a part of 92nd Street, officials said. Over 30 bus stations will be located between the Milwaukee's lakefront and the Watertown Plank Road Park & Ride Lot.

Nova Bus, a transportation manufacturer that's part of the Volvo Group, will make 11 battery-electric buses that will run exclusively on the BRT route, officials said.

MCTS said that BRT service is expected to start in Fall 2022.