Second phase of MCTS NEXT system redesign takes effect June 6

The second phase of the Milwaukee County Transit System’s (MCTS) MCTS NEXT system redesign begins June 6. 

The second phase includes improvements, additions and adjustments to several bus routes and the PurpleLine. 

MCTS NEXT is an effort to update the route network, improve the rider experience and meet the community’s modern needs. The project aligns with Milwaukee County’s mission to advance racial equity and enhance the quality of life through great public service. 

The first phase of MCTS NEXT, which kicked off in March 2021, brought improvements to the system including 13 percent more high frequency service and five percent more trips across the board. In the first few weeks, ridership on the new and improved routes has already seen an increase.  

The second phase of MCTS NEXT will bring additional benefits, including: 

• More high-frequency service: Route 80’s high frequency service will be extended north of Locust Street to Florist Avenue. Route 12’s high frequency service will be extended north of Hampton Avenue all the way to Brown Deer Road. The PurpleLine’s high frequency service will be extended to include new routing on the northern end to Bayshore. There will also be more frequent service on Hampton Avenue, Hopkins Street, Villard Avenue and Brown Deer Road compared to what is currently available along these corridors. 
• Better connections to jobs and grocery stores: Four new routes will provide additional routing options for passengers.  Route 88 will provide brand new service to and from Woodman’s, Sam’s Club and Aldi at 124th & Bradley as well as Briggs & Stratton nearby. This is the first time employees and shoppers will be able to access these destinations by MCTS bus. Route 12 will now provide more direct service to destinations like the Milwaukee Public Museum, the Milwaukee County Courthouse and MATC. 
• Improved service on weekends: This includes improvements to weekend service on Routes 11, 12, 34, 58, 80, and 88.  
• Simpler routing that is more direct and easier-to-understand: Routes 12 and 80 will be adjusted to provide more frequent service along a single corridor instead of being “branched” onto multiple streets with low frequency service like they are now. Route 12 service on the Hampton Avenue branch will be replaced by a new route, Route 11. Service on Brown Deer Road between Green Bay Road and 66th-Park Plaza will be replaced by a new, expanded route, Route 88. Route 80 service on the Hopkins Street branch will be replaced by a new, expanded route, Route 34. Service on the Villard Avenue branch will be replaced by a new, expanded route, Route 58. 
• Faster service by properly balancing bus stops: Bus stops along Routes 12, 14, 21, 53, 57, and 80 are properly balanced. 

In addition to making this information about MCTS NEXT available online and via phone 24 hours a day, MCTS launched an English and Spanish-language advertising campaign on buses, bus shelters, billboards, radio, newspapers, news websites and social media. There are also audio announcements playing onboard buses, informative bus stop signage, MCTS NEXT-focused passenger newsletters, virtual meetings and other communications efforts to inform the community. 

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 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 feedback helped shape plans that will improve the overall system and advance racial equity by increasing access for people of color to employment, education, healthcare, grocery stores and other essential destinations.  

Phase Two of MCTS NEXT will be followed by Phase Three on Aug. 29, 2021, impacting an additional 11 routes.