The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is the largest transit agency in Wisconsin, and is the primary transit provider for Milwaukee County. It ranks among the top 50 transit agencies in the United States for total passenger trips. The Milwaukee Transport Services, Inc. is a quasi-governmental agency responsible for the management and operation of the Milwaukee County Transit System. The county-run agency was formed in 1975 (under the direction of the "newly" created Milwaukee Transport Services, Inc.) after taking over the assets of the Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Company, a private operator.
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Bus fleet
MCTS operates a fleet of over 400 New Flyer low floor buses. All buses are 40 feet (12 m) long.
Fleet numbers
Active
Retired
Relationship with New Flyer
MCTS has had a very long and exclusive relationship with New Flyer since 1996, as their buses have all been first and second generation D40LFs. In Summer 2013 MCTS added 90 New Flyer Excelsiors to its lineup, thus continuing their partnership with NFI as their coach of choice. 55 were delivered in Summer 2013 & the additional 35 in 2014. On October 6, 2014, a Release of Request for Proposal for 75 new buses by the Milwaukee Transport Services, Inc., (MTS), was issued. An award on this contract was issued in December 2014 to New Flyer. The order calls for 75 new buses to be delivered within a 3 year delivery span that begins in 2015 and ending in 2017. In December 2015, MCTS tested a New Flyer Xcelsior that ran on electrically charged batteries that can operate for 120 miles. MCTS is looking at this pilot study as part of a plan to add more non-diesel buses to future fleet orders.
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Bus routes
Most of the year, MCTS operates more than 50 bus routes covering about 90% of Milwaukee County and parts of Waukesha County, Ozaukee County, and Washington County. In addition, special routes are run for certain festivals, sports games, and other special events.
Fares
As of December 2016, the adult, regular, non-discounted bus fare on MCTS is $2.25. For those that have an MoCard, the fare per ride is $1.75. Reduced and the fare for children are $1.10 for both cash and MoCard. A 1 day pass costs $4.00 for adults, while a weekly pass is $17.50 A monthly pass is $64, however beginning in January 2017, the fare will be increased to $72. Free transfers are given within 1 hour of paying fare.
In 2013, MCTS finalized plans for a transition from paper fare media (tickets, printed passes, and paper transfers) to a contactless smart card known as the MoCARD, with the project completion Leap Day 2016. While exact fares will still be accepted in cash, the MoCARD allows passengers to add daily, weekly, and monthly passes, store a declining value, and receive transfers automatically.
MoCARD Timeline and Transition Milestones
September 29, 2014: MoCARD passes (1, 7 or 31 day) launched at select sales outlets.
October 13, 2014: MoCARD customers were able to purchase Stored Cash Value.
April 6, 2015: MCTS begins issuing a one-time $2.00 charge fee for NEW! MoCARD purchase.
August 5, 2015: MoCARD Online launched.
November 16, 2015: MoCARD customers could purchase a 1-Day Pass from the farebox.
Coming 2016: MoCARD Lite (a disposable limited use smartcard) will be available to social service agencies and non-profit organizations.
As of February 29, 2016, the distribution of paper transfers and outlets that sell paper fare media was discontinued! Transfers are only available electronically (even for cash paying passengers), marking the beginning of an all MoCARD fare structure. Any remaining paper tickets were still accepted as fare through December 31, 2016.
The new fare system was funded predominantly by federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Other transit services
MCTS is a partner in the Southeast Wisconsin Transit System, a joint-venture transit partnership that also includes Waukesha Metro Transit and Wisconsin Coach Lines in Waukesha, Washington County Commuter Express operated by Riteway Bus Service in Richfield, Belle Urban System (THE BUS) in Racine and Kenosha Area Transit (KAT) in Kenosha.
Other projects
Regional Transit Authority
In 2010, a proposal to form a regional transit authority that would incorporate MCTS was made in the Wisconsin State Legislature. The move faced opposition from some lawmakers, and was vetoed by then Governor Doyle.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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