Name: MCTS fare increases coming in 2026 as federal funding dries up
Uploaded: 2025-12-06T05:13:01.744Z
Duration: 1 min 52 s
Description: Milwaukee County Transit System riders will face the first single-ride fare increase in nearly 20 years when prices jump from $2 to $2.75 in January 2026.

Milwaukee County Transit System riders will face the first single-ride fare increase in nearly 20 years when prices jump from $2 to $2.75 in January 2026.

Milwaukee

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) will implement fare increases in 2026, raising the single ride fare from $2 to $2.75, the first such hike in nearly 20 years. Fare capping limits for daily, weekly, and monthly passes will also rise, and several bus routes will be eliminated or modified as the system faces a budget shortfall following the end of American Rescue Plan funding.

MCTS riders have expressed concerns about both the increased costs and the reliability of service, with some emphasizing the need for improved on-time performance. The 2026 budget proposal indicates that further adjustments to the transit system may be necessary even after these changes take effect.

MCTS fare increases coming in 2026 as federal funding dries up

New fare increases coming for MCTS riders in 2026, the first single ride fare increase in nearly 20 years. I think it sucks because I just gave up my car to, you know, try the public transportation. Some riders concerned as the current $2 fare turns into $2.75 in January. It's not too bad. I mean, people got to get to work. The increase coming as American Rescue Plan funds MCTS has relied on for years are drying up, and the system is facing a budget shortfall. It's unfortunate. It's a little more expensive, but it still beats ride shares and all that, so we'll deal with it. And it's not just single rides. The fare capping system, which allows people to stop being charged after they spend a certain amount of money on rides in a set amount of time, also seeing an increase. The day limit going from $5 to $8, the weekly limit going from $20 to $33, and the monthly from $75 to $99. Riders I talked to more concerned with service. With the rate going up, the bus needs to be on time, more on time. According to MCTS's 2024 annual report, buses had an 81% on-time performance. Along with fares going up, some lines will be cut. The 20, 28, 33, 34, 55, and 58 will all be eliminated, those routes making up around 5% of MCTS ridership. Five routes will also be modified, including the 11, 22, 24, 80, and the 88. Now I have to make a new plan, I guess. People rarely ride the 33, so it probably wouldn't even be too much of an issue. For riders, changes might not be done. In their 2026 budget proposal, MCTS says even with the fare increases, MCTS will need to continue right-sizing the system in 2026 and beyond. In Milwaukee, Brendan Jones, TMJ4 News.

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