Parking & Transit News
New! Monthly Parking @ Pavilion Garage, $60
Effective April 1st. 2012, Faculty/Staff can purchase $60 monthly parking permit for the Pavilion Garage, good on the third level only, no refunds, no replacement, no pre-tax or payroll deduction and can purchase no more than four months at a time.
UWM: Best Workplace for Commuters
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has been designated as one of the BEST Workplaces for commuters by the National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida for meeting the National Standard of Excellence for outstanding commuter benefits. These benefits promote energy conservation by reducting traffic congestion and related air pollution.
UPARK
The Capitol / Humboldt UPARK lot is the only UPARK lot available.
Northwest Quadrant Parking Garage
The parking structure located at the Northwest Quadrant (formerly Columbia Hospital ) is reserved for student parking only. Parking is free to students with a valid UWM Student ID (required to enter the garage). Northwest Quadrant surface parking lots are available (parking rates apply) to the public, visitors, faculty and staff.
Parking Rates
Current On Campus Parking Rates are available online! Follow the link for information about parking rates at UWM.
U-PASS
U-PASS is your pass to cash! Pick up your U-PASS at the Parking & Transit Office on the ground floor of the Student Union and take advantage of its many perks today. U-PASS is already paid for in your student fees: You just need to pick it up! With U-PASS, UWM students get unlimited rides on the Milwaukee County Transit System. Just show it to the driver when you get on board.
New Shuttle to School of Freshwater Sciences!
UWM will be providing shuttle bus service from the Kenwood Campus (Union & Golda Meir Library) to the School of Freshwater Sciences at 600 E Greenfield Avenue. The shuttle schedule is arranged around classes scheduled at the school and will run at different times Mondays through Thursdays. The shuttle schedule can be accessed from the link on this page (upper right).
MCTS News
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MCTS Award Winning Operators
We are proud that our bus drivers provide safe and courteous transportation every day of the year. It is time that we recognize the efforts that are made, especially when someone goes above and beyond.
The following are bus drivers who were spotted doing an excellent job of customer service. It might have been something simple, like giving good directions to a new rider or something extraordinary like, quickly reporting a traffic accident they just witnessed so emergency responders could assist. Each day we receive commendations from MCTS customers, recognizing our drivers for going that extra mile.
The following bus operators are among those who have received the MCTS Operator’s Award of Excellent Customer Service. Maybe one of them you already know and they provided you with excellent transportation! Check back periodically to see more award winning operators and click here to view how to submit commendations.
Scott
A customer reported that he rides public transportation throughout the country and this operator is the best. He is nice, professional and friendly to everyone. The operator took the time to explain directions and provided time points for customers with questions. He also announced streets and connecting routes.
J.L.
A customer left her purse on bus containing a GPS, debit card, driver's license and more than $100 in cash. The operator kept it safe and returned it all intact. The customer stated this operator is always pleasant and she is extremely grateful for his actions.
Marcus
A customer reported this operator is phenomenal. He assisted a customer with a scooter and made sure it was secured properly. The driver was observed sweeping and disposing of litter on the bus. He made a special announcement and assisted a visually impaired customer at a difficult bus stop. He also pulled over and waited for a customer running for the bus. This operator is consistently considerate to all customers.
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Bike To Work With MCTS
Bike to Work Week is May 14-18. Participating bike commuters can use Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bike racks on buses, a great way to expand their travel plan. Each rack holds two bikes, and use is free with a paid bus fare.
Riding the bus part of the way can shorten a bike commute, making it even easier to leave your car at home. The bus also provides bikers with sheltered transportation in case of inclement weather.
For those who will use the bike rack on the bus for the first time, a “how-to” guide, Bikes on Buses, can be found in local MCTS route information racks or visit RideMCTS.com/How-to-ride/Bikes-on-Buses for easy instructions. Riders should remember to always tell the operator when they are loading and unloading their bikes.
By providing bike racks, MCTS is able to give customers a public transportation option that promotes a more sustainable and healthier lifestyle. The ability to bring their bike on the bus makes it easier for MCTS passengers to get to work, enjoy a bike ride on their lunch break, or include biking home from work in their exercise routine.
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MCTS Wants Your Feedback Regarding the New MetroEXpress Routes
We would like to know what you think about the new MetroEXpress routes (RedLine, BlueLine, and GreenLine) that began in January. As you may recall, the MetroEXpress routes were created using a two-year grant from the Federal Government; this grant also made up for a significant loss of funds from the state, and allowed MCTS to keep several routes from being eliminated. We sincerely appreciate your patience and continued ridership during this transition. We understand that changes in service greatly affect how you use transit. The answers you provide today will help us decide how to serve you better in the future. Thank you for your time.
To take the survey online, please click here or copy and paste the link below into your browser.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGRkOVZhWG02QkdLLTA4bHBTVEI3MEE6MA
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MCTS Wants Your Feedback Regarding the Recent Changes to Local Routes
We would like to know what you think about the changes in local transit service that began in January. As you may recall, MCTS was initially faced with a major loss of funds from the state. This would have resulted in the elimination of several routes and numerous route changes throughout the county. This situation was avoided when MCTS applied for, and was awarded, a two-year grant from the Federal Government. These funds had to be used to create express service (the MetroEXpress RedLine, BlueLine, and GreenLine). They allowed MCTS to keep several routes from being eliminated, but it required that some routes needed to be changed. We sincerely appreciate your patience and continued ridership during this transition. We understand that changes in service greatly affect how you use transit. The answers you provide today will help us decide how to serve you better in the future. Thank you for your time.
To take the survey online, please click here or copy and paste the link below into your browser.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dE04UWI4MzVXWlR6Z1I1SnhLc3psRmc6MQ
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Ride Route 90 to Brewers Home Games
Let’s Go Brewers! Riders can catch a Rt. 90 (Miller Park) bus on Wisconsin Avenue from the Downtown Transit Center to Miller Park starting with the home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday April 6th.
Provided for all Brewers home games, Rt. 90 begins service two hours before game time. Electronic destination signs display “90 Let’s Go Brewers!” Buses will operate approximately every 30 minutes during all home games. For the home opener and Marquee games with projected heavy attendance, buses will operate more frequently.
Rt. 90 begins at the Downtown Transit Center and makes stops along Wisconsin Avenue from Van Buren Street to 38th Street, except where the bus detours during construction on the Milwaukee River Bridge. Rt. 90 drops off passengers at the MCTS Transit Area on Yount Drive on the north side of Miller Park. Return trips operate from Yount Drive along Wisconsin Avenue to the Downtown Transit Center. Buses leave from the MCTS Transit Area at Miller Park until a half hour after the game is over. On the return trip, buses serve all eastbound bus stops.
Click here for more information: Route 90 (Miller Park)
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Why we need a good public transit system in Milwaukee County
MCTS Managing Director Lloyd Grant, Jr. recently addressed the Wisconsin Commission on Transportation Finance and Policy in March of 2012. While there he explained the importance of public transportation. You can read his report which includes the impact of service cut backs, state funding needs and what transit is facing by clicking the links below. You may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files.
MCTS Comments to the Wisconsin Commission on Transportation Finance and Policy
Attachments to Comments to Wisconsin Transportation Funding Commission
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Preview New Schedules Before They Become Effective April 8, 2012
- As you may know, many of our routes can change up to four times a year. During April we make adjustments based on planned construction projects. We work closely with municipalites in our service area so we can plan ahead for the detours and longer travel times. How buses connect is important too. For this round of schedule changes, connections were improved to help passengers link between routes that were recently changed or added, such as the Route 15 and Route 52. Below is a complete list of which schedules will be updated effective Sunday, April 8, 2012. Click on the links to preview the changes before they become effective.
BlueLine - Fond du Lac-National
GreenLine - Bayshore – Airport
RedLine - Capitol Drive
10 - Humboldt-Wisconsin
14 - Forest Home
15 - Holton - Kinnickinnic
19 - M.L. King/S. 13th & S. 20th
21 - North Avenue
22 - Center Street
23 - Fond du Lac - National
28 - 108th Street
30 - Sherman-Wisconsin
31 - State-Highland
35 - 35th Street
44 - National Flyer
48 - South Shore Flyer
51 - Oklahoma Avenue
52 - Clement–15th Avenue
53 - Lincoln Avenue
54 - Mitchell-Burnham
56 - Greenfield Avenue
57 - Walnut - 92nd
60 - Burleigh Street
62 - Capitol Drive
63 - Silver Spring Drive - Port Washington
76 - N. 60th-S. 70th
79 - Menomonee Falls Flyer
80 - 6th Street
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MCTS Ridership Increases Slightly from 2010 to 2011
Milwaukee County Transit System saw a roughly 1.5 percent increase in ridership from 2010 to 2011. The bus provides an easy, convenient and affordable transportation option to the community. The new clean diesel buses which arrived in 2010-2011 may have had a positive impact on ridership.
2011
2010
Revenue Riders
38,075,651
37,534,911
Increase 1.44%
Total Passengers
44,753,412
44,065,845
Increase 1.56%
The overall increase in use in public transportation may be due to a variety of other factors including increased participation by universities, those using it for job search/interviews or medical appointments and individuals using transit to get to entertainment venues.
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Special Message During Snow 3/2/2012
- Due to the snow this afternoon some buses may be experiencing delays. Remember to dress appropriately for conditions and to exercise caution at bus stops. Please be patient as this winter storm progresses and thank you for riding with us.