Milwaukee Bus Rapid Transit Debuts In June, Other Routes Changing

MILWAUKEE, WI — Wisconsin's first bus rapid transit line that makes use of dedicated bus lanes and real-time signage at stops will debut this summer in Milwaukee.

New electric buses will power the line, called CONNECT 1, to bring riders between downtown and western suburbs via Wisconsin Avenue and Bluemound Road. Amid the new line's introduction, a few existing bus lines will change. The Gold Line will be eliminated entirely, with many of its riders expected to transition to Route 30 or be served by the new BRT line, according to a news release from Milwaukee County Transit System.

The changes take effect on June 4 alongside the introduction of a summer schedule meant to improve service reliability and expand job access, MCTS said. Ahead of the launch, transit officials invited the public to a virtual information session on May 22.

The new BRT line is meant to provide faster and more frequent bus service along Wisconsin Avenue and Bluemound Road between the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center and downtown. The new line features 33 stations with daytime buses arriving every 10 minutes on weekdays and 15 minutes on weekends. In evenings, the buses operate every 20-30 minutes. The line runs between 4:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., MCTS said.

Meanwhile, Waukesha Metro Route 1 is being extended from Brookfield Square to the regional medical center. Riders will be able to transfer between MCTS and Waukesha transit without needing to pay again.

Here is what MCTS said about the other coming changes to various lines:

Route 30 will become more frequent than it is today to serve former GoldLine riders on the east side. Buses will arrive every 10 minutes instead of every 13-14 minutes. In addition, Route 30 buses will serve every BRT station on Wisconsin Avenue between Van Buren and 35th Street. Buses will also make stops at six additional locations: Wisconsin and 32nd Street, Wisconsin and 29th Street, Wisconsin and 24th Street, Wisconsin and 22nd Street, Wisconsin and Plankinton, and Wisconsin and Jackson.

The GoldLine, which began in 2015, will be retired. The majority of riders on the GoldLine will be served by the CONNECT 1 and Route 30. In addition, Route 21 and Waukesha Metro 1 will be adjusted to serve riders.

Route 14 will be split into two routes to improve on time performance on the two main corridors it serves – Humboldt Boulevard and Forest Home. Route 14 will operate along Humboldt and intersect Wisconsin Avenue at Cass Street near a BRT station. Riders can choose to transfer to CONNECT 1 or Route 30; buses will come every five minutes between the two routes. In addition, buses will arrive every 16 minutes instead of 22 minutes.

A new Route 24 will serve Forest Home Avenue and 16th Street between Southridge Mall and Wisconsin Avenue, which was formerly served by Route 14. In addition, service will be extended north of Wisconsin Avenue to the MCTS Administration Building at 17th and Fond du Lac via 16th and 17th Streets.

Route 21 service will be expanded to maintain year-round service on Downer Avenue between North Avenue and UW-Milwaukee. Route 21 will continue to provide high-frequency service to riders on Downer Avenue. Passengers heading downtown can pick up Route 21 every fifteen minutes then transfer to Route 30, GreenLine, Route 14 and Route 15 which intersect with Wisconsin Avenue at various locations or walk to Maryland to take Route 30 for a direct ride to Wisconsin Avenue.

BlueLine service will be reconfigured on the southern end to maximize connections with the CONNECT 1 BRT and Routes 12 and 24. Buses will no longer travel via 16th and 17th Streets, Wisconsin Avenue, 6th Street to the Intermodal Station. Buses will instead travel from 17th Street to Highland Avenue, Highland Avenue to 12th Street, 12th Street to Wells and Wells to 6th Street to the Intermodal Station. Northbound buses will follow the same streets.

More information about the changes can be found at RideMCTS.com/ServiceChanges.