New Milwaukee Bus Fare System 'WisGo' Goes Into Effect Saturday

MILWAUKEE, WI — A new fare payment system designed in part to help save money for frequent Milwaukee County Transit System riders will go into effect Saturday.

At the heart of the plan is the fare maximum for Milwaukee buses. Regular fares for adults will be capped at $4 per day, regardless of the number of rides, while reduced fares will be capped at $2 per day. To take advantage of the fares, riders have to use a WisGo card or the UMO App. People will still be able to use their M-Cards until September, according to a news release from MCTS.

Leaders from Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties on Wednesday welcomed the new system. Besides introducing new maximum daily fares, WisGo cards will also eventually help to smooth out transfers between regional bus systems. Riders in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties will be able to use the same WisGo payment method to continue journey's between MCTS and the Waukesha Metro, according to a news release from local leaders.

All buses now have validators for the WisGo cards. Buses from the Waukesha Metro will only accept transfers from WisGo at the moment, a news release said.

“I applaud Waukesha Metro’s decision to be the first to make transit in the region easier through one, simplified payment system consistent with Milwaukee County’s transit system," Crowley said in a news release. "The decision reinforces that public transit is essential to linking the economy not just to one metro area, but across the whole state. Our two communities share a deep commitment to supporting transit as a key component to a thriving workforce and a strong economy.”

An MCTS news release said that more regional connections are on the way. Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly noted the possible job benefits of using the same fare system.

“Employers continually express the need for employees and simplified ways for their employees to get to work," said Reilly in a news release. "Adding Waukesha Metro to the WisGo system is another important way to help employers and employees throughout the region by making it easier for all to get to their jobs using transit.”

Part of the plan to cap fares comes to address inequities in transportation, according to Milwaukee County Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones, who is also the chairwoman on the committee on transportation and transit.

"Historically, only those who could afford to pre-purchase discount passes to ride the bus got the best value," said Coggs-Jones. "But with WisGo, these inequities are being addressed through fare capping. Now, everyone pays the same rates no matter how many times they ride.”

You can find more information about the switch to WisGo through the MCTS website.