Despite arecent voteto cut state transit funding inMilwaukee, the county is working toward improving public transit systems. At a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, city and state officials detailed their plan to create a transit service aimed atconnecting residents throughout the county and improvingtransportation options for residents.
East-West rapid transit is coming
The East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service is coming to Milwaukee next year to mitigate transportation problemsin the most congested areas of the city. Gov.Tony Evers attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new bus line Thursday, though construction on BRT began June 1.
Evers expressed his support for theproject during the groundbreaking ceremonyand said itcould be an important step in helping the county recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as improve the quality of life for Milwaukee residents.
"Our transit system is absolutely vital to that goal," Evers said."It’s all connected to how we make sure our state is more accessible and in the best position for economic growth."
The bus line will replace the current gold line and stretch from the lakefront to Wauwatosa, with 33 BRT stations along the way. This nine-mile service will reach downtown Milwaukee, the near west side, Marquette University, Wauwatosa and the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, according to the transit service’s website.
Milwaukee County Transit Systemselected Zenith Tech, a Waukesha-based heavy construction company for a $15.2 million contract to construct the$55 million project. Funding for this project primarily comes from a $40.9 million grant from the Federal Transit Administrationand the rest will come from Milwaukee County.
The construction of the BRT will start west and head east. During the first year of construction, the line will be completed up to 27th street. Then construction will resume after winter and work further east. Milwaukee County Transit Systemexpects the project to be finished by fall of 2022.
How will the BRTaffect remaining bus lines?
The blue line and route 30 bus routes will remain. The goal of the BRT is to improve the busiest portion of the gold lineand create a quicker and easier route through the city's most congested areas.
All-electric buses are coming
MCTS plans to implement Battery Electric Bus (BEB) technology. Up to 15 all-electric buses will be coming to the county, 11 of which will exclusively be used in the upcoming BRT line,according toa March press release from MCTS.
Julie Esch, deputy director of Milwaukee's Department of Transportation, said one challenge to this plan is acquiringfunding for hybrid and Battery Electric Bus technology.
Steven Shea, supervisor of the Transportation, Public Works and Transit Committee, said BEB is still is a top priority of his.
"Having the county move to carbon neutrality by 2050 is one of my most important goals as supervisor, and I'm very excited about this technology that will move us in that direction," Shea said.
Kelly Brookins, regional administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, said at the groundbreaking ceremony that BEB technology ties into federal goals as well.
"By using all Battery Electric Buses, Milwaukee is positioning itself for a clean energy future which contributes to the president’s goal to achieve 50% reduction in emissions by 2030."
The buses have improved accommodations for people with disabilities
Each bus will provide additional accommodations under the federal American Disabilities Act, including a self-docking ADA system that requires no ramp, so individuals can bring their mobility devices straight onto the bus via the bus’s level boarding feature. They will then dock on the bus facing the rear.
This allows added independence for users of mobility devices and speeds up stopping times at bus stops, according to David Locher, manager of transportation at Milwaukee County Transit.
The BRT connects to thecounty's goal of racial equity
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley emphasized BRT's potential to connect communities and provide easier access to underserved communities in the city.
"Milwaukee County has a vision to achieve racial equity and become the healthiest county in the state of Wisconsin," Crowley said."And transportation services are a vital component of making this vision a reality. And we believe that every community in Milwaukee County should have connections to job centers, grocery stores, medical officesand recreation."
You'll be able to tap your phone to pay fares
The BRT fare collection system will evolve from a card-based system to an account-based system to improve functionality for mobile systems, allowing bus patrons to simply tap their phones to get onto the bus. Ticket vending machines will also be available at each BRT stop for those wishing to pay with cash. The new fare collection system will not affect prices.
The changes also benefit bus drivers
The project could also benefit bus drivers, according to Locher. The new fare collection system will lessen delays at bus stops because the driversthemselves willnot need to collect fares. The ADA upgradeswill also allow individuals with mobility devices to enter buses without driver assistance. Locher also said in a Milwaukee County meeting that BRT has union buy-in from drivers.
How are transit services changing throughout the state?
Wisconsin legislature's joint finance committee adopted a transportation plan late Tuesday that would cut state transit funding in halfin Milwaukee and Madison.
Republicans in the state's legislature cite the cities' hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid as a reason to reduce state funding. Milwaukee County's transit system will receive $215 million in COVID-19 aid, and Madisonwill receiveabout $70 million.
No other cities in the state that receive federal aid will be subject to state transit funding cuts.
Milwaukee leaders criticized the legislative budget action.
"I will say, this is not a time to make drastic cuts in the Milwaukee County Transit System as we work through the state and local budgets this year," Crowley said."A major cut in transit funding means a major reduction in transit services. And a major reduction in transit services makes it incredibly difficultfor people who rely on our transit system."
Mayor Tom Barrett agreed.
"It’s pretty obvious what’s going on there," Barrett said."The legislature is singling out Madison and Milwaukee. It didn’t cut the transportation funds in any other city. What they want to do is pit the rest of the state against Milwaukee and Madison."
