Spring Changes - March 9, 2025
Starting Sunday, March 9th, we’re making changes to improve the reliability of service on multiple routes. These changes were based on feedback from riders and bus operators. Additionally, several route schedules will be modified due to new long-term road construction starting in Spring.
Improving Reliability of Service Based on Feedback from Bus Operators and Riders
- Route 18’s schedule was adjusted to improve the timeliness of buses for customers and bus operators.
Routes With Detours Starting in Spring
The following routes will be on long-term detours starting in the Spring: GreenLine, Routes 15, 18 & 24.
- GreenLine, Route 15 and Route 18: Will detour off Water Street near the Third Ward due to construction on the Water Street Bridge. The detour will be in both directions and last until late Fall 2025. All trip times will be shifted to accommodate the added detour time.
- Route 24: Will detour on the southern end due to construction of the 76th Street Bridge over Forest Home Avenue. The detour will be in both directions and last until late Fall 2025. All trip times will be shifted to accommodate the added detour time.
Route Modification Updates
As of early February, Route 33’s eastern routing has officially moved from ending at Prospect Avenue and State Street near Juneau Park to ending at Wisconsin Avenue and Cass Street. This change was part of the Fall 2024 service changes, but delayed due to construction projects near the new eastern terminus.
As a reminder, below are the details of the change.
- Route 33 was modified on the eastern end to travel to Wisconsin Ave. & Cass St.
- Eastbound buses will travel south on Van Buren to Kilbourn Ave., east on Kilbourn Ave. to Prospect, south on Prospect to Wisconsin Ave., west on Wisconsin to Cass St. where buses will layover behind Route 14 buses.
- After the layover, buses will travel west on Wisconsin Ave. to Van Buren, north on Van Buren to Juneau Ave., and west on Juneau Ave. to the regular routing.
- This location will provide bus drivers with year-round access to a nearby restroom at the layover.
New Transit Enhancements
On Milwaukee’s Near South Side, where S. 1st St., S. Kinnickinnic Ave. and W. Mitchell St. come together, MCTS installed our first 15-foot-long bus shelter with advertising panels on each end. The shelter was installed following the destruction of the previous shelter by a reckless driver. This extra-long shelter will provide a safe and comfortable waiting area out of the elements for riders catching or transferring between routes 15, 54, 56, and the GreenLine. The design and construction of the shelter is thanks to the creativity and hard work of MCTS’ maintenance staff.
Use the Trip Planning features on RideMCTS.com and the Umo app to find the routes that work best for you. With WisGo in the Umo App, planning your trip has never been easier. Just enter your destination, choose your route, and purchase your fare.