Milwaukee County leaders say MCTS is stabilized after last year's deficit, on track for modest surplus

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and other county leaders gathered at Vel R. Phillips Plaza on Thursday, June 4 to give an update on MCTS ahead of the summer season.

"This year, with the help of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, we were able to stabilize operations, we were able to avoid any major cuts to the system, even restore some mid-day service to the routes which will start next week," Crowley said.

Crowley said MCTS is on track to end 2026 with a modest surplus, and that fare evasion rates have dropped significantly since the start of the year, from 33% summer 2025 to a 24% average from Jan. to April 2026.

Delivery has also started for 39 new buses that were ordered in 2025. They are touted as meeting 2026 EPA emissions standards.