'It's going to be a disaster': Bus riders react to MCTS cutting 20,000 service hours on certain routes

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Around three weeks ago, CBS 58 reported about some big changes that could be on the way for bus riders with the Milwaukee County Transit System's MOVE 2025 plan. Now, MCTS is announcing they are going to have to reduce services.

MCTS says reductions are needed because they have a budget deficit standing at an estimated $10.9 million. They say it's due to unexpected expenses and lower passenger revenue. MCTS says starting Aug. 24, they will be cutting 20,000 service hours to make up for that deficit.

"I mean, there are so many people in this city that rely on the buses, especially nowadays when money is tight," said Johnathan Nash, who rides the bus every day. "It's hard to get cars, it's hard to get transportation, so a bus, for a lot of people, is their only way of transport."

Around 90,000 people ride the bus in Milwaukee County every day, relying on it for transportation to work, medical visits and school.

"I'm a student," said Nash. "I'm about to go into my freshman year of college. I'm not going to have a ride all the time; I'm going to rely on the buses.

The reductions are a shock to many, because just three weeks ago, CBS 58 News sat down with MCTS about their 2025 MOVE plan, which proposes the opposite.

"More frequency, more connections, new service on streets we don’t serve today, and simplicity," said Jesus Ochoa, the planning manager with the Milwaukee County Transit System, when CBS 58 interviewed him on May 29, 2025.

While MCTS says that plan will move forward this fall, starting Aug. 24, other high-frequency weekday routes will see reduced service during what they say are off-peak times. Riders can also expect reductions to service on Saturdays.

Riders say they are frustrated, as the buses are already late and packed.

"The bus I was on was packed," said Daniel, who rides the bus every day. "The disability seats were packed where I normally sit, so I can't even imagine what having less bus hours is going to do instead of more bus hours. It's going to be a disaster."

CBS 58 reached out to MCTS, and they say as further details emerge, they will be made available to the public.