Waukesha Metro Transit
A Waukesha Metro Transit bus in front of the transit center
Founded1981
Headquarters2311 Badger Drive
LocaleWaukesha, WI
Service typebus service, paratransit
Fleet45[1]
Annual ridership464,344 (2022)[1]
Operator
Websitewaukeshametro.org

Waukesha Metro Transit is a public transit agency operating in the city of Waukesha and throughout Waukesha County. Founded in 1981, the system directly operates ten bus routes, contracts three commuter routes to Wisconsin Coach Lines, and partially funds two routes of Milwaukee County Transit System which extend into Waukesha County.

Waukesha Metro is also one of five transit agencies that are part of the Southeast Wisconsin Transit System.

History

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Following the approval of a referendum in 1980, Waukesha Metro Transit started operating in 1981, returning bus service to the city for the first time since 1977.[2] Paratransit service, under the name Metrolift, began in 1982 under contract with Dairyland Buses Inc.[3]

In 2023, Waukesha Metro began adding support for Milwaukee County Transit System's fare system.[4]

Services

Waukesha Metro Transit
No. Route Notes
1 Waukesha/Froedtert Downtown Transit Center to Milwaukee Regional Medical Center; transfers with Milwaukee County Transit System Connect 1
2 Arcadian Downtown Transit Center to Woodmans;2/3 Weekends
3 Moreland Downtown Transit Center to Target;2/3 Weekends
4 Grand Downtown Transit Center to Wal-Mart
5 Prairie Downtown Transit Center to the Shoppes at Fox River
6 St. Paul Downtown Transit Center to Badger Dr Via Kohls
7 Madison/Cambridge Downtown Transit Center to Cambridge; 7/8 Weeknights and Weekends
8 Summit Downtown Transit Center to University of Wisconsin–Waukesha; 7/8 Weeknights and Weekends
9 Northview Downtown Transit Center to Waukesha County Technical College
15 Racine Downtown Transit Center to Meijer and South High School
Waukesha County Transit (operated by Wisconsin Coach Lines)
No. Route Notes
901 Waukesha/Milwaukee Express Terminates at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
904 Oconomowoc/Milwaukee Express Via Hartland terminating on Wisconsin Ave at Cass St
905 Delafield/Milwaukee Express Via Delafield terminating on Wisconsin Ave at Cass St
Note: These route descriptions are derived from the System Map[5] and timetables.[6]

Downtown Transit Center

The Downtown Transit Center is located in downtown Waukesha at 212 East Saint Paul Ave. The center replaced the former transfer center, which was crowded on a road between the Fox River and the back end of buildings along West Main St. It serves as the central transfer point for 12 routes of the system's routes. It opened in October 2004 and provides an indoor waiting area, restrooms, 13 covered bus bays, a drivers’ lounge, and a customer service area. The Downtown Transit Center also includes a two-floor parking ramp for 460 vehicles. The opening was originally planned for late summer of 2004, but this was delayed due to WisDOT complaints that adjacent streets would be converted from one-way to two way in order to improve access and safety. These improvements eventually were allowed, and the center opened under the $16 million budget. The City of Waukesha implemented security upgrades to the Downtown Transit Center in 2017 and 2018.[7][8]

Ridership

In a October 2022 newsletter, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission reported that Waukesha Metro Transit "performs very well", but recommends possible straightening of some routes if ridership doesn't return to pre-pandemic levels.[9]

Waukesha Metro Transit ridership over time
Ridership Change over previous year
2013[10] 1,206,354 n/a
2014[11] 1,145,463 Decrease05.05%
2015[12] 1,116,971 Decrease02.49%
2016[13] 1,061,902 Decrease04.93%
2017[14] 1,023,938 Decrease03.58%
2018[15] 996,662 Decrease02.66%
2019[16] 920,281 Decrease07.66%
2020[17] 484,552 Decrease047.35%
2021[18] 435,479 Decrease010.13%
2022[1] 464,344 Increase06.63%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "2022 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
  2. ^ Johnson, Patt (September 1, 1981). "Bus service gets off to a modest start". The Milwaukee Journal.
  3. ^ Martino, Sam (March 1, 1982). "Bus service for disabled seeks riders". The Milwaukee Journal.
  4. ^ Wanek-Libman, Mischa (March 30, 2023). "MCTS set to launch WisGO April 1". Mass Transit. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  5. ^ Waukesha Metro Transit System Map
  6. ^ Waukesha Metro Transit Routes & Schedules
  7. ^ "Existing Transit Services and Travel Patterns for Waukesha Metro Transit and Waukesha County Transit" (PDF).
  8. ^ "Debate over traffic patterns to delay transit center opening". June 30, 2021.
  9. ^ "Waukesha Area Transit Development Plan: Newsletter October 2022" (PDF). Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. October 18, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  10. ^ "2013 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
  11. ^ "2014 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
  12. ^ "2015 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
  13. ^ "2016 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
  14. ^ "2017 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
  15. ^ "2018 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
  16. ^ "2019 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
  17. ^ "2020 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
  18. ^ "2021 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).

External links

Southeast Wisconsin Transit System
Public transit in Wisconsin
Categories