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The last phase of MCTS Next was implemented in August of last year and MCTS is now making adjustments to routes based on public input. MCTS also found that ridership on routes that primarily serve people of color increased 17%, or roughly 5,000 rides a day from 2021 to 2022.Īn annual survey administered by MCTS found that 75% of riders reported MCTS exceeds or meets their needs, while nearly 70% of riders reported they feel the frequency of service developed during MCTS Next exceeded or met their needs.
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MCTS last year increased the number of high-frequency routes, which are routes that run more buses so that travel times and wait times decrease. Statistics on ridership from the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021 shows an increase in ridership for the first time since the pandemic.įrom 2021 to 2022, system ridership increased 15% or roughly 6,000 rides a day, while ridership increased 10% on high frequency routes, according to MCTS. However, in 2020, that number dropped to less than 43,000 and declined even more in 2021. In 2019, MCTS averaged more than 79,000 rides a day. Generally speaking, ridership declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, MCTS implemented a three-phase change to routes, a process they have called MCTS Next. Statistics provided by MCTS show that the implementation was an overall success. As part of the hearings, MCTS also shared quarterly results.
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MCTS hosted public hearings in recent days where officials shared plans and allowed for public input. The Milwaukee County Transit System will be implementing new route changes later this year, and officials say last year's changes increased ridership and racial equity.
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