Waukesha Metro Transit

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 Transit
A Waukesha Metro Transit bus in front of the transit center
Founded1981
Headquarters2311 Badger Drive
LocaleWaukesha, WI
Service typebus service, paratransit
Fleet46[1]
Annual ridership435,479 (2021)[1]
Operator
Websitewaukeshametro.org

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

History

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.RouteNotes
1Waukesha/FroedtertDowntown Transit Center to Milwaukee Regional Medical Center; transfers with Milwaukee County Transit System Connect 1
2ArcadianDowntown Transit Center to Woodmans;2/3 Weekends
3MorelandDowntown Transit Center to Target;2/3 Weekends
4GrandDowntown Transit Center to Wal-Mart
5PrairieDowntown Transit Center to the Shoppes at Fox River
6St. PaulDowntown Transit Center to Badger Dr Via Kohls
7Madison/CambridgeDowntown Transit Center to Cambridge; 7/8 Weeknights and Weekends
8SummitDowntown Transit Center to University of Wisconsin–Waukesha; 7/8 Weeknights and Weekends
9NorthviewDowntown Transit Center to Waukesha County Technical College
15RacineDowntown Transit Center to Meijer and South High School
Waukesha County Transit (operated by Wisconsin Coach Lines)
No.RouteNotes
901Waukesha/Milwaukee ExpressTerminates at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
904Oconomowoc/Milwaukee ExpressVia Hartland terminating on Wisconsin Ave at Cass St
905Delafield/Milwaukee ExpressVia 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
RidershipChange over previous year
2013[10] 1,206,354n/a
2014[11] 1,145,463Decrease05.05%
2015[12] 1,116,971Decrease02.49%
2016[13] 1,061,902Decrease04.93%
2017[14] 1,023,938Decrease03.58%
2018[15] 996,662Decrease02.66%
2019[16] 920,281Decrease07.66%
2020[17] 484,552Decrease047.35%
2021[1] 435,479Decrease010.13%

See also

References
  1. "2021 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
  2. Johnson, Patt (1981-09-01). "Bus service gets off to a modest start". The Milwaukee Journal.
  3. Martino, Sam (1982-03-01). "Bus service for disabled seeks riders". The Milwaukee Journal.
  4. Wanek-Libman, Mischa (2023-03-30). "MCTS set to launch WisGO April 1". Mass Transit. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  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". 2021-06-30.
  9. "Waukesha Area Transit Development Plan: Newsletter October 2022" (PDF). Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  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).
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