Milwaukee officials are addressing a significant rise in fare evasion within the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) through a proposed Bus Fare Compliance Pilot Program for 2026. The initiative, introduced by Milwaukee County Supervisor Shawn Rolland and co-sponsored by Supervisor Steve F. Taylor, responds to a reported 33% fare evasion rate as of May, which has resulted in an estimated $9 million in lost revenue, according to Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors release.
The proposal allocates $620,965 to fund the pilot program, which will include the deployment of uniformed security personnel at high-evasion bus stops and on buses. The goal is to improve fare collection, passenger safety, and financial stability within MCTS.
The funding will be redirected from Project No. WR021601 – CJF Camera Replacements, which was removed from the 2026 capital budget. The program’s performance will be measured using Automatic Passenger Count data and fare collection figures, with a report due by September 2026 to assess its impact and determine next steps…