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Introducing Milwaukee County’s newest bus rapid transit system, CONNECT. Connecting our community to employment, education, and recreation via a new nine-mile route. The first in the state, these battery electric buses will provide reliable high-frequency transportation, cost savings, and energy savings to thousands of riders annually.

Over the last five years, Milwaukee County, its partners, local businesses, residents, nonprofits, and others have been working together to bring CONNECT to life with construction having started in 2021. With the official service set to launch in 2023, CONNECT will strengthen the entire transit network and our economy, promote a healthy lifestyle, and make Milwaukee a better place to live and visit.

67,000 GALLONS

of Diesel Saved Annually

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REDUCED EMISSIONS

from Reduced Congestion

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TIME SAVINGS

Dedicated Lanes, Enhanced Traffic Stops 

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11 BUSES

Powered by Electric Batteries

NOT A ROUTINE ROUTE 

The new nine-mile route is anything but your typical bus route. With dedicated bus lanes, riders can enjoy a fast and reliable way to travel. Nine optimized stations and 32 stations total allow for off-board fare collection and raised platforms for easy boarding. 

The high-frequency route features service every 10-15 minutes during peak hours and midday, and every 20-30 minutes for non-peak hours. The route features battery charging stations to keep the Battery-Electric Buses charged and ready for riders. Buses can operate up to 247 miles on a single charge and will recharge for nine minutes every third lap of the 18-mile roundtrip route, then again overnight for two additional hours. 
 

MCTS CONNECT TIMELINE

  • East-West BRT Feasibility Study.
  • Federal Transit Administration project development.
    Engineering/Environmental Review.
  • Federal government commits $40.9 Million to the project.
  • MCTS purchases 11 Battery Electric Buses.
    Construction and infrastructure to support BRT service begins.
  • First MCTS Battery Electric Bus arrives called MCTS CONNECT.
  • Testing and training of operators, mechanics and staff begins for launch of BRT service scheduled for June. Four additional battery electric buses to arrive before the year ends.

MCTS CONNECT REVEAL

MCTS CONNECT REVEAL

MCTS CONNECT REVEAL

MCTS CONNECT REVEAL

MCTS CONNECT REVEAL

MCTS CONNECT REVEAL

OUR COMMITMENT TO CONNECTING COMMUNITY

Not only does CONNECT bring our community together through a sustainable way to travel, but it also builds a stronger future for Milwaukee. An efficient, modern transit system supports sustainable growth by moving more people in an efficient manner, leaving corridors with less congestion. Transit also boosts the area’s economy and attracts a talented workforce and visitors to our city. 

CONNECT brings an accessible and affordable way for residents to get to the places they need to go – aiding in achieving opportunity and racial equity in a way that moves Milwaukee closer to becoming the healthiest county in the state. With reduced emissions from battery-operated buses, fewer cars on the road, and increased activity from riders who walk an average of 19 more minutes a day compared to non-riders, the health of our region can greatly increase.