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Milwaukee County program will cap bus fares. Here’s what to know. [1]

['Jonmaesha Beltran', 'Wisconsin Watch', 'More Jonmaesha Beltran', 'Roy W. Howard Investigative Reporting Fellow']

Date: 2023-03-30 11:00:00+00:00

Reading Time: 4 minutes

News414 is a service journalism collaboration between Wisconsin Watch and Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service that addresses the specific issues, interests, perspectives and information needs identified by residents of central city Milwaukee neighborhoods. Learn more at our website or text MKE to 73224 to connect with a reporter.

Milwaukee County is modernizing its bus fare collection system, aiming to make transit equitable for residents.

Bus riders can pay for their fares through WisGo, a new fare collection system, starting Saturday, April 1.

Everyone with a plastic WisGo card or the Umo mobile app will ride for free after reaching daily, weekly and monthly caps. Riders currently paying with an M-card have through the end of September to transition to the new system.

Milwaukee County leaders gathered on Wednesday to announce the launch of WisGo and its partnership with Waukesha County, which is joining the fare collection system. Leaders touted a system that’s equitable for riders and predicted it would help return ridership to pre-pandemic levels.

“Historically, only those who could afford to pre-purchase discount passes to ride the bus got the best value. But with WisGo, these inequities are being addressed through fare capping. Now, everyone pays the same rates no matter how many times they ride,” County Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones said in a news release.

Milwaukee County, like public transit systems across Wisconsin, has faced a years-long slide in ridership and revenue that only worsened as remote work options expanded during the pandemic. While Milwaukee County ridership is recovering from the lowest pandemic-era numbers, it’s still lagging behind its earlier status.

The new fare collection system is powered through the Umo Mobility platform and is used around the world in places such as New York and London.

The technology has made transit in those cities easier to navigate as ridership recovers from the pandemic levels, said Bonnie Crawford, Umo’s vice president and general manager.

“People expect technology. We’re used to connecting to technology in all of the ways that we engage in our neighborhoods, whether that’s paying for your coffee or buying your groceries, and this is really that next step for Milwaukee County and the region,” Crawford said.

Riders can scan their phone or WisGo card on tap-and-go validators onboard buses, which will determine how many times a rider has paid a fare and automatically deduct the lowest amount owed. The validator will also tell riders if their fund balance is low.

Riders will also be able to use WisGo cards and the Umo app on Waukesha Metro Transit buses. Waukesha County is the first to join the regional fare system.

Candace Jelks, a Waukesha Metro Transit driver, stands in front of a Waukesha Metro Transit bus on March 29, 2023, during a press conference in Milwaukee. Beginning April 1, 2023, riders can use WisGo, a new fare collection system, on buses in Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties. (Jonmaesha Beltran/ Wisconsin Watch)

“Transit is something that’s extremely important for a big segment of our population. It gets a lot of people to work; gets them to the doctor; it gets them to the grocery store; and without it, I don’t know how we would really function,” said Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly, adding that the two counties aim to make transit efficient.

Under WisGo, riders will see lower costs.

The regular fare — for ages 12 to 64 — will be $2 per ride, down from $2.25. Under WisGo, it will be capped at $4 per day, $19.50 per week and $72 per month.

The reduced fare — for ages 6 to 11, 65 and older and those with qualifying disabilities — will be $1 per ride, down from $1.10. It will cap at $2 per day, $11 per week and $32 per month under WisGo. Learn more about reduced fares here.

“The way that you’re going to get riders on board is to ensure that no rider is left behind, and that’s really a commitment we have here in Wisconsin and throughout the world,” Crawford said.

The Umo Mobility app will replace the RideMCTS app. The app connects to other modes of transportation like Uber and provides real-time tracking of Milwaukee County and Waukesha County buses. It accepts credit and debit cards, along with Apple Pay, Google Pay and WisGo cards.

The WisGo card is an alternative to the Umo app and will replace the M-Card. The cards will be sold and available for reloading at nearly 100 locations, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores.

M-Card users can exchange cards for a free WisGo card from April 1 through June 30. After that, the card will cost $2. Reduced fare riders will receive a WisGo card in the mail. Riders with Commuter Value Passes and U-Passes are automatically enrolled in WisGo.

Riders will not be able to store value on the M-Card starting Aug. 31, and the Milwaukee County Transit System will stop accepting the card on Sept. 30. MCTS CONNECT, Milwaukee County’s bus rapid transit service that launches June 4, will not accept M-Cards.

Riders can still pay with cash on all bus routes, but those paying cash will not qualify for fare caps.

Regular fare replacement for WisGo cards will cost $2, and reduced fare replacement cards will cost $5.

Ambassadors will assist riders with downloading the Umo app or getting a WisGo card.

For more information

Virtual and in-person sessions explaining the program are slated for April 6, April 22 and April 28. You can sign up at RideMCTS.com/Community.

You can also visit the following resources for information on WisGo:

RideMCTS.com/WisGo: Timeline and overview of WisGo

RideMCTS.com/UmoApp: How to download the Umo app

RideMCTS.com/WisGoLocations: Where to pick up a free WisGo card through June 30

RideMCTS.com/TopThingstoKnowAboutWisGo: Quick tips

RideMCTS.com/ReducedFare: For minors, seniors, and persons with a disability

RideMCTS.com/TPReducedFare: For Transit Plus riders who use the bus

The nonprofit Wisconsin Watch (www.WisconsinWatch.org) collaborates with WPR, PBS Wisconsin, other news media and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by Wisconsin Watch do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates.

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If we send you a request to change or remove Wisconsin Watch content from your site, you must agree to do so immediately. You are welcome to republish our articles forusing the following ground rules. For questions regarding republishing rules please contact Andy Hall, executive director, at [email protected] Milwaukee County to cap bus fares under new system. Here’s what to know. <h1>Milwaukee County to cap bus fares under new system. Here’s what to know. </h1> by Jonmaesha Beltran / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch March 30, 2023 Milwaukee County is modernizing its bus fare collection system, aiming to make transit equitable for residents. Bus riders can pay for their fares through WisGo, a new fare collection system, starting Saturday, April 1. Everyone with a plastic WisGo card or the <a href="https://umomobility.com/transit-agencies/umo-app/">Umo mobile app</a> will ride for free after reaching daily, weekly and monthly caps. Riders currently paying with an M-card have through the end of September to transition to the new system. Milwaukee County leaders gathered on Wednesday to announce the launch of WisGo and its partnership with Waukesha County, which is joining the fare collection system. Leaders touted a system that’s equitable for riders and predicted it would help return ridership to pre-pandemic levels. “Historically, only those who could afford to pre-purchase discount passes to ride the bus got the best value. But with WisGo, these inequities are being addressed through fare capping. Now, everyone pays the same rates no matter how many times they ride,” County Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones said in a news release. Milwaukee County, like public transit systems across Wisconsin, has faced a <a href="https://wispolicyforum.org/research/how-should-local-governments-respond-to-declining-transit-ridership/">years-long slide in ridership and revenue</a> that only worsened as remote work options expanded during the pandemic. While Milwaukee County ridership is <a href="https://www.wpr.org/milwaukee-county-transit-system-sees-increase-ridership-numbers-still-lag-behind-pre-pandemic-levels">recovering from the lowest pandemic-era numbers</a>, it’s still lagging behind its earlier status. The new fare collection system is powered through the Umo Mobility platform and is used around the world in places such as New York and London. The technology has made transit in those cities easier to navigate as ridership recovers from the pandemic levels, said Bonnie Crawford, Umo’s vice president and general manager. “People expect technology. We’re used to connecting to technology in all of the ways that we engage in our neighborhoods, whether that’s paying for your coffee or buying your groceries, and this is really that next step for Milwaukee County and the region,” Crawford said. Riders can scan their phone or WisGo card on tap-and-go validators onboard buses, which will determine how many times a rider has paid a fare and automatically deduct the lowest amount owed. The validator will also tell riders if their fund balance is low. Riders will also be able to use WisGo cards and the Umo app on Waukesha Metro Transit buses. Waukesha County is the first to join the regional fare system. <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://wisconsinwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bus-driver-782x587.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1277901" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Candace Jelks, a Waukesha Metro Transit driver, stands in front of a Waukesha Metro Transit bus on March 29, 2023, during a press conference in Milwaukee. Beginning April 1, 2023, riders can use WisGo, a new fare collection system, on buses in Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties. (Jonmaesha Beltran/ Wisconsin Watch) </figcaption></figure> “Transit is something that’s extremely important for a big segment of our population. It gets a lot of people to work; gets them to the doctor; it gets them to the grocery store; and without it, I don’t know how we would really function,” said Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly, adding that the two counties aim to make transit efficient. Under WisGo, riders will see lower costs. The regular fare — for ages 12 to 64 — will be $2 per ride, down from $2.25. Under WisGo, it will be capped at $4 per day, $19.50 per week and $72 per month. The reduced fare — for ages 6 to 11, 65 and older and those with qualifying disabilities — will be $1 per ride, down from $1.10. It will cap at $2 per day, $11 per week and $32 per month under WisGo. Learn more about <a href="https://www.ridemcts.com/fares/reduced-fare">reduced fares here</a>. “The way that you’re going to get riders on board is to ensure that no rider is left behind, and that’s really a commitment we have here in Wisconsin and throughout the world,” Crawford said. The Umo Mobility app will replace the RideMCTS app. The app connects to other modes of transportation like Uber and provides real-time tracking of Milwaukee County and Waukesha County buses. It accepts credit and debit cards, along with Apple Pay, Google Pay and WisGo cards. The WisGo card is an alternative to the Umo app and will replace the M-Card. The cards will be sold and available for reloading at nearly 100 locations, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores. M-Card users can exchange cards for a free WisGo card from April 1 through June 30. After that, the card will cost $2. Reduced fare riders will receive a WisGo card in the mail. Riders with Commuter Value Passes and U-Passes are automatically enrolled in WisGo. Riders will not be able to store value on the M-Card starting Aug. 31, and the Milwaukee County Transit System will stop accepting the card on Sept. 30. <a href="https://www.ridemcts.com/programs/mcts-connect">MCTS CONNECT</a>, Milwaukee County’s bus rapid transit service that launches June 4, will not accept M-Cards. Riders can still pay with cash on all bus routes, but those paying cash will not qualify for fare caps. Regular fare replacement for WisGo cards will cost $2, and reduced fare replacement cards will cost $5. Ambassadors will assist riders with downloading the Umo app or getting a WisGo card. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">For more information</h2> Virtual and in-person sessions explaining the program are slated for April 6, April 22 and April 28. You can sign up at <a href="https://www.ridemcts.com/community-outreach#Community">RideMCTS.com/Community</a>. You can also visit the following resources for information on WisGo: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fridemcts.us10.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D019ae54b7860c859c4fe4ed8f%26id%3Df0b9e540a0%26e%3Dd9bda0ccbe&data=05%7C01%7Cronald.smith%40marquette.edu%7Cabb1e3adcb2545cde4d308db30902f8c%7Cabe32f68c72d420db5bd750c63a268e4%7C0%7C0%7C638157168067761369%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pwdpZT8n9PlpalTm6RCz7GByjoIVAFqKuip%2FnO2guaE%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RideMCTS.com/WisGo</a>: Timeline and overview of WisGo <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fridemcts.us10.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D019ae54b7860c859c4fe4ed8f%26id%3D9e31ba1555%26e%3Dd9bda0ccbe&data=05%7C01%7Cronald.smith%40marquette.edu%7Cabb1e3adcb2545cde4d308db30902f8c%7Cabe32f68c72d420db5bd750c63a268e4%7C0%7C0%7C638157168067761369%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mwTyZy6sREpKZpm%2Bcl0GVWjHBHxHB4gIGBPl4q471jk%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RideMCTS.com/UmoApp</a>: How to download the Umo app <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fridemcts.us10.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D019ae54b7860c859c4fe4ed8f%26id%3D487b0645ee%26e%3Dd9bda0ccbe&data=05%7C01%7Cronald.smith%40marquette.edu%7Cabb1e3adcb2545cde4d308db30902f8c%7Cabe32f68c72d420db5bd750c63a268e4%7C0%7C0%7C638157168067761369%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=wrI%2F9dRg9big%2FYjjvnzJB%2BGCiqU7a3RhNkgqRFd7Jck%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RideMCTS.com/WisGoLocations</a>: Where to pick up a free WisGo card through June 30 <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fridemcts.us10.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D019ae54b7860c859c4fe4ed8f%26id%3Db05258b154%26e%3Dd9bda0ccbe&data=05%7C01%7Cronald.smith%40marquette.edu%7Cabb1e3adcb2545cde4d308db30902f8c%7Cabe32f68c72d420db5bd750c63a268e4%7C0%7C0%7C638157168067761369%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Z84CQ3TJpKU8BEg872TSjfXWSO6unDQfbyGXfusZpTg%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RideMCTS.com/TopThingstoKnowAboutWisGo</a>: Quick tips <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fridemcts.us10.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D019ae54b7860c859c4fe4ed8f%26id%3D14284f9603%26e%3Dd9bda0ccbe&data=05%7C01%7Cronald.smith%40marquette.edu%7Cabb1e3adcb2545cde4d308db30902f8c%7Cabe32f68c72d420db5bd750c63a268e4%7C0%7C0%7C638157168067761369%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fekW0bngvPaFeqwyHbohiEVzwX16IKg0WhL8PnwwB9M%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RideMCTS.com/ReducedFare</a>: For minors, seniors, and persons with a disability <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fridemcts.us10.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D019ae54b7860c859c4fe4ed8f%26id%3D5e2ce4feb4%26e%3Dd9bda0ccbe&data=05%7C01%7Cronald.smith%40marquette.edu%7Cabb1e3adcb2545cde4d308db30902f8c%7Cabe32f68c72d420db5bd750c63a268e4%7C0%7C0%7C638157168067761369%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EpFZqw33WUwH4SRrdeT69vFz7bpSqbPrtFxjM4wqZ10%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RideMCTS.com/TPReducedFare</a>: For Transit Plus riders who use the bus The nonprofit Wisconsin Watch (<a href="http://www.wisconsinwatch.org">www.WisconsinWatch.org</a>) collaborates with WPR, PBS Wisconsin, other news media and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by Wisconsin Watch do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates. This <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org/2023/03/milwaukee-county-to-cap-bus-fares-under-new-system-heres-what-to-know/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org">Wisconsin Watch</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/wisconsinwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-WCIJ_IconOnly_FullColor_RGB-1.png?fit=150%2C150&quality=100&ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://wisconsinwatch.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=1277900&ga=UA-17896820-1" style="width:1px;height:1px;"> Copy to Clipboard

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