The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) introduced its three new MetroEXpress Routes at ceremonies Jan. 28 on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), followed by an inaugural ride. The service entered regular operation the next day.

The three new routes and associated changes serve major job access corridors and transit-dependent areas. For the first time, MCTS is using colors instead of numbers to identify routes: the BlueLine (Fond du Lac-National), RedLine (Capitol Drive), and GreenLine (Bayshore-Airport).

According to Lloyd Grant Jr., MCTS managing director: “The three express service routes will help MCTS better meet the needs of bus riders and the community through improved air quality, faster service, and increased capacity for the level of demand in  these high ridership corridors."

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele added: “This is an important day for the community as we bring Milwaukee County residents new transit service. Federal funding is allowing us to continue and improve an essential public service and retain access to jobs.”

“Thousands of UWM students, faculty, and staff use the Milwaukee County Transit System every day, and our university is grateful for every MCTS service innovation to facilitate their daily journeys,” said UWM Chancellor Michael R. Lovell. “This initiative complements the work of the UWM Office of Sustainability and is another creative solution to urban environmental challenges.”

MCTS had faced the likelihood of drastic service cuts because of a 10 percent reduction in state funds for 2012 and 2013, but did not have to instigate the cuts because the system received $19.1 million in Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grants.