The Situation
The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is addressing aging infrastructure at facilities that support daily bus operations and maintenance. The system is preparing to replace critical equipment and infrastructure with modern technology designed to improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and avoid costly unplanned repairs.

The improvements will focus on three MCTS maintenance facilities and are intended to help maintain reliable transit service for riders throughout Milwaukee County.

What is the “fix,” and how does it benefit the community?
MCTS plans to modernize its facilities by replacing aging fuel, maintenance, and lighting infrastructure. The project includes replacing six underground fuel and fluid tanks with modern, double-walled tanks equipped with monitoring technology, installing six new bus lifts, and upgrading lighting at maintenance facilities, yards, and fueling areas.

The new bus lifts are expected to reduce maintenance time and help keep buses in good repair, while the lighting upgrades are expected to reduce energy use by up to 50% in maintenance facilities. Together, the improvements are intended to increase efficiency, reduce operating costs, and help prevent service disruptions for riders.

What Makes This Investment Possible?
The project is being funded through a $14.7 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, program.

The award is part of $1.73 billion in BUILD grants announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation for 127 transportation projects across 52 states, territories and the District of Columbia. MCTS will use its award to make major capital improvements to critical infrastructure at its maintenance facilities

What’s Next?
Implementation of the MCTS facility improvements is expected to begin in 2027. Once complete, the upgrades are expected to improve reliability for riders while supporting a safer, cleaner, more efficient and resilient transit system.

The $14.7 million investment is part of the broader federal BUILD program supporting transportation infrastructure projects across the country.