Milwaukee Transit officials reject $35K Uber relief program amid safety concerns

Milwaukee County's Committee on Finance meeting on April 17, 2025, spotlighted significant concerns regarding a proposed pilot program aimed at providing relief for transit operators. Chief Operating Officer Kevin Humphrey presented a plan that allocated $35,000 to establish a transit network system, utilizing services from Uber, Lyft, and HopSkip. However, the proposal faced immediate scrutiny due to its projected short lifespan, with funds expected to be depleted in just over five weeks.

Humphrey detailed that the program would offer 23 rides daily, costing approximately $6,150 per week. This raised alarms among committee members, who questioned the efficacy and necessity of spending such funds for a limited impact. Supervisor Steve Taylor expressed skepticism, emphasizing that the pilot would only address about 1% of the daily relief needs for operators, suggesting that the funding could be better allocated to more pressing transit issues.

The discussion also highlighted a lack of communication with the union representing transit workers, with Michael Brown from ATU Local 998 criticizing the absence of union involvement in the planning stages. He argued that the focus should remain on the existing van program, which aims to enhance operator safety and efficiency, rather than introducing a costly and untested alternative.

As the meeting progressed, the committee considered amendments to the proposal, with members advocating for a more strategic approach to transit funding. The consensus leaned towards reevaluating priorities, with many agreeing that the pilot program, as it stood, was not a viable solution for the county's transit challenges.

In conclusion, the committee's deliberations underscored a critical need for a comprehensive strategy to address the operational challenges faced by Milwaukee County Transit System, rather than implementing a pilot program that may not yield substantial benefits. The outcome of this meeting could shape future funding decisions and operational strategies for the county's transit services.