Bus Operators Highlight $3.1M Revenue Loss Due to Fare Evasion Issues

The Milwaukee County Committee on Transportation and Transit convened on September 3, 2025, to address pressing issues surrounding fare evasion and its impact on bus operators and revenue. The meeting highlighted concerns raised by bus operators regarding the current fare collection practices and the reported statistics on fare evasion.

One operator recounted a previous decision made five years ago to reduce fares by a quarter, which was believed to help decrease assaults on bus operators. However, the operator expressed frustration with the current fare collection policies, noting that drivers are now discouraged from asking for fares, leading to a significant underreporting of fare evaders. The operator explained that the system requires drivers to report fare evaders only when the bus is stationary, which often results in missed opportunities to document non-payers.

The operator provided an estimate based on discussions with fellow drivers, suggesting that if each of the approximately 500 bus operators encounters just ten fare evaders per shift, this could lead to an astonishing 30,000 free rides per week. This figure translates to over $3.1 million in lost revenue annually, a number the operator believes is likely underestimated.

The operator criticized the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) for potentially relying on inaccurate data regarding fare evasion, as the current reporting mechanism does not capture the full extent of the issue. The operator's insights underscored the need for a reevaluation of fare collection practices to ensure both the safety of operators and the financial sustainability of the transit system.

The meeting concluded with a call for further investigation into fare evasion statistics and a discussion on potential solutions to improve fare collection and enhance the safety of bus operators. The committee plans to continue addressing these issues in future meetings, emphasizing the importance of accurate data and effective policies to support both operators and the transit system as a whole.