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County committee approves resolution directing MCTS to craft data‑driven fare‑compliance plan
Summary
The committee unanimously recommended a resolution instructing MCTS to develop a data‑driven strategy to increase fare compliance after supervisors and public testimony highlighted widespread fare evasion and potential revenue gains.
Milwaukee — The County Board’s Transportation and Transit Committee voted to recommend a resolution asking Milwaukee County Transit System to produce a data‑informed fare‑compliance strategy aimed at reducing fare evasion and strengthening long‑term revenue.
Supervisor Sean Rolland introduced the resolution, citing MCTS data that about one in four riders do not pay fares on some routes and describing personal observations of widespread nonpayment during midday rides. Rolland said substantially reducing evasion could yield millions of dollars toward the agency’s budget gap: he noted MCTS estimates that lowering evasion from 25% to 15% could realize roughly $3 million.
What the resolution asks The measure asks MCTS to evaluate national and regional models, identify nonpunitive compliance and equity‑conscious interventions, coordinate with county departments (including health and human services) and recommend operational, enforcement, outreach and technology options to improve fare payment.
Public testimony and operational suggestions Union members, operators and advocates urged attention to safety and to pairing enforcement with social services. Testifiers and supervisors suggested several approaches raised in the meeting: periodic fare‑compliance teams or transit rangers to validate payment, better communication and outreach to riders, partnerships with social‑services providers for people experiencing homelessness, and targeted precincts to improve compliance on specific routes. MCTS has previously piloted or explored security and outreach approaches; the resolution asks MCTS to compile evidence and options.
Committee action Supervisor Ekblad moved to recommend adoption; the motion passed on a roll call vote of four ayes, zero noes.
Speakers (first reference): Supervisor Sean Rolland (sponsor); Kyle Bridal, ATU Local 998 member; Michael Brown, ATU Local 998 president; MCTS staff provided technical answers to supervisory questions.
