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Transit hours cut, Metrolift demand surges; city to rely partly on ARPA to balance 2026 budget
Summary
Transit staff told the Finance Committee that route consolidation and service-hour reductions improved riders per revenue hour but required fewer operators; Metrolift demand surged and the city's 2026 transit subsidy is projected at about $1.27 million with ARPA and other relief funds used to balance the budget.
Waukesha Metro leadership told the Finance Committee that service changes enacted in 2025—consolidating routes from 10 to 8 and cutting about 15% of service hours—have increased system efficiency but also reduced operator headcount and shifted costs.
Brian Eagle King, transit manager, said ridership per revenue hour improved (8.4 YTD through September and up to 9 passengers per revenue hour in summer months after consolidation). He said fixed‑route ridership remained largely steady despite the reduction in hours, while Metrolift (ADA paratransit) ridership rose sharply—projected to exceed 12,000 rides for the year, the highest since 2013—requiring additional vehicles and operators.
Finance and transit staff said the total Waukesha Metro budget is roughly $7 million (with related county transit amounts mixed in to a broader $8.85M figure shown in presentation). The city’s direct subsidy portion is projected at about $1.27 million for 2026, the lowest since 2010, with the remainder covered by county contributions, federal grants and passenger fares (fares cover roughly 10–12% of operating costs). Staff acknowledged that ARPA and other federal relief funds are being used to balance part of the 2026 budget; those funds expire at the end of federal fiscal year 2029 and the city expects remaining ARPA allocations to be drawn during early 2026 budget cycles.
Committee members asked about long‑term sustainability; staff said further reductions in hours could have real impacts on riders. There was no formal action at the meeting, but committee members were briefed on current ridership metrics, funding mix and planned service adjustments for January 2026.
Quotes: "We consolidated from 10 to 8 routes in June and reduced 15% of the service hours, while we maintain much of the ridership," Eagle King said. "Metrolift ridership is skyrocketing—we're actually gonna see over 12,000 rides for the year."
