Transit agency presses for driver‑barrier upgrades and $7.5M yard overhaul

Ruben Salas, deputy VP/CEO of Milwaukee County Transit System, described two priority projects the agency asked the committee to move higher in the capital plan: driver barrier shield upgrades to better enclose and protect operators, and design funds for a comprehensive replacement of the concrete yard and parking lot at its heavy maintenance facility.

Salas said MCTS is prototyping larger driver barriers and surveying operators; of 318 drivers who tested prototypes, roughly 75% said the new shield made them feel safer and a majority compared it favorably to the old shield. The vehicle retrofit is scalable and could outfit approximately 70 vehicles at current quotes, with potential per‑unit price declines if the agency purchases larger quantities.

On the yard replacement, MCTS asked for design funds this year and presented a planning construction estimate of about $7.5M for a city‑block sized yard; staff said they would consider phasing construction to manage operational impacts and budget pressures. Supervisors asked whether federal grant opportunities or phased approaches could reduce the county cash burden; agency staff said they would explore grants and phasing.

The committee did not take a funding vote; MCTS requested further discussion about moving projects from the 'below the line' list into the funding envelope.