Waukesha Metro Transit

Public transit agency

Waukesha Metro Transit

A Waukesha Metro Transit bus in front of the transit center

Founded| 1981
Headquarters| 2311 Badger Drive
Locale| Waukesha, WI
Service type| bus service, paratransit
Fleet| 45[1]
Annual ridership| 464,344 (2022)[1]
Operator|

* City of Waukesha (intra-county)
* Wisconsin Coach Lines (express)

Website| waukeshametro.org

Waukesha Metro Transit is a public transit agency operating in the city of Waukesha and throughout Waukesha County. Founded in 1981, the system directly operates ten bus routes, contracts three commuter routes to Wisconsin Coach Lines, and partially funds two routes of Milwaukee County Transit System which extend into Waukesha County.

Waukesha Metro is also one of five transit agencies that are part of the Southeast Wisconsin Transit System.

## History

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This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2023)

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Following the approval of a referendum in 1980, Waukesha Metro Transit started operating in 1981, returning bus service to the city for the first time since 1977.[2] Paratransit service, under the name Metrolift, began in 1982 under contract with Dairyland Buses Inc.[3]

In 2023, Waukesha Metro began adding support for Milwaukee County Transit System's fare system.[4]

As of September 2025, Waukesha Metro is planning on ending commuter service on routes 904 and 905. [5] In June 2025 Waukesha Metro eliminated routes 2 and 7 and reduced service on routes 1 and 15. [6]

## Services

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Waukesha Metro Transit

No. | Route | Notes
1 | Waukesha/Froedtert | Downtown Transit Center to Milwaukee Regional Medical Center; transfers with Milwaukee County Transit System Connect 1
3 | Moreland | Downtown Transit Center to Target;2/3 Weekends
4 | Grand | Downtown Transit Center to Wal-Mart
5 | Prairie | Downtown Transit Center to the Shoppes at Fox River
6 | St. Paul | Downtown Transit Center to Badger Dr Via Kohls
8 | Summit | Downtown Transit Center to University of Wisconsin–Waukesha; 7/8 Weeknights and Weekends
9 | Northview | Downtown Transit Center to Waukesha County Technical College
15 | Racine | Downtown Transit Center to Meijer and South High School
Waukesha County Transit (operated by Wisconsin Coach Lines)
No. | Route | Notes
904 | Oconomowoc/Milwaukee Express | Via Hartland terminating on Wisconsin Ave at Cass St (ends September 27th, 2025)
905 | Delafield/Milwaukee Express | Via Delafield terminating on Wisconsin Ave at Cass St (ends September 27th, 2025)
Note: These route descriptions are derived from the System Map[7] and timetables.[8]

## Downtown Transit Center

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The Downtown Transit Center is located in downtown Waukesha at 212 East Saint Paul Ave. The center replaced the former transfer center, which was crowded on a road between the Fox River and the back end of buildings along West Main St. It serves as the central transfer point for 12 routes of the system's routes. It opened in October 2004 and provides an indoor waiting area, restrooms, 13 covered bus bays, a drivers’ lounge, and a customer service area. The Downtown Transit Center also includes a two-floor parking ramp for 460 vehicles. The opening was originally planned for late summer of 2004, but this was delayed due to WisDOT complaints that adjacent streets would be converted from one-way to two way in order to improve access and safety. These improvements eventually were allowed, and the center opened under the $16 million budget. The City of Waukesha implemented security upgrades to the Downtown Transit Center in 2017 and 2018.[9][10]

## Ridership

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In an October 2022 newsletter, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission reported that Waukesha Metro Transit "performs very well", but recommends possible straightening of some routes if ridership doesn't return to pre-pandemic levels.[11]

Waukesha Metro Transit ridership over time[12]

| Ridership | Change over previous year
2013  | 1,206,354 | n/a
2014  | 1,145,463 | 05.05%
2015  | 1,116,971 | 02.49%
2016  | 1,061,902 | 04.93%
2017  | 1,023,938 | 03.58%
2018  | 996,662 | 02.66%
2019  | 920,281 | 07.66%
2020  | 484,552 | 047.35%
2021  | 435,479 | 010.13%
2022[1] | 464,344 | 06.63%
2023  | 466,611 | 00.49%

## See also

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* List of bus transit systems in the United States
* Milwaukee County Transit System
* Washington County Commuter Express

## References

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1. ^ a b c "2022 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF).
2. ^ Johnson, Patt (September 1, 1981). "Bus service gets off to a modest start". The Milwaukee Journal.
3. ^ Martino, Sam (March 1, 1982). "Bus service for disabled seeks riders". The Milwaukee Journal.
4. ^ Wanek-Libman, Mischa (March 30, 2023). "MCTS set to launch WisGO April 1". Mass Transit. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
5. ^ https://webfile.waukesha-wi.gov/waukesha/Document_Center/Government/Transit/Hearing Notices/hearing notice Elimination of Waukesha County Commuter Service effective September 2025.pdf
6. ^ https://webfile.waukesha-wi.gov/waukesha/Document_Center/Government/Transit/Rider Alert 202512 June Service Changes1.pdf
7. ^ Waukesha Metro Transit System Map
8. ^ Waukesha Metro Transit Routes & Schedules
9. ^ "Existing Transit Services and Travel Patterns for Waukesha Metro Transit and Waukesha County Transit" (PDF).
10. ^ "Debate over traffic patterns to delay transit center opening". June 30, 2021.
11. ^ "Waukesha Area Transit Development Plan: Newsletter October 2022" (PDF). Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. October 18, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
12. ^ "Waukesha Metro Transit NTD Agency Profile". Retrieved November 6, 2024.

## External links

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* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Southeast Wisconsin Transit System

Bus Services|

* Milwaukee County Transit System
* Waukesha Metro Transit
* Ryde Racine
* Kenosha Area Transit
* Western Kenosha County Transit

Rail Services|

* The Hop
* Kenosha Streetcar
* Metra
* Union Pacific North Line

* v
* t
* e

Public transit in Wisconsin

Statewide|

* Amtrak
* Borealis
* Empire Builder
* Hiawatha
* Badger Bus
* Coach USA
* Greyhound Lines
* Indian Trails
* Jefferson Lines
* Lamers Bus Lines
* Van Galder Bus Company
* Wisconsin Coach Lines

Southeast Wisconsin|

* The Hop
* Kenosha Area Transit
* Kenosha Streetcar
* KRM Commuter Link (Proposed)
* Metra
* Union Pacific North Line
* Milwaukee County Transit System
* MCTS Connect
* Milwaukee–Watertown commuter train (defunct)
* Ryde Racine
* Washington County Commuter Express (defunct)
* Waukesha Metro Transit
* Western Kenosha County Transit

Northeast Wisconsin|

* Fond du Lac Area Transit
* GO Transit
* Green Bay Metro
* Langlade County Public Transit
* Maritime Metro Transit
* Shoreline Metro
* Valley Transit

Northwest Wisconsin|

* Bay Area Rural Transit
* Duluth Transit Authority
* Dunn County Transit
* Eau Claire Transit
* Metro Ride
* Namekagon Transit
* Stevens Point Transit

Southwest Wisconsin|

* Beloit Transit
* Janesville Transit System
* La Crosse Municipal Transit Utility
* Madison Metro Transit
* Monona Express (defunct)
* Platteville Public Transportation
* Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit

Transportation in Wisconsin
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