The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) celebrated its 50th anniversary Wednesday with the unveiling of new buses and special commemorative wraps.
Fifty years ago, on July 1, 1975, the first MCTS bus rolled into service after Milwaukee County took over the struggling privately-owned transit system. Among the first riders that morning was Russell Schultz, a Milwaukee native and lifelong public transit enthusiast. He and a friend boarded bus number 1820, marking the beginning of a new era for public transportation in the city.
Schultz’s love for transit ran deep—he grew up riding the old streetcars and trackless trolleys before eventually becoming a bus operator himself. In 1995, he left his career as an insurance claims adjuster to drive for MCTS, a job he would hold for 23 years before retiring in 2018. “Big change in career, but always enjoyed it,” Schultz said. “This is my passion; this is my love.”
A lot has changed since that first ride in 1975, including the cost of a fare. Back then, a ride aboard an MCTS bus was just 50 cents. In 2025, that fare is $2, but it now comes with a ride on a brand-new fleet of buses rolling out as part of the system’s anniversary celebrations.
MCTS has begun taking delivery of 30 new GILLIG 6400 series Clean Diesel buses, ordered in 2024. The new buses feature upgraded amenities for both passengers and operators, including video monitors at the front of the bus, plastic seating replacing older fabric seats, and a security monitor that gives riders a full view of the bus interior. Operators will also experience an upgraded cockpit with a streamlined digital dash. Riders may notice similarities to the current CONNECT1 buses that run between The Couture downtown and the Froedtert campus in Wauwatosa.
As part of the celebration, MCTS has also wrapped a 5900 series bus in a design that mirrors the look of its 1975 fleet, paying homage to the system’s history.
Meanwhile, the new anniversary bus wraps incorporate blue and yellow hues and design elements inspired by Milwaukee landmarks, including the wings of the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Calatrava addition, the curving arch of the Hoan Bridge, and the blue of Lake Michigan.
“More new buses on the road bring you a smoother, faster, and more reliable experience,” said MCTS Interim Managing Director Julie Esch. She also shared some positive news about MCTS ridership, reporting a 13% increase from 2023, with 25.3 million riders in 2024 compared to 22.3 million the year before. While ridership still falls short of pre-pandemic levels—29 million in 2019, down from an average in the mid-30 million range earlier in the decade—the numbers suggest a strong recovery.
“For the past five decades, MCTS has literally been the lifeline for so many residents across Milwaukee County and all 19 municipalities,” said County Executive David Crowley. “It’s how many people get to work, how students get to school, and how families reach medical care.”
Looking ahead, MCTS Director of Maintenance Dwayne Reese summed up the significance of the new buses: “This is the future.”