From the “Life Moves Pretty Fast” and “Never Mind” Departments…
Last week, on Monday, September 8, Milwaukee County Supervisor Sheldon A. Wasserman introduced a resolution that would discontinue Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) service on Christmas Day. Why? To give bus drivers the day off on a historically low-ridership holiday, Wasserman explained, and to save the cash-strapped MCTS up to $133,000.
The resolution…wasn’t well received. How do we know? Because just four days later, on Friday, September 12, Wasserman withdrew it.
“Since introducing this proposal, I’ve heard directly from riders who depend on our buses on Christmas Day—people who need to get to work, to visit family, or simply to carry out the daily responsibilities of life,” Wasserman said in a Friday press release. “These stories made it clear that this service is not a luxury, but a necessity for thousands of Milwaukee County residents.”
So there you go! Just thought we’d share! For the record, here are the two press releases!
Monday, September 8:
Wasserman Resolution Calls for Giving MCTS Workers Christmas Day Off
Proposal to align service with low ridership could save MCTS over $100,000
MILWAUKEE – A resolution currently supporting consideration of discontinuing Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) service on Christmas Day as a potential cost-saving measure is expected to be taken up by the County Board’s Committee on Finance. It is currently being circulated for cosponsorship. The measure, introduced by Supervisor Sheldon A. Wasserman, would both eliminate service on Christmas Day to help improve MCTS’s financial sustainability as well as work to improve worker morale, giving our hard-working transit operators a much-needed day off. According to Wasserman:
“Aligning service levels with actual ridership is a responsible step toward long-term financial stability for MCTS. Christmas Day consistently has the lowest ridership of the year, with schools, government, and most businesses closed.
“Our hard-working bus drivers deserve the chance to be home with their families. This is also a day when families, faith leaders, and neighbors should step up to help with transit needs. No one should be alone on Christmas—and that includes a transit operator alone on a bus.”
The resolution cites the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation’s June 18, 2025 report projecting a $10.9 million shortfall in the MCTS departmental budget. Major drivers of that projection include lower-than-expected passenger revenue and higher-than-budgeted wage and benefit costs.
The resolution also references 2024 ridership data showing 13,931 boardings on Christmas Day and 38,362 boardings the following day. Based on 2024 data, MCTS projects that discontinuing service on Christmas Day could save up to $133,000.
Friday, September 12…
Wasserman Withdraws Resolution Cutting Christmas Day Bus Service
Cites riders’ stories, urges State to provide tools to adequately fund public transit
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Supervisor Sheldon A. Wasserman announced today that he is withdrawing his proposal to discontinue Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) service on Christmas Day. The decision comes after hearing from riders who shared the critical role that transit plays in their lives on holidays as well as throughout the year. According to Wasserman:
“Since introducing this proposal, I’ve heard directly from riders who depend on our buses on Christmas Day – people who need to get to work, to visit family, or simply to carry out the daily responsibilities of life,” said Wasserman. “These stories made it clear that this service is not a luxury, but a necessity for thousands of Milwaukee County residents.”
In 2024, MCTS provided nearly 14,000 rides on Christmas Day. For many of those riders, transit is their only reliable way to access jobs, religious institutions, friends, and family.
Wasserman noted that a broader challenge facing Milwaukee County transit is not unique to one holiday but tied to structural funding issues. The County continues to struggle with providing state-mandated services without sufficient state support, which directly affects the reliability and effectiveness of the transit system.
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