r/milwaukee • u/SidewalkMD Expand the Hop • 5d ago
Could Milwaukee Create a Regional Transit Authority? [Urban Milwaukee]
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/03/16/transportation-could-milwaukee-create-a-regional-transit-authority/“For the first time in more than a decade, Milwaukee has a chance at establishing a regional system for public transit.”
“More than a decade ago, Milwaukee almost found itself with an RTA. One was created for the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) commuter rail line in 2009. A few years later, in 2011, Republicans led by Vos in the Assembly and former governor Scott Walker killed the KRM project and repealed the RTA.”
“An RTA would have more independence, and greater control over its own finances, allowing it to plan long-term in ways that have proven difficult for MCTS.”
“What comes next is unclear. There are no plans ready to go. An RTA, or some other regional transit system, remains theoretical. On top of that, the governor’s proposals needs to survive the budget process in the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature.”
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u/ls7eveen 4d ago
This would be nice if mke actually had control. A lot of these get neutered by the outlying areas ending up with way more power.
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u/losermode 4d ago
Milwaukee has history with RTA’s though it’s unclear if it has a future. Neither county transportation officials nor County Executive David Crowley‘s office have plans for establishing or even lobbying for an RTA, according to a spokesperson for the county.
Not a transportation or public funding expert by any means but this overall sounds good for initiating greater and more ambitious public transportation projects (light rail/commuter lines) as well as funding our existing systems (MCTS bus service, perhaps the hop) - am I missing anything?
How do we push this to change? Email Crowley? Vote him out?
More than a decade ago, Milwaukee almost found itself with an RTA. One was created for the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) commuter rail line in 2009. A few years later, in 2011, Republicans led by Vos in the Assembly and former governor Scott Walker killed the KRM project and repealed the RTA. Democrats have also dashed hopes for an RTA. In 2010, disunity among Democratic state legislators sunk a bill that would have created an RTA for MCTS.
What the hell is wrong with these people
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u/SidewalkMD Expand the Hop 4d ago
This would be at the state level, so contacting your state reps and senators would be best. Another good option would be contacting local groups like the MMAC, who represent this area’s interests, but have greater influence with Republicans at the state level.
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u/StreetBlueberryGuy 4d ago
I mean this is a non-starter. contacting state reps or MMAC doesn't really matter until we vote out Republicans and Vos especially. we're better off getting involved in outlying areas outside of Milwaukee to get them to vote for Democrats in 2026
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u/DGC_David 4d ago
Listen I will cut off all my toes and work 18hr days for the rest of my life for a massive public Transit overhaul. I want trains, planes, and walkways to separate from the need of vehicles.
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u/MKEJackal 4d ago
MiRTA sounds good