Transit manager outlines service reductions, rising paratransit demand in Waukesha

Brian Eagle King, the city’s transit manager, told the Common Council that the city's transit system has undergone a multi‑year restructuring to respond to declining pre‑COVID ridership, fiscal constraints and the transit development plan implemented in June 2023.

King said the city reduced fixed‑route service hours, consolidated routes (from 10 to 8 routes), and eliminated some underperforming service to match demand and available funding. He said the changes have improved passenger efficiency: "through May of this year, we're now at 9.3" rides per service hour on average systemwide.

He explained that consolidations and service adjustments have reduced operating hours but also allowed the city to plan capital savings by reducing fleet replacement needs; the transit plan anticipates retiring about six buses over the next several years, which King estimated would cut roughly $4.2 million in fleet replacement costs (with 80% federal share for replacement purchases).

King said Metro Lift (paratransit) ridership has grown markedly and is more expensive to operate, with recent audit figures showing per‑ride costs "just under $40 per ride." He said Metro Lift averages roughly 2.25 rides per hour and will likely continue to grow as the city’s senior population increases.

Council members asked for clarifications about riders per hour, bus counts and bus sizing. King said typical weekday operations deploy roughly 11 buses and explained why switching exclusively to smaller Metro Lift‑style buses would likely increase maintenance needs and costs.

King said staff will bring a more detailed presentation about bus sizing and fleet choices to the council in the coming month and that staff will seek additional buses in the capital improvement program to keep up with demand where justified.

Next steps: staff will present a follow‑up briefing on vehicle sizing, maintenance implications and CIP requests for additional buses.