Milwaukee County Supervisor Shawn Rolland has proposed a plan to address fare evasion on public buses by deploying security personnel on buses and at key stops. The proposal also aims to help close an $11 million budget shortfall for the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), according to WISN.
As reported by WTMJ, the initiative is structured as a pilot program with $620,965 redirected from a previous allocation meant for security camera upgrades at county facilities, including the Criminal Justice Facility. Fare evasion reportedly cost MCTS $4 million in lost revenue in 2024, with one-third of riders avoiding payment in 2025.
U.S. Congressman Bryan Steil has introduced the “No Free Rides Act,” which would cut federal funding for transit systems that adopt universal fare-free policies. Rolland told WTMJ that the act would not affect MCTS, as the agency continues to require riders to pay fares.
In connection with delayed camera upgrades, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office clarified that the new equipment includes object identification technology but not facial recognition capabilities, according to WTMJ. The clarification followed concerns from county supervisors seeking a clearer AI policy.
The proposal, supported by Supervisor Steve Taylor, will be reviewed by the County Committee on Finance yesterday as part of ongoing budget discussions, according to reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
