![]() ![]() It enabled people to connect to basic needs and services such as benefits, counseling, support groups, reconnecting with family.” “The Go Pass really supported more independence and community integration for Milwaukee residents with disabilities, including individuals who are homeless,” says Disability Rights Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Director Barbara Beckert. Advocates for public health and low-income residents and those with disabilities rallied to save it. When MCTS released its 2017 budget proposal last fall, the Go Pass program was out. The agency estimated that if the program continued providing free rides it would result in a $4.4 million loss of bus fare revenue in 2017. Conway says 27,000 Go Pass holders have taken about 13.5 million free rides since the launch, accounting for about 20 percent of all MCTS bus rides in that period. By September 2015, Go Pass holders were taking over 100,000 rides per week. ![]() But it went into place despite fears of cost overruns,” says MCTS Chief Communications Officer Brendan Conway. The County Executive vetoed it over concerns by a number of groups including the transit agency. “The plan was put in place by the County Board of Supervisors. When it launched in 2015, the Growing Opportunities Pass program was available to any resident of Milwaukee County who is at least 65 years old or has a disability, regardless of income. Instead, MCTS is implementing a means test and will charge a small fee for rides. ![]() Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is ending a two-year-old program that provides free rides to seniors and people with disabilities, citing significant cost overruns. ![]()
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