Don’t Let People with Disabilities Get Left Behind
Speak Up for Accessible Transportation at the Milwaukee County Budget Hearing on October 27
Accessible transportation is vital to independence, opportunity, and inclusion. For many Milwaukee County residents with disabilities, public transit and paratransit services are a lifeline to work, doctors, school, and community life. Put simply, without public transit Milwaukee comes to a halt.
As Milwaukee County prepares to adopt its 2026 budget, proposed funding cuts could seriously impact these essential services. The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors will hold a public budget hearing on Monday, October 27 at the Mitchell Park Domes (524 S. Layton Blvd.). Doors open at 5 p.m. and the hearing begins at 6 p.m.
Now is the time to make your voice heard!
What might be cut?
The proposed 2026 Milwaukee County Budget includes:
- A 15% reduction in transit service hours
- Elimination of six bus routes:
- Route 20 (S. 20th Street)
- Route 28 (108th Street)
- Route 33 (Vliet–4th Street)
- Route 34 (Hopkins–Congress)
- Route 55 (Layton Avenue)
- Route 58 (Villard Avenue)
- Reduced frequency on 22 additional routes
- Fare increase from $2.00 to $2.75
- Elimination of the same-day paratransit pilot project
There’s a small piece of good news: the Transit Plus paratransit van service remains unchanged for now, with no fare increase or service-area reductions. But for many riders, losing same-day options and key bus routes will mean fewer choices and more isolation.
HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION
Your story matters. If you rely on public transit or paratransit, please reach out to your County Supervisor and share how these services impact your daily life. Let them know that accessible, reliable transportation is essential to community participation and economic opportunity.
You can:
- Email or call your County Supervisor to share your experience and concerns
- Ask to schedule a meeting or phone call to discuss the budget
- Attend the budget hearing and speak directly to decision-makers
Find your County Supervisor: findyourcountysupervisor.com
See contact info for all Supervisors: Milwaukee County Board Members
PARTICIPATING IN THE HEARING
The public hearing on Monday, October 27 is an opportunity to show support for transportation access:
- Doors open at 5:00 p.m., hearing begins at 6:00 p.m.
- Those wishing to speak should arrive early and fill out a comment card
- Each speaker has two minutes to share their comments
- You may also register to speak virtually through the County Board website: county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Board-of-Supervisors
If you need help registering or preparing to speak, contact your County Supervisor - or reach out to Independence First for guidance.
REQUESTING ACCOMODATIONS
Milwaukee County strives to make public events accessible to all.
If you need an ASL interpreter or other accommodation, please contact the Milwaukee County Office for Persons with Disabilities at 414-278-3932 (voice) or 711 (TRS). Requests should be made as soon as possible to ensure services are in place.
TOGETHER, WE CAN PROTECT ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT
Cuts to transit and paratransit services would limit mobility for thousands of Milwaukee residents—especially people with disabilities who depend on these systems to live independently and participate fully in our community.
Let’s stand together for access, inclusion, and independence.
Make your voice heard on October 27.