A 2008 study by the UWM Center for Economic Development found that between 2001 and 2007, the region’s two major public transit providers Milwaukee County Transit System and Waukesha Metro Transit have reduced bus route miles by 20% as the result of escalating operating costs and lack of a dedicated local funding source.

The UWM Center for Economic Development found that cutbacks in public transit services are having a negative impact on employment and access to jobs. In 2007, as compared to 2001:

1,713 fewer employers were located within walking distance of a bus stop

The percentage of employers in the 4-county Milwaukee metropolitan area located within walking distance of a bus stop declined from 63% to 55%

At a minimum, 40,507 jobs became inaccessible by public transit