Amid projected $7.1 million revenue shortfall, MCTS officials grilled by county supervisors

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Transit System officials were grilled by Milwaukee County supervisors Thursday, May 19th.

This, as MCTS is facing a projected $7.1 million shortage in revenue for the year.

That is based on data from the first three months of the year.

MCTS hoped to bring in $37.6 million for 2016.

"The transit system is still getting people to work, getting people to school, making sure this is an economic engine for Milwaukee County, and right now, how we're setting this up -- we're failing," Michael Mayo Sr. said.

"The good news, if there is some good news, is that the transit system is experiencing and projecting to experience lower than anticipated costs in the area of fringe benefits -- primarily in healthcare," Dan Boehm, MCTS managing director said.

MCTS officials say a number of factors play into the drop in ridership -- such as lower gas prices and an increase in ride-sharing programs like Uber and Lyft.

Other factors MCTS officials say are in play include: