Q: What is the Connector study?
A: The Milwaukee Connector Study is investigating and evaluating new transit technologies and routes for metropolitan Milwaukee. Transit corridors throughout Milwaukee County will be studied, focusing on bus rapid transit and fixed rail streetcars.

Q: Who is sponsoring the study?
A: The project is being led by the Wisconsin Center District with partners the City of
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
(MMAC). The study is being funded through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. (FTA), administered by the Wisconsin Center District.

Q: How long will this study take and why is it different from the last one?
A: This is a continuation of the last study, not a new one. This phase is focusing on proposed alternative plans forwarded by the Mayor and the County Executive and is expected to take 12-16 months to meet the requirements of the Federal Transit Administration.

Q. How much has this study cost? Why are we still studying? What makes you think after 9 years of disagreement, you can get agreement on a plan?
A: The project has been funded through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. Approximately $9.5 million in study funds had been allocated to Milwaukee to evaluate transit alternatives. The study sponsors have been contributing "in-kind " services to the project to match the federal grant.

The proposed alternatives currently being studied have been initiated by the City and County as a means of seeking consensus on transit improvements and investments that can best utilize the $91.5 million in federal funds reserved for Milwaukee.

Q: When will something be built?
A: The Connector Study is following the federal Small Starts (Section 5309) process. The study and project development process can take several years. We hope to reach consensus on a plan late this year or early next year. After local and federal approval, we would begin preliminary engineering and would be required to follow a federal process. Construction time will depend on what alternative(s) are selected the federal process required.

Q: How much will it cost?
A: The project cost will depend on what is built. At this point without knowing the routes and vehicles that will be selected, we cannot estimate cost. One option being considered by the project Steering Committee is to apply for federal transit funds through FTA's Small Starts program which limits total project costs to $250 million.

Q: What types of vehicles will the Connector use?
A: The technologies under consideration are Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and fixed rail modern streetcar. BRT is being studied for the routes that extend outward from the City of Milwaukee and the streetcar is being studied for circulating passengers downtown Milwaukee.

Q: How much do these vehicles cost?
A: The bus rapid transit technology could cost between $400,000 - $1.5 million per vehicle, depending on the type of vehicle selected and the vehicle configuration. The streetcar could cost between $3 million - $3.5 million per vehicle.

Q: What is the difference between light rail and the streetcar?
A: Both technologies operate on a fixed track. The streetcar is lighter, has a shallower track, and can sometimes be built without expensive relocation of utilities. Streetcars operate well in dense urban areas, are generally smaller, cannot be trained (add or remove cars). Streetcars are generally less expensive than traditional light rail.

Q: Why did you pick these routes?
A: The initial corridors were selected because they are currently the most heavily used bus routes within Milwaukee County. What we are showing are corridors rather than routes because there are several alternative routes that could be used to reach various destinations. The purpose is to connect major regional destinations and employment centers to people using mass transit.

Q: What does the Connector do that is different than our existing bus system?
A: The proposed BRT component would operate much like an express bus system with faster travel times, fewer stops, more frequent service, real-time information about the next vehicle arrival time, enhanced passenger amenities at stations and on vehicles, and off-vehicle ticketing at the transit stops to allow for quicker entry onto the vehicle.

The proposed Streetcar component would include similar amenities and serve workers,
residents, and visitors to circulate among downtown neighborhoods and attractions.

To qualify for FTA Small Starts funding the project must have the following elements:
• Transit signal priority
• Substantial transit stations
• Low floor/level boarding vehicles
• Special branding of service
• Frequent service (10 min peak/15 min off peak)
• Service at least 14 hours per day

Q: Why are you doing this study? We have a perfectly good bus system.
A: The study is not meant to replace the good bus system that Milwaukee has. The goal is to implement enhancements that can integrate with the bus system to improve service. Milwaukee's bus system has experienced fare increases and route cut backs and is currently operating with an aging fleet of vehicles that are not energy efficient. The Connector would complement the existing bus system.

The goals of the Connector study are to implement transit improvements that:
• enhance Milwaukee's image as a world class city and helps us compete with other
metropolitan areas which already have extensive modern transit systems
• promote transit use by new riders--that will attract riders who now drive and who do not use buses--but might choose transit if it were user friendly, efficient, and attractive.
• stimulate economic development--both new construction and expansion.
• connects residents to jobs; and residents and visitors to attractions, shopping, and
entertainment venues.
• are financially feasible.
• have environmental benefits.
• provide an asset that will attract and keep young professionals in Milwaukee.

Q: Why don't you use the money to support the Milwaukee County Transit System? To restore the routes they have already been cut?
A: The existing $91.5 million in funding is for capital improvements to transit and cannot be used to fund operating deficits within the existing system. Operation of the existing bus system in Milwaukee relies on funding from the local property tax to match federal funding.

Q: How will the implementation of new bus rapid transit lines affect the existing
Milwaukee County Transit bus routes near those lines?
A: It is not uncommon for cities like Milwaukee to evaluate bus route integration and possible consolidation as part of a fixed guideway transit improvement project. Although some bus routes may be re-configured, overall travel time savings, quality of ride, frequency of service and system efficiencies will also be realized. The Connector will be designed in partnership with the Milwaukee County Transit System to work seamlessly and in concert with the current bus system.

Q: Will on-street parking be eliminated?
A: The alignments for the routes have not been finalized. The streetcar is likely to operate in mixed traffic and parking lanes could remain. Options include the conversion of existing parallel parking to angled parking along the routes and on side streets and the reconfiguration of existing parking to optimize capacity.

Q: Will bus rapid transit and the streetcar work in snow and ice?
A: Yes. Good snow removal (rather than merely plowing) will likely be required for the
effective and efficient operation of both technologies.

Q: How does this project relate to the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail project or the high speed rail project to Madison?
A: The project would complement other transit initiatives not duplicate them. The proposed KRM and High Speed Rail initiatives are inter-urban systems that would connect Milwaukee with other cities and the Connector could provide connections between the Intermodal Station and downtown and connected destinations.