By Tiffany Crouse
The Milwaukee County Transit System is now offering unlimited free rides to seniors and persons with disabilities through a new transit card. Applications were first accepted and processed Tuesday, March 31. That same day the first “Go Passes” were handed out to eligible people.
Once the application has been filled out, processed, and you receive your Go Pass, you can use it that same day.
“Long lines and long waits for the first day” said Brandon Conway, Media Coordinator for MCTS. Conway believes that the long waits will only be for the first few weeks. After the initial wave of people coming to get their IDs, it should only take about five minutes to get your go pass.
In order to receive a Go Pass you need only one of these four things.
You need to be 65 or older with a current ID that proves Milwaukee residency.
You need a government ID that proves age and Milwaukee residency.
You must have a doctor’s note describing your disability on a professional letterhead or a prescription slip. Both of these things need to be paired with a photo ID. Look at the requirements for persons with disabilities to be eligible for a Go Pass here: http://www.ridemcts.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/go-pass-application.pdf.
– Or if you already own a reduced fare card, you can bring that in with a photo ID proving residency.
Seniors and persons with disabilities currently ride the bus at half fare, but MTCS wanted to make the bus more accessible for those who need it most in their community.
In order to get a Go Pass for yourself or another person, you will need to fill out the application and bring it to the MCTS administrative building: 1942 N 17th Street, Milwaukee WI 53205.
“We might be in your neighborhood in May,” said Conway.
MCTS says that they will be opening local application drop off locations in May, but as of right now in order to get a Go Pass you must go to the administrative building.
They will be accepting applications from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. MCTS advises Milwaukee residences to fill out their application at home and bring it to their registration to cut down on wait times.
The application and more information can be found at the Milwaukee County Transit System’s website at: http://www.ridemcts.com/fares-passes/go-pass.
