Bus Only Traffic Lanes
Metro’s new bus rapid transit (BRT) system brings about a few new things for motorists to be aware of when out in Madison traffic including newly marked, dedicated bus lanes.
Dedicated Lanes
There are now clearly marked lanes where only buses are allowed to travel along BRT roadways, or Metro's Rapid Route A line. Markings include bright red concrete, red and white lines, BUS ONLY street lettering, and posted signage.
Some dedicated lanes are in the far right side of the street, like the example above, but some are in the far left and service stations that are in the median of the roadway. If the lane is bright red or has a solid red line, it is BUS ONLY and regular motorist are not allowed to use.
Exceptions
There are some instances where vehicle drivers can use these lanes. Look for posted signage and/or street lettering, and please exercise caution when driving in these areas.
Left turns are allowed in some areas - look for dashed lines where motorists making a left turn can briefly enter the bus lane to complete the turn. An example is below.
Vehicle travel allowed during certain times of day - In some areas, motorists are allowed to travel in the BUS ONLY lane during certain times of the day. These lanes will not be painted red. Look for signage along the roadways.
- On E. Washington between Milwaukee St. and Wright St. - other vehicles can travel in this lane during rush hours.
- On Johnson St., between Bassett St. and State St. - “bus only” lane only exists during rush hour with parking in the lane allowed during other times of the day.
Other Items of Note
- Some left turns have been removed along the corridor for your safety. Don’t turn left in front of buses, or posted signage directs that it’s not allowed.
- You may see emergency vehicles or bikes in these bus only lanes
- Buses have special signals and sometimes may appear to run red lights. Vehicles drivers should continue to follow standard red, yellow, and green traffic lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
BRT is not in service yet. Can I drive in red lanes for now?
We apologize for the confusion. Some areas are still under construction and traffic is being diverted into red lanes. In other areas, signage has not been installed yet.
At this point, we ask if you can, please avoid the red lanes. We do have buses out practicing the route and docking buses at BRT stations.
When signage is completely installed, it will be more clear as to where/when to avoid the red lanes.
We ask in advance and express our appreciation for motorists' patience as we finish up construction.
The bus lane eastbound on University Ave. at Midvale Blvd. is closest to the median and the left-turn lane is on the outside. Will cars be making a left turn in front of the bus? How will the bus pull out back into traffic if the lane directly to its right has a line of cars waiting to turn left?
The bus will get a queue jump. When the bus leaves the station, it will get a very short phase where the bus proceeds ahead while other traffic still has a red light.
Will this be the arrangement at East Wash and First Street as well?
Yes.
Will the red colorization be more slippery than regular pavement?
The red material applied to the bus lanes is intended to make the “bus only” markings more visible and make it more clear where you’re allowed, and not allowed, to share the lane.
MMA (Methyl Methacrylate) is a common pavement colorization material is commonly applied to bike lanes and other pavement projects. that has been applied for decades to bike lanes and in other uses.
MMA material is required to meet certain skid resistance requirements. Metro is in the processing of testing the material to ensure it meets these requirements. Pending the results of final tests, additional materials may be added to ensure skid resistance is up to specified resistance.
How often will the red BRT lanes need to be repainted? Is the paint toxic and, if so, will it slowly wash off the streets and further pollute Madison lakes?
The red material should last 10 years, at which point it may need touch ups. Once it applies it dries within a couple of hours and then it is durable and does not wash off. Crews who apply the material are trained and control the spray so that it does not get where it’s not supposed to be.
What is the impact of the red bus lanes on emergency vehicles? Who will have the right of way: buses or emergency vehicles?
Emergency vehicles will have the right of way.
What should vehicle drivers do when an emergency vehicle is using these red bus-only lanes?
Upon the approach of any emergency vehicle giving audible signal by siren, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way by pulling to the right-hand side of the roadway until the emergency vehicle has passed.
Read FAQs on Emergency Vehicles
Where the red-painted BRT lanes intersect with left-turn lanes, who will have the right-of-way: the bus or the vehicle? If there are several vehicles waiting to turn left in such cases, what will the bus do?
Bus lanes and left turn lanes are separated, so buses won’t be regularly waiting for left turns.
At signal-controlled intersections where buses and left turns cross over each other, each will have a dedicated signal and will proceed at different times.
When vehicles merge into the bus lane to make a turn, they will have to yield to the bus that’s already in the lane, which is the case whenever lane changes are made.
How will drivers from outside of Madison know who to navigate BRT lanes?
The lanes are clearly designated with pavement markings and signs. Keep in mind, many of the pavement markings and signs aren’t done yet. If you see some seemingly random red patches, it will be a lot clearer when it’s done.
Will reserving lanes for BRT buses restrict traffic and increase travel time for other vehicles?
No, for the most part travel lanes are not being removed. Some exceptions are Whitney Way, which will have one lane instead of two.
Traffic modeling shows that this lane reduction will not result in delays because there are no major traffic signals in the one-lane stretch.
Johnson St. through the UW campus is being reduced from four lanes to three, but like University Ave., the right lane is almost exclusively used by buses and right turns today.
East Washington Ave. will have two lanes instead of three, but at peak times, three lanes will be available when they are needed.
Are vehicles allowed in BRT travel lanes that are only partially painted red, or not painted at all?
No, drivers need to follow the pavement markings and signs. If it says bus only, it is only for Metro Transit buses. If it says buses and left turns, then you can use the lane for those purposes.
When the pavement markings are complete, there will be a solid line which you cannot cross, and some broken lines where you can cross to make a left turn.
Metro is working closely with public information officers within various City departments, including Madison Police Department, to educate the public about these changes as service begins this fall.
How will the city keep private vehicles from using the bus lanes?
The bus lanes will be enforced like other traffic laws with a focus on education and safety during the first several months of service. Madison has had bus lanes for several decades, and we have experienced good compliance from drivers. We expect that success to continue.
Can school buses or other private bus companies use these red lanes?
No. These lanes are meant for Metro Transit buses only.
On the red paint on roads, for example Whitney Way. Some are nearly a half mile to the next boarding station. Does that mean cars must stay out of that lane and if so, does that effectively close off that lane to traffic?
Yes.
Taking the Mineral Point Road and Grand Canyon intersection for example, will cars be able to make left turns from Mineral Point onto Grand Canyon? If so, from which lane?
Yes, all left turns are maintained on Mineral Point Road including to Grand Canyon. Left turn lanes will be clearly marked. Lane lines and signs are in the process of being installed right now. At Mineral Point and Grand Canyon, westbound left turns will be made from the second to left lane, and eastbound in the left-most lane. These lanes will be clearly established with familiar pavement markings and signs.
Will there be signs making clear that East Washington Ave. will have two lanes instead of three, but at peak times, three lanes will be available?
Yes there will be signs that say “No stopping, standing, or parking 3 pm to 6 pm”, or 7 am to 9 am.
Questions?
If you still have questions, email mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com.
Metro has launched a new fare system that makes riding the bus faster, easier, and more convenient.
Features include:
- Online accounts with reloadable smartcards
- Pay as you go fare capping discounts
- Half price fares for youth, seniors, those with disabilities and low income
- Ticket vending machines at BRT stations
- Board and tap at any bus door when boarding at a BRT station
