Bus Rapid Transit to Launch on September 22

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is pleased to announce Madison is entering a new era of public transportation. Metro Transit’s East-West bus rapid transit line is scheduled to start on September 22. The launch of bus rapid transit is a culmination of Mayor Rhodes-Conway's MetroForward initiative kicked off in 2019 to address the transportation needs of our growing city. 

“I want to thank the Biden-Harris administration for recognizing that Madison needed a historic investment in our transportation infrastructure. We received nearly $140 million in federal funds to make this possible,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “The launch of the East-West BRT route is a monumental step forward for our community, and our transit system. I’m proud to say we are well on our way to integrating a North-South BRT line as well. September 22 will be a big day for Madison and it’s just the beginning.”

The new Rapid Route A will run on the East-West Rapid Corridor with service running approximately every 15 minutes throughout most of the day. Routes B and F will also operate using the buses, stations, and lanes of BRT but will branch off to serve local stops. The increased frequency of service will be a game-changing development for commuters, young people, and residents seeking efficient transit options. 

Metro’s new BRT system is possible thanks to a new state-of-the-art maintenance facility, new charging technology, and a new fleet of high-performance all-electric buses funded by the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law. These significant upgrades are a critical tool for Madison creating a healthy environment for our residents and meeting the City’s 100 percent renewable energy and net-zero carbon emissions goals. 

Metro’s Rapid Route A, and local Routes B and F will be served by 60-foot, articulated all-electric buses with dual-side boarding options. These new, bigger buses can carry double the number of passengers and will cut through traffic thanks to dedicated bus lanes and priority traffic signals. The 43 new boarding stations along the East-West Rapid Corridor are in the final stages of construction and are designed to improve the passenger experience. The new BRT buses also have enhanced features that will make Metro more accessible to all members of our community. 

Metro General Manager Justin Stuehrenberg says all of the recent changes at Metro Transit are aimed at alleviating passenger overcrowding, speeding up travel times, and simplifying the system.

"Our team has worked tirelessly for years to bring this transformative BRT project to completion, and I'm thrilled to announce the opening date," said Stuehrenberg. "I'm confident it will bring significant mobility and economic benefits to the Madison region, while also serving as a national model to be emulated by others."

Additionally, Metro is also launching its Fast Fare system in September in preparation for the launch of the East-West Rapid Corridor routes. A new Bus Tracker system, intended to be more user-friendly, is already being rolled out. These new technologies will make riding the bus faster and more convenient. 

Metro will continue to provide regular updates on the launch of bus rapid transit. Later this month and in early September, Metro will be hosting opening houses at several BRT stations around the city. Stayed tune for details on Metro’s website and social media channels.