METRO TRANSIT ANNOUNCES SERVICE UPDATES: Effective: Sunday, August 25

At a press conference on Thursday, August 22, Metro General Manager Chuck Kamp, Transit and Parking Commission Chair Gary Poulson, and Madison Alders Lauren Cnare and Denise DeMarb unveiled service expansions to the Owl Creek/Marsh Rd. area as well as Grandview Commons and Sprecher East neighborhoods. These service updates Metro's first significant expansion of service in more than ten years. "Given there are so many transit service cuts occurring throughout the country, we are thrilled that Metro service is expanding. This reflects positively on riders who are increasingly using Metro, as well as community leaders who support Metro by providing resources for this additional service," said Metro General Manager Chuck Kamp. Metro's newly created Route 31 serves the Owl Creek, Marsh Rd. and Twin Oaks neighborhoods and travels to LaFollette High School, the East Transfer Point and has connections to downtown. This route was created in response to feedback from the area's Neighborhood Resource Team and requests from residents and students for service in the area. The completely revamped Route 33 expands peak-hour service east of the interstate all the way to Grandview Commons and Sprecher East neighborhoods. The route creates a one-seat ride from these far eastside neighborhoods all the way downtown. "As the far east side has developed over the past 10 years, residents have asked about bus service", said Alder Lauren Cnare. "Now when they ask, we can happily say it starts Sunday. Cnare went on to say, "We are delighted to have the convenience and cost savings of commuter bus service in these new neighborhoods." All passengers are encouraged to check their trips before Sunday, August 25. Improvements and/or updates have been made to nearly every route. Other updates include: Route 2 - Increased frequency west of the Capitol Square. Route 10 - Expanded service to address overcrowding along University and Sheboygan avenues. Routes 14 & Route 15 - Updates made on East and West sides of service area. Route 14 service removed from Sheboygan Ave. (See Route 10). Route 15 commute travel removed from Sheboygan Ave. (see Route 10). Service adjusted using Route 33 and 35 to complete current travel patterns. Route 18 - Updates have been made help keep the schedule on time. From 4 PM to 6 PM, trips are scheduled every 40 minutes between the West Transfer Point and South Transfer Point. Route 34 - Route now operates hourly during AM and PM hours and still serves MATC class times. Route 35 - Peak-hour service has been expanded into the Richmond Hills area. Route 39 - Route now operates hourly during AM and PM hours. Route 40 - On weekdays, route now offers more efficient service to the South Transfer Point from the Greenway Dr. and Coho areas. Service makes up for weekday service to the Coho area previously offered on Route 18. (This change does NOT affect Route 40 schedules on weeknights, weekends, or holidays. Route 18 will also remain on Coho during these times.) Updated teal Ride Guides and System Maps are now available at mymetrobus.com and all Metro buses. Get detailed trip plan instructions using Google Maps or click on mymetrobus.com/plan your trip. For more information, contact the Metro customer service center at (608) 266-6532 or mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com. Complete information: http://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/augustservicechanges/index.cfm

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