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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?
Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a frequent, faster, and more reliable bus system that uses larger buses to transport more riders. BRT’s features include frequent all-day service and direct routes with fewer stops.
It utilizes special traffic signals to help buses get through intersections faster, dedicated bus lanes, and stations with off-board fare payment kiosks.
Madison's proposed BRT will also feature real-time schedule information, quiet zero-emission electric buses, and comfortable vehicle seating.
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Why do we need BRT?
Metro Transit currently offers leading ridership nationally, providing 13 million rides each year on 62 routes with 218 buses. However, by the year 2050, Madison anticipates 85,000 new jobs, 100,000 new residents, and nearly 800,000 new road trips to work, school, and recreation.
Adding BRT into the Metro Transit system will help alleviate passenger overcrowding on the buses, improve travel times throughout the City and simplify the system—to make taking the bus easier and better—helping to prepare for the expected increase in public transit demand over time.
Roll Out / Timeline
How long has the city been working on BRT?
Officially, since 2011. A study was commissioned to look at the feasibility of BRT, and the outcome of that study was the two BRT lines we’re building – the east-west line and the north-south line.
The east-west line was selected to move forward first in 2017 because it was more straight-forward to build and the corridor has the highest ridership and greater need.
Before BRT, the city had looked at light rail, commuter rail, and streetcar transit modes in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.
When will it begin?
Metro's Rapid Route A will launch on Sunday, September 22.
Will there be changes on UW campus?
UW service continues to operate as usual. There aren’t any schedule changes planned on Routes 80-84. All-electric articulated buses will be introduced into the fleet later this year.
Why is the first phase of BRT the East-West corridor, when there are many low-income people living on the north and south sides of the City?
The successful implementation of BRT is entirely dependent upon a federal grant, therefore the City must meet certain system performance criteria. The FTA uses existing and projected ridership to evaluate projects, and the East-West corridor performs much higher in that regard with more than 120,000 jobs and 80,000 residents residing within a 10-minute walk of the proposed BRT route. A successful Phase 1 will allow the City to more realistically expand the BRT system over time.
What are the next steps for the North-South line?
The route and station locations, known technically as the Locally Preferred Alternative, was adopted in early June. Design is underway for the line with additional public feedback forthcoming. Staff expects construction to occur during the 2026-2028 timeframe with service likely to open in 2028.
Budget
How will this be paid for?
The initial cost of $195 million will be paid for by a combination of federal and local funding sources. More than half of these initial capital costs will be paid for by federal funds, including a Small Starts grant which was secured at the end of 2023. BRT fares paid for by Metro Transit customers will be used to offset operating and maintenance costs.
How does BRT affect the City of Madison's budget?
A large part of the BRT construction process if federally funded. Overall, Metro is a relatively small share of the City’s general fund budget.
About how many dollars are in the 2025 city budget for the project? (that is the net cost to the city, not including amounts funded from elsewhere)
There is no money in the 2025 budget for this project.
How much of each property tax bill goes towards the additional $6.5 million in borrowing for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?
About 6% of Metro's Rapid Route A cost is paid for by General Obligation Borrowing, with the remainder paid by the Federal Government, TID financing, and in-kind donations.
Because BRT is a capital expense, it is not a factor in the current operating budget challenges.
However, servicing this debt is included in the property tax bill. The annual debt service on this additional borrowing for BRT is roughly equal to $9/annually or 75 cents/monthly in taxes on the average value home.
This is about 0.1% of the total property tax bill (all taxing jurisdictions) on the average value home before deducting state tax credits.
How much city tax money (separate from federal) is to be spent to build road and stop infrastructure, build facilities, operate the system, and purchase busses for BRT annually next fiscal year on the east west line? And for the north south line?
The funding from the City of Madison capital budget for East-West BRT is about $13 million, with an additional $20 million from Tax Incremental Financing districts.
This funding is spread over three years (2020 through 2022). About 75% percent of the project is federally funded, 19% is funded by TIF and in-kind contributions, and just 6% funded by General Obligation borrowing.
There is no funding for East-West BRT in the 2025 capital budget. Currently about $5.5 million is in the City’s capital budget for North-South BRT to support project development.
If the N-S BRT is funded, we anticipate it would have a similar federal contribution as the East-West BRT.
Will there be any extra maintenance costs for BRT?
It's estimated that routine BRT maintenance costs will be approximately $250,000 per year. This includes staff time to do daily trash clean up and ticket vending machine maintenance, and as needed structural and amenity repairs.
There is little to no landscaping, and snow removal needs are minimal due to installed snow melt systems at the stations itself. Metro is not hiring any additional staff to provide the maintenance.
It's important to note that prior to our 2023 network redesign, we were responsible for the regular maintenance of four large transfer points.
Those locations received daily maintenance and frequent structural and amenity repairs. Metro was responsible for all landscaping and snow removals of those sites.
Additionally, we are removing all regular Metro bus shelters along the current Route A line, which will also help offset.
How will snow plows get to the new stations in the middle of the roads? Will this cost tax payers extra?
Each station features heated concrete which will help keep platforms clear of snow. Traffic lanes are already plowed by the Streets department, so additional expenses are not expected.
Have bus stop locations been selected to minimize the need to move existing infrastructure? Are the costs of relocating infrastructure included in the federal grants?
Yes, a lot of thought went into where the stations are located. Other factors are bus and traffic flow, consistent station spacing, pedestrian crossing infrastructure, etc.
Cost effectiveness, including the cost to remove and replace pavement and utilities was a significant factor but at most station locations, there isn’t a significant difference between building a station on one side of an intersection or the other, for example.
Utility replacement and other incidental costs are included in the whole project cost and are paid for in part by the federal grant.
How many riders would BRT need to break even on operational costs?
We expect an increase in ridership and fare revenue, but no transit service in the country covers all costs through fares. It is considered a public service and requires public spending, just like street repair.
Will Metro hire additional management staff for the second BRT line?
The second BRT line will just be an upgrade of infrastructure for route B to help it move through the city more quickly. No staffing changes are expected.
How many mechanics have been or will be hired specifically to handle BRT needs?
The BRT buses are replacing other buses in the system. There is no increase in the total fleet count, and no change in the number of mechanics.
How many drivers will be needed to ensure a bus arrives every 15 minutes? How many drivers does Metro have now?
Most of the time, there will be 12 buses driving Route A at any given time. Metro has more than 300 drivers.
Are the BRT stops connected to the city's fiber network, or will they use cellular connections that require rented equipment and monthly charges?
We will use cellular connections to provide data service at the stations. We determined that this was a more cost-effective solution.
Could Madison choose to delay or not go ahead with the north-south BRT to allow time to consider the impact of the east-west route?
That would be an option. However, we are following the success of several of our peer cities and Routes A and B are our two mainline routes with highest ridership, so we feel confident that the line will be successful.
There will be time available to apply any lessons learned from the East-West line to the North-South line.
What are advantages of implementing BRT, as opposed to other transit investments?
The Madison East-West BRT project is eligible to receive at least 50% of its start-up funding, including the construction of a new bus maintenance garage that would serve the entire BRT fleet, through a grant program administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The federal program is called “FTA Small Starts”, and the majority of projects funded by the program nationally are BRT projects.
This 50% start-up federal funding for vehicles, BRT infrastructure and maintenance garage would not be available if Metro chose to address the problem by simply adding additional buses to its fleet.
With federal maintenance and inspection requirements, will a second bus-maintenance facility be needed along with more mechanics to keep the new buses in service?
Metro is planning to open a second maintenance facility on Hanson Rd. with the opening of BRT.
This capacity upgrade has been needed for many years as our current facility on Ingersoll St. is too small for the number of buses we have.
Service Details
How frequent will BRT service be?
Bus service along the East-West BRT line, Route A, will be about every 15 minutes throughout most of the day. In the central downtown area, Routes B and F will also operate on the BRT corridor to provide additional frequency and service.
How late will Metro Rapid Route A run?
BRT routes will operate the same time span as other routes are currently running, which is generally between about 5:30 am and a little after midnight.
Are there travel times posted anywhere?
When BRT begins, the Rapid Route A schedule will look very similar to the current local Route A schedule. An updated schedule effective on Sunday, September 22 has been added to that link. For roll out, we’ve built in extra time into the service to help both drivers and riders ease into a new way of doing things.
As we settle into the new system with all the efficiencies of a new electronic fare system, boarding at rear doors, and the use of dedicated lanes, we estimate the BRT route will operate 10% faster.
That faster run time will be reflected in future schedules.
Will Rapid Routes allow me to connect with buses traveling beyond the East-West corridor?
Yes. Metro’s current Route A is being converted into Rapid Route A. The service redesign implemented last June was designed so that regular Metro routes connect with BRT routes for easy boarding between the two. The Rapid Route A will operate the schedule and route it currently runs now, but with the added benefits of BRT – more capacity, more speed, more efficiency.
Do projected travel times for the BRT system take into account the additional time it will take riders to walk to stations that are farther away than their stations were before BRT? What about for riders with mobility issues?
Metro is committed to ensuring the BRT system is accessible and efficient for everyone.
The projected travel times for the BRT system focus on the time spent on the bus itself, where riders will benefit from faster, more reliable service due to features like transit-only lanes, traffic signal priority, and all-door boarding. While station spacing is increased to 1/2 mile, a best practice in bus rapid transit systems, we've carefully considered how this might impact walking times.
We recognize that this could mean a slightly longer walk for some riders, especially those with mobility issues. To address this, we're working to improve overall accessibility around stations, including better pedestrian infrastructure, safe crossings, and accessible paths. Additionally, the faster service and reduced waiting times aim to offset any extra time spent walking, creating an overall positive experience for most riders.
For those with mobility concerns, we're exploring ways to enhance first-mile/last-mile connections, such as ensuring that stations are well-connected to other forms of transportation. Our goal is to make the BRT as convenient and inclusive as possible, ensuring that it serves the needs of all community members effectively.
Are there studies showing that people switch from using cars to BRT if it's only the bus travel times that are shorter, and not entire travels times (including the time needed to walk to fewer stations)?
Yes, nearly all transit systems that have introduced new BRT, light rail, streetcar, commuter rail, or subway/elevated lines have seen increases in ridership.
Is there free parking near BRT stops?
Two park and rides are available on the BRT route – one at Junction Road just south of Mineral Point Rd., and one in Sun Prairie on Reiner Rd.
Is there any research related to safety when boarding a bus in the middle of the street?
When compared with side running BRT, center running is considered to be faster and more reliable due to fewer conflicts (bikes, turning vehicles, parked delivery trucks) and consequently is more attractive to transit riders.
There will be signalized crosswalks at each station so that people can safely travel to the median.
With Metro’s current curbside stop locations, riders need to cross the entire street once when making a roundtrip. With center-running stations, or stations in the median, a rider will cross half the street, twice.
What percentage of Madisonians currently ride the bus, and how often? How many riders does the city project will ride BRT each year?
The last few U.S. Census Bureau American Community Surveys have shown between 8 to 10 percent of Madison workers use transit for their commute. This compares well with the national average of 3.8 percent and is the second highest in Wisconsin, outside of Milwaukee, which has also recently implemented bus rapid transit system.
Ridership estimates project that Rapid Route A will serve between 13,000 and 14,000 daily riders and the system is designed to accommodate projected increases in population and commuters in the coming years.
Will Metro provide ridership data for the last five years, so the public has a basis for comparison when BRT starts?
Madison’s Annual Transportation Operational Report provides a snapshot of October ridership over the past five years. Similar data this fall will be available.
Why does the BRT route deviate from East Washington to Anderson St.? Wouldn't it be faster to just stay on East Washington?
Madison College, and some other destinations served by the Anderson-Wright station, provide significant travel demand and ridership for the BRT line, so the route includes a short deviation to serve it.
Rapid Route A uses Anderson, as opposed to Kinsman, eliminating nearly a mile of out-of-direction travel. In addition, the route will use a new bus and bike-only connection between Anderson St. and Mendota St. to eliminate the busy and delay-prone intersection at East Washington and Stoughton Rd.
These two major improvements are expected to add the ridership at Anderson-Wright while also keeping the route relatively streamlined.
Eliminating the route deviation to Anderson Street would make the route a minute or two faster, but would have several disadvantages.
First, it would reduce ridership and use of the line. Second, Metro would need to provide a new route that connects Madison College with downtown. That would be a substantial operating cost burden that Metro can avoid by operating to Anderson.
Stations
Why are some of the BRT stations in the median? How are people supposed to be able to get to them?
Stops such as on East Washington Ave. and Mineral Point Rd. have adequate right-of-way to accommodate BRT stations in the center of the street.
When compared with side running BRT, center running is considered to be faster and more reliable due to fewer conflicts (bikes, turning vehicles, parked delivery trucks) and consequently is more attractive to transit riders.
There will be signalized crosswalks at each station so that people can safely travel to the median.
With Metro’s current curbside stop locations, riders need to cross the entire street once when making a roundtrip. With center-running stations, or stations in the median, a rider will cross half the street, twice.
Why are there two stations on Segoe Rd. rather than a center station?
At Segoe and Sheboygan, buses will make a southbound right turn from Segoe to Sheboygan. Since buses are in the right lane making a right turn, a platform was constructed on the right.
In the northbound direction, buses are coming from an eastbound left turn so they're in the left lane, so station was constructed in the median on the left.
Why are there solid panels at one of the otherwise all glass enclosures?
This was an original design of the station. However, as they were installed, it was decided these should be replaced with glass so that riders can easily see buses arrive.
How many people can fit on a BRT platform?
BRT station platforms are approximately the same length as an articulated bus. We estimate approximately 100 people will be able to stand on a platform and board a bus.
Will there be heat in the stations in the winter?
There will be buttons on station pedestals that will allow riders to turn on heat in the winter.
How many in-neighborhood stops have been removed because of the utilization of this system?
About half of the bus stops along Route A have been removed.
Do you know if Madison will be the first city to implement center lane BRT?
No, several other cities have built center-running BRT systems such as Cleveland, OH; Eugene, OR; Houston, TX; and Indianapolis, IN.
New Electric Buses
What will the larger, articulated buses be like? What does articulated mean?
As part of the BRT project, Metro is adding 62 all-electric (60-foot) articulated buses into its fleet. Articulated buses are longer buses that have an accordion style section in the middle. They have multiple doors – one front, two middle and two rear doors – for quicker, more efficient boarding.
Larger buses will help address overcrowding in busy corridors by providing more seats than Metro’s current standard fleet (40-foot buses) and more standing room for people to comfortably ride. A standard 40-foot Metro bus can transport approximately 80 passengers at capacity. An articulated bus can hold about 120 people.
These buses will operate on Routes A, B and F to start. In future months, electric buses will also operate on Routes R, 55, 75 and UW campus routes.
More on Electric BusesWatch Video
Will all the buses be electric? And if so, what happens to the old buses?
All BRT buses will be electric. Electric buses will also operate on Routes B and F. These new BRT buses replace older buses which are generally 12 to 15 years old, and will be retired.
Learn More about Electric Buses
How will the doors on both sides of the bus work?
Buses have three doors on the right side and two on the left side. Stations will use either left side or right side doors. Boarding the bus at the center running stations will be similar to boarding on the right side of the street.
Doors are electronically controlled by geo-fencing, so the correct doors open or stay closed based on which side of the platform buses board on.
Are there enough articulated buses in the new fleet to maintain full service from morning-to-night routes?
Yes. We will have 62 all-electric buses in our fleet.
How will the multiple shifts of buses maintain a charge?
Route A will have fast on-route chargers at each end of the line. They will get a quick charge to keep them running throughout the day. Other routes will use a combination of depot charging and fast charging.
What about winter performance? Does cold weather affect the longevity of a charge?
Extreme cold and heat does reduce range on high-voltage batteries. As testing continues and operations begin, staff will adjust charging schedules accordingly.
Vehicle technology will provide forecasts for vehicle range so Metro can plan accordingly.
How many of the UW bus 80s are being replaced by bendy buses?
Upon full roll-out, most buses running on UW campus will be our all-electric vehicles. But, our standard 40-foot buses will also be utilized on this route as needed.
What’s the capacity of the new buses?
These offer 50% more capacity than our larger vehicles. We estimate we can transport approximately 90-110 people on them at one time.
Will buses have doors on either side?
Some BRT stations are located in the median. The new BRT buses will have doors on either side so that you can easily board no matter which way the bus is traveling. Passengers will board BRT buses in the middle and rear doors, different than how they currently board in the front door only. New fare readers will be located at each door for payment.
Will the new articulated buses only be on BRT?
No. All-electric articulated buses will be available this coming year on Rapid Route A, as well as Routes B, F, R, 75, and UW campus service. Some of these routes will also board at BRT stations.
Has the Madison Fire Department has special training on these vehicles?
Yes, the MFD has recently been provided training and a detailed emergency services guide. Some of details covered in training included a walkthrough of an electric bus to point out the overhead and plug in areas, emergency shut-down points, jack points in case the bus needs to be lifted, battery locations, instruction on how to open doors, how to operate the new automatic wheelchair securement device, and emergency shut down areas at our overhead charging locations.
Will any old buses be retired when the new ones start service?
Yes, a number of Metro's diesel buses will be retired when BRT officially launches. When that happens, approximately 1/3 of Metro's fleet will be all-electric.
Accessibility
For people with mobility problems, closing stops makes them travel further to catch the bus. Is paratransit an option?
Yes. For those riders that have difficulty using Metro's fixed-route system, paratransit is definitely an option. The first step to signing for paratransit is to contact Metro's customer service center at (608) 266-4466 tp set up an in-person assessment.
Paratranist Information Eligibility Information/In-Person Assessments
Visually-impaired riders tend to prefer crossing at controlled intersections with lights when possible. How will these riders get to stations?
Crosswalks have been widened at station locations and traffic lights have been retimed so that there is a comfortable amount of time to get to a BRT station.
Audible pedestrian signals are also available at these crossings.
Do the electric buses emit noise so blind people know they're there when crossing streets?
Buses are not completely silent. They are quieter than our standard vehicles, but they still make a noise when they move. Buses will also make announcements through exterior speakers when they arrive at a station.
Bus-Only Lanes
What's with all the red lanes out on the street?
The red concrete that you're seeing out on the street mark Metro's new bus-only BRT lanes. Additional signage will be added soon.
Complete DetailsRead Press Release
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.
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.
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
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.
New Fare System
How do I get a new fare card?
You can pick up a new card starting in early September at Metro, through the mail, and at a number of community locations.
Complete DetailsDistribution Locations
How much will it cost to ride BRT?
Fares will not increase due to BRT. Metro’s existing fare structure will remain the same. However, Metro will also be rolling out new fare collection technology that will launch prior to BRT.
There will be a lot of new and convenient features that will make it easier to ride ALL of Metro buses including fare capping options, the ability to use credit cards as payment on the bus, online accounts, smart cards and more.
Do I need to have a phone or computer to use the new fare technology?
It will not be required to have a phone or computer to pay your fare. There will be several payment options available. However, to make boarding on BRT faster, passengers will board at middle and rear doors of the bus. New fare readers will be available at all doors to pay your fare.
Can I board with cash?
Ticket machines will be placed at new BRT stations for riders to buy paper barcode tickets with cash before you board the BRT bus. Riders will then scan the barcode ticket upon entering the bus.
Passengers can still board with cash on Metro’s standard 40-foot buses, where riders can board at the front door of the bus by the driver.
If nobody is monitoring whether riders have purchased fares, how many riders are going to opt for a free ride?
While it is possible that there are more people not paying a fare, data from other cities have shown that the increase is small.
However, the improved speed of boarding of the new system has benefits to all riders and will save Metro costs of sitting still.
We will continue to monitor and implement compliance checks as needed.
Where can I exchange 10-ride cards for new Fast Fare cards?
Locations are currently being established, which included Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation office.
Sign up for text and email alerts at mymetrobus.com/alerts for additional location updates.
Complete Details on New Fare System
How will the new tap-to-ride system work? Is there an app or does it just require a credit or debit card?
Initially, a new Fast Fare card will be required, which can be received by mail, or at a list of physical locations which will be released soon.
In future months, a mobile app will be available, and the system will also have the ability to accept other forms of tap-to-pay options including credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payment apps (e.g., Apple Pay and Google Wallet).
You can also purchase 1-ride tickets and 1-day passes using ticket machines at BRT platforms.
Station Ticket Machine Information
Will there still be discounted fares available for seniors, those with disabilities and those with low incomes?
Yes. We will have a new half-price fare for youth, seniors, those with disabilities, and those with low incomes. Riders need to create an account and get set up with our half-fare designation. Assistance will be available at card distribution locations as well as Metro Transit.
Accessibility
What are the accessibility options for those in the disabled community?
All Metro buses are accessible for those with disabilities. Each bus both BRT and non-BRT have wheelchair securement areas and automatic stop announcements.
Paratransit service is also available to those that might not be able to use a fixed-route bus.
Nearly all of Metro’s bus stop locations have accessible boarding pads (with the goal of being 100% by the end of construction season).
Will BRT be wheelchair accessible for passengers in wheelchairs?
Yes, all stations will be fully ADA accessible. Elevated platforms at stations will make it faster and easier for passengers using any kind of mobility device to board the bus.
Station Accessibility Features
What is the new mobility device feature on BRT buses? How will BRT travel times be affected by accommodating riders in wheelchairs?
A wheelchair user will be able board and exit through the middle door of the bus. Due to the platforms being raised up from the ground, a bus will quickly deploy a bridge plate so that all passengers can easily board.
The deployment of this bridge plate is much quicker than a bus kneeling or extending a ramp.
The person can then secure themselves using a new self-securement system or a driver will also be able to assist in the way that is done now.
Watch Video of New Wheelchair Securement Device
How frequently will the city clear snow from bus stops during the winter to ensure that all riders, including those with mobility challenges, are able to navigate safely across the street to the bus stop?
We clear whenever snow accumulates. Platforms will have an automatic snow melt system built into the concrete that raises the temperature just enough to melt the snow and keep walkways and platform edges clear. We still anticipate needing to do some snow removal.
Community Impacts
How many people are expected to use the East-West BRT system?
It is projected that approximately 13,000-14,000 riders will use the service.
How will BRT alleviate congestion along the corridor?
One of the key benefits of BRT is that larger buses travel in dedicated lanes where possible, which will improve traffic flow for drivers. Increased BRT and bus ridership will also decrease the number of drivers in the corridor, helping to mitigate increasing roadway congestion.
Has the city anticipated the impact of drivers switching to residential streets to avoid problems with BRT routes (I anticipate Tree Lane and other west side streets will see a significant increase when commute times for cars increase on bus routes)?
No, for the most part capacity is not being reduced along the corridor, so we do not anticipate a noticeable increase in traffic on the BRT system.
Why was a station placed at the intersection of Eau Claire and Sheboygan avenues when there is not another lane for cars to go around?
All of Sheboygan Ave. is only one lane, so the bus will utilize and stop in the travel lane at stations in this area, like the way buses currently stop along corridors with a single travel lane.
On southbound Whitney Way, the bus will be traveling in the far-left lane as it approaches Mineral Point, where it will need to turn right to stop at the bus stop at this intersection. Who has the right of way in this case and how will traffic be affected, especially if the light at Mineral Point is green?
The bus will make the southbound right turn from the left lane. They will do this using a special bus only signal phase. This turn will go concurrent with the eastbound left turn phase, so there will be no conflict.
The bus lane eastbound on University Avenue at Midvale Boulevard is closest to the median and the left-turn lane is on the outside of that. 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.
Is there any chance the city will deploy extra busses to take sports fans to Camp Randall and the Kohl Center?
Metro cannot run custom routes that compete with private charter operators, but we can provide extra service on our existing routes if there is additional demand and funding is available to run it.
How do BRT stations on the square affect the Farmers’ Market, Concerts on the Square and other events?
For Farmers Markets, uses will detour off part of the Capitol Square but will still serve the stations.
For Concerts on the Square, buses will follow a similar partial detour. Overall, buses will have to detour less because there are only two BRT stations on the Capitol Square, but these events will continue uninterrupted.
Will drivers going west on Mineral Point Road be allowed to do a U-turn at the Westfield Road intersection?
No, U turns continue to not be allowed.
With the advent of BRT, eastbound traffic on Anderson Street, east of Wright Street and near Madison Area Technical College, is reduced to a single lane. When the new buses stop in this single lane, all eastbound traffic behind them will also have to stop, potentially blocking an intersection. Will the city do anything to mitigate these problems?
The bus will be making the northbound right turn and then stopping to serve the station, so few vehicles will be waiting behind the bus since the signal will be red for eastbound traffic.
To further mitigate this, we’ve placed the station a little farther east, so a few cars have space to wait behind the bus. In addition, the new system will be a lot faster than buses today, so the buses will usually stop and depart after just a few seconds.
In this location, the buses will utilize and stop in the shared travel lane, like the way buses currently stop along corridors with a single travel lane. Signal timing is being adjusted to prevent delay.
What are the plans for constructing BRT stations on Park Street while John Nolen Drive is undergoing construction?
We are coordinating the two projects to avoid having both Park Street and John Nolen under construction at the same time.
Are bikes on the Capitol Square supposed to use the red BRT lanes?
Yes, sharrows have been installed indicating bikes should use the lanes.
Why do the upgraded bus stops only have a concrete pads at the front of the bus and not at the back where riders are supposed to exit to get on the new, BRT buses?
All BRT stations will have concrete at all doors.
For other stops, we are trying to install pads at back doors too at busier stops where more people will use them.
There are sometimes location-specific reasons why we can’t do that. At lower use stops we only add concrete at the front door.
Will the city crack down on jaywalking if it increases because stations are in the middle of the street?
All stations have a signalized crosswalk at the station location to ensure a safe and convenient crossing.
How will the changes to the corridor benefit cyclists and pedestrians?
Bicycle connections and pedestrian walkways will be enhanced throughout the corridor, both along and crossing the corridor. These improvements will be necessary in order to improve and support safe access to the BRT stations on both sides of the roadway.
Will BRT be extended to the surrounding suburbs?
The East-West BRT line will connect to existing Metro service to Middleton. Without the ability to establish a regional transit authority, which would provide the mechanism for municipalities to work together to plan and fund a regional transit system, the extension of BRT routes will have to be negotiated and paid for by the individual communities in the future.
Because the Madison tax base is being used to help pay for BRT, not the tax base of Middleton, Sun Prairie or Verona, why don't residents of those municipalities have to pay more to use the BRT system? If they don't pay more aren't Madison taxpayers subsidizing people who live in those municipalities?
Each municipality with BRT stations is making a contribution that is reflected in that jurisdiction’s borrowing and taxes. For example, Sun Prairie has made a contribution with both their Park n Ride as well as the BRT station being constructed as part of the local match for the project. In the North-South BRT, Fitchburg will be making similar contributions to serve as their portion of the local match for federal funding of the overall project.
There is no infrastructure being installed in Middleton or Verona. However, they do pay for a share of local costs for the buses that will travel there through their operating contracts.
Will BRT be affected by the possible widespread advent of self-driving vehicles?
We anticipate that transit will continue to be a vital component of our transportation system into the future. BRT offers high-capacity, efficient, and reliable service that’s specifically tailored to meet the needs of a broad range of passengers, particularly in densely populated areas.
It’s also affordable, environmentally sustainable, and extremely safe—with the capacity to move large numbers of people using much less land than an automobile can. Self-driving vehicles will follow the same traffic rules as traffic today, so we do not anticipate any conflicts.
To what extent did the City’s BRT evaluation include competition from autonomous ride-hailing? Will this be a concern to BRT ridership?
In much the same manner as today, additional transportation options would be considered helpful support in moving people throughout the community, especially when there is extra travel needed to get from a person’s travel starting point to a BRT station and then returning to their final destination.
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
