Funding for Madison’s Second Bus Rapid Transit Line Included in Federal Spending Bill

On Monday, March 11, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that $118.1 million for the Madison area’s second bus rapid transit line, Metro Rapid Route B, has been included in President Biden’s 2025 Proposed Budget. About 78 percent of the project would be federally funded, with the remainder coming from local communities benefiting from the route.

“This federal investment in Madison’s north and south sides will be transformative in helping our city to grow in an equitable and sustainable way. We applaud the Biden Administration for supporting our effort to expand rapid transit to more people, jobs, and important destinations in our community.” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a statement.

The project was one of four bus rapid transit projects recommended for funding through this year’s Small Starts Program alongside projects in Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas. This recommendation directs how to spend the FTA's Capital Investment Grant (CIG) dollars for the 2025 fiscal year.  The CIG program has been consistently funded for decades and enjoys strong bipartisan support.

Rapid Route B is currently in the development and planning stage and would run generally from Madison’s Northside neighborhood through the downtown area, to South Madison, ending in Fitchburg—generally following Metro’s existing Route B, one of the area’s most heavily traveled routes. Metro Rapid Route B is planned to launch in 2028. 

The project would provide frequent, faster, and more reliable transit service to an additional 53,000 people, 40,000 jobs and other important destinations such as hospitals, grocery stores, childcare centers, K-12 schools, higher education and job training centers, and more. 

Features will match Metro Rapid Route A including service every 15 minutes or less, high-quality stations with raised platforms, priority traffic signals, dedicated lanes with fewer stops, and faster fare payment. Metro Route A is currently under construction along Mineral Point Road, Whitney Way, University Avenue, and East Washington Avenue, and will launch this fall.

The new eco-friendly transit system will support Madison’s growing population, while also significantly improving service for thousands of residents and businesses who depend on transit on Madison’s north and south sides. 

The next round of public meetings for Metro Rapid Route B are planned for April, where residents can learn more and share feedback about the proposed route, station locations, and more. For additional details, visit www.madisonbrt.com.