Public Meeting Scheduled

New On-Route Bus Charger Planned for Northport and Kennedy in 2025

Monday, November 18 at 5:00 PM
Warner Park Community Center

1625 Northport Drive, Madison

Attend a public meeting on Monday, November 18 to learn more about a new on-route charging station proposed to be built at the intersection of Northport Dr. and Kennedy Rd. 

Review Materials

This charger will enable Route B buses to top up their battery power during their routes, enhancing service reliability and contributing to the City’s sustainability goals.

The new charging setup will include a pull-out lane, a small utility building, and an overhead charger specifically designed for quick stops. 

This change has a couple of benefits: it will improve reliability of service on Route B by ensuring the fleet is adequately charged, and it will eliminate the layover at Northport Dr. and Troy Dr. so that passengers will no longer have to wait or change buses before continuing on their way.

Related Proposed Route Adjustments

To align with the new charging station, the turnaround loop for Route B will also need to be adjusted. 

Currently, the loop operates clockwise around Troy Dr., Green Ave., and Northport Dr., but  staff have proposed to reverse the loop in the  counterclockwise direction. 

This change allows southbound buses to pull into the new charging station more seamlessly and takes advantage of new sidewalks that will be built around the loop. 

This also means that new local bus stops will be installed on the opposite side of the street. 

Coordination with Other Projects

Several other projects are happening around the same time on the Northside and City staff are coordinating closely. 

Projects include the reconstruction of Knutson Dr. (2025), resurfacing of Green Ave. (2025), a railroad bridge replacement (2025/2026), and continued planning and design for the North-South Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project (2027/2028). 

All of these efforts contribute to making the area safer, more accessible, and more connected for residents and visitors.

Overall, this new on-route charger is just one part of Madison’s larger vision for a faster, more convenient and more sustainable public transportation system.