Statement Regarding Metro Bus Service Disruptions

For Immediate Release
February 20, 2025

Many Madison Metro bus routes experienced service disruptions today due to a high number of driver absences and driver refusal of overtime work. We are aware of some of the public statements that have been made regarding the reason for these disruptions, many of which contain inaccurate and misleading information.  

The City of Madison is committed to supporting employees and their rights, and to providing competitive wages and benefits for all employees. The City is in ongoing negotiations with Teamsters Local 120 which represents Metro bus drivers and mechanics and is committed to continuing to engage in good faith bargaining.  

The City is also committed to preserving the confidentiality of the bargaining sessions as is required by both law and custom and so cannot comment directly on the terms of the negotiations. Generally, City employees including other represented units such as Police and Fire received a 3% wage increase in 2025, and we are committed to ensuring parity with other bargaining units and other national comparables with regard to wages for Metro bus drivers and other employees. 

We are disappointed that in the middle of bargaining, some Metro employees chose to take concerted action that disrupted a vital service that so many other working Madisonians depend on. We apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused riders and will be looking at all avenues to ensure we maintain City transit service while we resolve this successfully.  

Passengers are encouraged to check their trip using Metro's real-time information. 

Metro apologizes for the inconvenience that this will cause on riders' travel today.