Madison Reporter

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has announced that Madison will introduce a new era of public transportation with the launch of Metro Transit’s East-West bus rapid transit (BRT) line on September 22. This initiative is part of Mayor Rhodes-Conway's MetroForward project, which began in 2019 to address the city's growing transportation needs.

“I want to thank the Biden-Harris administration for recognizing that Madison needed a historic investment in our transportation infrastructure. We received nearly $140 million in federal funds to make this possible,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “The launch of the East-West BRT route is a monumental step forward for our community and our transit system. I’m proud to say we are well on our way to integrating a North-South BRT line as well. September 22 will be a big day for Madison and it’s just the beginning.”

The new Rapid Route A will operate on the East-West Rapid Corridor with service approximately every 15 minutes throughout most of the day. Routes B and F will also use BRT buses, stations, and lanes but will branch off to serve local stops. The increased frequency aims to provide efficient transit options for commuters, young people, and residents.

Metro’s new BRT system is made possible by a state-of-the-art maintenance facility, new charging technology, and a fleet of high-performance all-electric buses funded by the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law. These upgrades are essential for Madison's goal of achieving 100 percent renewable energy and net-zero carbon emissions.

Rapid Route A, along with local Routes B and F, will be served by 60-foot articulated all-electric buses with dual-side boarding options. These larger buses can carry double the number of passengers and will benefit from dedicated bus lanes and priority traffic signals. The construction of 43 new boarding stations along the East-West Rapid Corridor is nearing completion, designed to enhance passenger experience and accessibility.

Metro General Manager Justin Stuehrenberg stated that recent changes at Metro Transit aim to alleviate passenger overcrowding, speed up travel times, and simplify the system.

"Our team has worked tirelessly for years to bring this transformative BRT project to completion, and I'm thrilled to announce the opening date," said Stuehrenberg. "I'm confident it will bring significant mobility and economic benefits to the Madison region while also serving as a national model."

In addition, Metro is launching its Fast Fare system in September alongside the East-West Rapid Corridor routes' debut. A more user-friendly Bus Tracker system is also being introduced to improve convenience for riders.

Metro plans to provide regular updates on the launch of bus rapid transit through their website and social media channels. They will host open houses at several BRT stations around Madison later this month and in early September.