Madison Reporter

Metro Transit is preparing to launch its first-ever bus rapid transit (BRT) route on Sunday, September 22.

Metro’s Rapid Route A will provide 15-minute service Monday through Friday until 8:00 pm and until 7:00 pm on Saturdays. Thirty-minute service will be available on Sundays and holidays.

Rapid Route A runs east/west from the Sun Prairie Park and Ride to Junction Rd. and will board at new stations starting at East Springs Dr. on the east side all the way to the west end of the route.

Routes B and F will also board at these stations when running along the Route A corridor.

Riders are encouraged to pick up a Fast Fare card prior to Sunday. Cards can be obtained at various community events as well as at Metro’s main office (1245 E. Washington Ave.).

To maintain schedule efficiency, cash and old fare media such as 31-day passes and 10-ride cards will not be accepted when boarding at BRT stations. For customers paying with cash, automatic ticket machines are available at most stations. Customers using cash can also add value to their Fast Fare cards at these machines.

On Sundays, Rapid Route A and Route B only operate every 30 minutes, and Route F does not extend east of Sheboygan Ave.

With the launch of service happening on a Sunday, there could be some challenges with Metro's 30-minute schedules. Extra buses will be in service, though they might not appear in real-time bus location data.

There will also be some minor construction items that are not quite finished when service begins on Sunday, such as the installation of railings and real-time signage at certain stations as well curb ramps in a few locations on Mineral Point Rd.

Metro supervisory and planning staff will monitor service throughout the day to ensure smooth operations.

City of Madison staff will be present at BRT stations on both Sunday and Monday to answer questions and distribute Fast Fare cards.

For more information, contact Metro’s customer service center at (608) 266-4466 or mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com. Complete information is also available at mymetrobus.com/BRT.