Madison Reporter

Madison's Metro Transit has achieved a significant milestone, with over 1.3 million rides recorded in April. This marks the highest ridership for the month since 2015 and reflects a resurgence in public transit usage in the area. The achievement also represents the most active month of ridership since 2019.

The increase follows several strategic changes to Metro’s system, including the introduction of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network, electric buses, and modern fare technology. Notably, ridership on Metro’s Rapid Route A has increased by 56% compared to last year. Meanwhile, Rapid Route B has seen its ridership more than double, rising by 110% from the same period in 2024.

“This is more than just a ridership milestone,” stated Justin Stuehrenberg, General Manager of Metro Transit. “It’s proof that smart investments and a commitment to service can rebuild public trust in transit. Metro has now not only surpassed pre-COVID ridership levels but reached heights we haven’t seen since 2015—something only a handful of systems across the country have done.”

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway emphasized that Madison is an expanding city where residents desire practical transportation options. “The success of Metro Transit benefits the entire city and our region by helping to relieve streets of congestion, curb emissions, and by providing an affordable choice to students, commuters, visitors, and many more just wanting to quickly move around Madison,” she said. She also expressed gratitude towards Metro staff for their efforts in implementing improvements to the system.

For further information about this development or inquiries regarding services offered by Metro Transit, individuals are encouraged to contact their customer service center at (608) 266-4466 or via email at mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com.