Depending on the weather, between 12-18% of UW-Madison employees take a Madison Metro bus to campus every day, according to the UW Transportation Services 2023 Biennial Transportation Survey.
This fall, Madison Metro hopes to move riders more quickly and efficiently through the campus community with a fleet of sixty-foot, electric buses, an upgraded fare-collection system, and new stations located on bus-only traffic lanes.
Funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the 67 fleet vehicles provide increased room so that more people can comfortably ride. The buses can transport nearly 110 people, which is 50% more than the capacity on Metro’s current local buses, and contribute to Madison Metro’s goal of a zero-emission fleet by 2035.
Central to Madison Metro’s plan for improved service is the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route A, which runs east/west from the Sun Prairie Park & Ride, through downtown and campus, and on to Junction Road on the Westside of Madison.
“This BRT system will accommodate projected increases in travel demand and population growth, while alleviating congestion through the isthmus, improving transportation equity, and reducing emissions to improve public health,” says Justin Stuehrenberg, General Manager of Metro Transit.
The buses on the Metro Rapid Route A provide 15-minute service every Monday through Friday until 8:00 pm and until 7:00 pm on Saturdays. Thirty-minute service is available on Sundays and holidays. Routes B and F also board at the new stations when running along the Route A corridor. On BRT vehicles, all bike racks are located inside the back of the bus. If you’re traveling with a bike, board at the rear door.
Metro has a brand-new fare system that makes it easier than ever before to pay and ride. Before your bus arrives, have your new Fast Fare card ready to go. Buses do not accept cash while boarding on BRT platforms.
Commuters can pickup a Fast Fare card at any Madison Public Library, the Madison Metro Transit administration office at 1245 East Washington Avenue, or email mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com to receive a card through mail. There is also an option to install the Fast Fare App on Android and iOS.
UW–Madison and UW Health employees can purchase their Fast Fare card through Transportation Services, just like every year.
Madison Metro also has future plans for a north/south BRT line that will start on the northside, run through the isthmus and east campus, and on to Fitchburg.
You can view a map of current and planned BRT lines here. Madison Metro BRT lines and stations will not impact current campus routes for lines 80, 81. 82, or 84, which are serviced by Madison Metro as well.
UW-Madison Transportation Services responded to a few frequently asked questions:
1. How will renewing the annual bus pass for the 25-26 academic year work for employees?
- Now that Madison Metro’s fare card is durable, our team is developing a process for employee bus pass renewals that won’t require us to issue new cards every year. We have some promising options and are running scenarios. Our goal is to create a process that is as streamlined as possible given the constraints of our inventory management system. We will communicate with bus pass holders, employees, and campus in general when the changes are in place.
2. Is the construction of rapid route platforms on campus complete or is there more construction anticipated in the future?
- Construction on Rapid Route A platforms are substantially complete except for a few platforms which still need finishing touches, such as glass, signage, and maps.
- The future construction of Route B platforms is not expected to generate many changes on campus. A new station will be built at Park and Regent, and the stop at Park and Dayton is expected to close.
- Metro Transit is also planning to extend the bus lane by Babcock Drive on University Avenue through the railroad crossing. This project will include improvements to the pedestrian route from University Avenue to Babcock Drive by the railroad crossing.
3. How might the future Rapid Route B impact campus?
- BRT route B route essentially already exists, just without the infrastructure (platforms, etc.). When that infrastructure is in place, existing route B service will be faster due to boarding platforms and signal priority. The only stop closure expected on campus is at Park and Dayton Streets.
-
-
- For more information on BRT route B, please refer to the Local Preferred Alternative Report at this link:
-
4. Have the changes in the Madison Metro System impacted traffic and parking during game days at Camp Randall and the Kohl Center?
- Metro’s goal is to provide an easier and quicker way to travel in the downtown and campus area. The BRT is not necessarily expected to reduce congestion at game times, but it will provide better alternatives and options to park further away from Camp Randall and the Kohl Center versus driving all the way into the downtown area.
- Regarding ridership on game days: we have not seen a change in traffic or parking, but anecdotally Metro has experienced full buses. The BRT had not been fully operational throughout the season, so we don’t have a full perspective on that yet.
- We do hope to see positive impacts next season. Metro will implement a system to pay fares by credit card in the first quarter of this year and will start more robust marketing campaigns in 2025 as well.
- That being said, Metro only has the budget to provide its existing level of service on game days. Without additional funding, extra buses unfortunately will not be an option.
5. Has campus or the city planned any park and ride lots along Rapid Route A or future Rapid Route B to address on campus parking shortages?
- A new remote parking lot has opened at 3500 University Avenue, at the new location of UW Extension. While the lot is served by a dedicated shuttle, it is also located near Route A and other local routes serving campus. Employees may apply for a permit to park in the lot.
- There is a park and ride lot operated by Metro Transit at Junction Road served by rapid route A. There is also a Metro-operated park and ride in Sun Prairie served by Route A1, which converges onto rapid route A. There is no fee or permit required to park in the Metro Transit park and ride lots. Metro Transit does not have any additional park and rides planned for Route B.
6. Have the changes in the Madison Metro system negatively impacted any employees on campus?
- Overall, some employees are affected by positive changes such as shorter trips to campus, fewer transfers, and more frequent service. Other employees are negatively impacted primarily by longer distances to bus stops served by routes traveling to and from campus. This is due to the overall network redesign which shifted from a coverage to a ridership model. We hope and expect to see more improvements overall as the new system continues to evolve.
7. How have changes to the Madison Metro system impacted third-shift employees?
- There have been two major changes to Madison Metro service: the first was the network redesign which went into effect in June 2023. The second was the implementation of BRT route A. In general, Madison Metro has tried to improve late night service with both updates. We do not have specific details about impacts yet, but we also haven’t heard any complaints.