First Metro Transit system changes are underway

Starting Sunday, the first in a series of modest changes to the Metro Transit system were begun, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The redesign, intended to deliver more frequent and consistent service, took effect June 11 and marked the largest overhaul in 25 years.

Metro is currently making adjustments on 11 routes, the largest on Route 38, which connects the UW Hospital and campus to Madison’s west side. Other changes allow for more time in certain schedules for better connections between routes; adjustments to timepoints spread throughout a route where drivers must wait and verify that they’re on schedule; and the addition of extra trips to some routes.

The adjustments involve:

• Westbound adjustments to Route A that provide more time through State Street and the UW–Madison campus to make better connections to Routes F and R;
• Westbound adjustments to Route B that provide more time through State Street and campus;
• Morning trips added to Route C from Ingersoll Street to campus and a new timepoint at University Avenue and University Bay;
• The moving of one timepoint on branch D2 from Sherman and Commercial avenues to Fordem Avenue and McGuire Street and another timepoint from Chalet Gardens and Verona Frontage to Verona Frontage and Williamsburg Way;
• Weekday midday service on Route E increased from every 60 minutes to every 30;
• Adjustments to Route F’s schedule for better connections from Route A;
• Additional weekday service for Route O added near campus;
• Adjustments to Route R’s schedule for better connections from Route A; 
• Eastbound and westbound service restored to Sheboygan and Eau Claire avenues for Route 38, as well as the route’s extension further west;
• The moving of Route 75’s timepoint at McKee and Fish Hatchery roads to Fish Hatchery Road and Caddis Bend; and
• Added frequency and schedule adjustments for Route 80 to improve reliability.

Riders can check trips online and look for Ride Guides in yellow vests, who will be on the street through the first week in September.

Metro plans to make more in-depth changes in December, March, and June and will launch the initial east-west phase of Bus Rapid Transit later in 2024. More information is available here.