The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced on Monday, March 11 that $118.1 million for the Madison area’s second bus rapid transit line, Metro Rapid Route B, has been included in President Biden’s 2025 proposed budget, according to the city of Madison. About 78% of the project would be federally funded, with the remainder coming from local communities benefiting from the route.
The project was one of four bus rapid transit projects recommended for funding through this year’s Small Starts Program alongside projects in Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas. This recommendation directs how to spend the FTA’s Capital Investment Grant dollars for the 2025 fiscal year.
Rapid Route B is currently in the development and planning stage. It would run generally from Madison’s northside neighborhood through the downtown area and south Madison, ending in Fitchburg — generally following Metro’s existing Route B, one of the area’s most heavily traveled routes. Metro Rapid Route B is planned to launch in 2028.
The project would provide frequent, faster, and more reliable transit service to an additional 53,000 people, 40,000 jobs, and service to other important destinations.
Metro Route A is currently under construction along Mineral Point Road, Whitney Way, University Avenue, and East Washington Avenue, and will launch this fall.
The next round of public meetings for Metro Rapid Route B are planned for April, where residents can learn more and share feedback about the proposed route, station locations, and more. For additional details, click here.
