Commission approves D2 route extension to Verona; stop details deferred to next meeting

The Transportation Commission approved an extension of Route D2 to provide all‑day service into the City of Verona and added paratransit service for that corridor. The commission voted to approve the route itself on April 9; detailed stop locations at the Verona end will return to the commission at its next meeting.

Madison Metro staff said the D2 extension was initiated by the City of Verona and would provide a weekday 30‑minute frequency (hourly at night and on weekends for the branch). The service will create an all‑day connection to Verona where previously only commuter routes existed; Metro staff and Verona representatives said the city has committed funding and that the route would increase mobility and add paratransit coverage within Verona.

Public comment at the hearing included support from long‑time Route 75 rider Matt Golick and remarks from the Verona city administrator, who said Verona set aside funding in its 2025 budget and strongly supports the extension. One resident questioned the removal of a particular stop (Fitchrona/Nesbitt) and raised a safety suggestion for realigning stops near retail areas; staff said they were still reviewing stop locations and safety at several retail intersections and planned to return with specific stop proposals.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Lynn Olsen moved to approve the D2 extension to Verona; Commissioner Bill Bremer seconded. The motion carried by unanimous consent, with commissioners noting that stop locations would be refined and presented at the next meeting.

Why it matters: The change creates the first all‑day transit connection to Verona in Metro’s system, expands paratransit coverage into a growing suburb and redistributes some Route 75 trips to maintain overall capacity. Staff noted the extension should improve job and appointment access for Verona residents and add transit capacity for regional growth areas.