Commission approves 2025 Metro Transit bus-stop changes to improve accessibility and spacing

The City of Madison Transportation Commission on Jan. 8 approved a package of Metro Transit bus-stop changes for implementation in the 2025 construction season.

Metro Transit officials told the commission the proposals are intended to make stops wheelchair-accessible, improve visibility and safety at crosswalks, and consolidate underused stops to improve route time performance. "We are adding boarding pads at all of our stops," Mike Czefala, Metro Transit, said, describing the program as part capital improvements and part routing refinement.

The changes include relocation of stops to far-side intersections, removal of midblock stops that lack crosswalks or curb ramps, consolidation of closely spaced stops to improve on-time performance, and siting of new stops associated with the city of Monona joining the transit system in March 2025. Tim Sabota, Metro Transit, gave a street‑by‑street review, describing safety-driven moves such as setting stops back from curves and crosswalks to improve visibility at Raymond at Piping Rock and moving stops off center medians to side streets in the Ally Drive area to reduce traffic conflicts.

Why it matters: Metro Transit said federal and city accessibility expectations (including the need for accessible boarding surfaces and the resulting snow‑removal and maintenance responsibilities) and the transit network redesign that followed Bus Rapid Transit construction have prompted a period of housekeeping changes to put stops in more permanent, safer locations.

Details and examples - Far-side relocations and new boarding pads are proposed in multiple corridors, including Raymond Road, Whitney Way, Reitz Road and Mineral Point. Metro described consolidation near Meadowlood Library and the Regent/West High area to create more consistent spacing and fewer short blocks of stops. - In Monona, Metro plans new stops on Broadway and Monona Drive for routes G and L and a new Route 38 serving Monona signals and crossings. - Route B in north Madison will be re-routed if an overhead charger is installed on Northport; several stops would be relocated to fit the new circulation pattern.

Staff process and outreach Metro Transit said it routinely coordinates stop work with city engineering for curb ramps and sidewalks and intends to use district sidewalk maintenance and construction schedules where possible. Metro acknowledged it did not post individual notices at affected stops before the commission meeting and said it will post notices at stops going forward to give users a chance to comment locally.

Commission discussion and decision Commissioners pressed Metro on pedestrian connectivity near stops slated for removal, particularly where sidewalks are missing on side streets. Metro said it has been coordinating with city engineering on potential sidewalk projects and that stop consolidation decisions are influenced by ridership data and capital/ongoing maintenance costs. Commissioners also asked Metro to post physical notice at stops proposed for closure; Metro staff agreed to add that to their calendar.

Outcome The commission approved the recommended bus-stop changes by unanimous consent. Harold Gleams moved approval; Denise Jess seconded. No public speakers registered for the item.

Ending Metro staff said they expect such lists to grow shorter over time as the transit network stabilizes under the network redesign; they plan to return roughly annually with smaller maintenance packages or when new partnerships (such as Monona) require larger updates.