Metro outlines training and station fixes aimed at improving transit access for riders with disabilities

Metro officials updated the Madison Transportation Commission on July 9 about steps they are taking to improve transit access for riders with disabilities, including refresher operator training, on-street “safety blitzes,” station retrofits and public outreach this summer.

The presentation addressed recurring complaints about the gap between buses and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) platforms and the deployment of bridge plates that allow wheelchair users and others to board. Jesse Stammer, Metro’s chief people officer, said the agency has launched refresher training for frontline operators and formed a cross‑department safety planning team to review station operations and rider experience.

Why it matters: Riders with mobility impairments told Metro staff the bridge‑plate process and platform design sometimes make boarding difficult or unsafe, and advocates asked the agency to refine training, signage and on‑station signals so drivers know when a plate is needed. Metro officials said the changes are intended to reduce missed boardings and safety incidents for people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

Metro staff described four near‑term work…