Madison Transportation Commission approves Metro Transit stop and trip changes after split vote on Petrona stop

The Madison Transportation Commission approved most of Metro Transit’s proposed stop and trip changes for Route 75 and the D2 extension, but after lengthy public comment and commissioner debate the panel held a separate vote on proposed deletions near Petrona/Nesbitt and approved those changes by a 5–4 vote.

Metro Transit staff said the package is intended to finalize stops for the D2 extension into Verona, reallocate several Route 75 trips to free a bus for the D2, and replace the South Transfer Point with consolidated stops at Park and Hughes. The changes also include a number of stop consolidations and relocations across Verona Road, McKee, Badger and surrounding corridors to improve routing, operations and on‑time performance.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that the D2 is a long route with operational constraints and that the reallocated Route 75 trips are intended to allow the D2 to maintain schedule in heavier traffic. Metro staff said one Route 75 stop at Petrona/Nesbitt (stop ID 4649) averaged about nine boardings per day in April and roughly four per day in winter months; that stop was a focal point of public comment.

Why it mattered: dozens of area residents and workers — including several who said they work at Epic — spoke at the meeting opposing removal of the Petrona/Nesbitt stop. Speakers described uphill winter walks and cited planned local housing growth as reasons to retain the stop. Commissioners weighed those neighborhood access and equity concerns against system‑level goals to keep routes direct, frequent and on time.

Public comment and paratransit: multiple residents said the removal would make routine walking trips impractical for older and non‑driving residents. Staff said they checked paratransit eligibility in the area (paratransit eligibility is based on a three‑quarter‑mile buffer from fixed routes) and found no current enrollees in the immediately affected block, but acknowledged that eligibility and mobility needs can change.

Commission action: Commissioner Harold Cleems moved to approve the package of proposed changes but accept an amendment to separate the Petrona/Nesbitt deletions into their own vote. The commission first approved the package excluding the Petrona items (unanimous consent by the members present for that motion). The subsequent vote on the Petrona/Nesbitt deletions passed 5–4. Metro staff said they will proceed with the approved relocations and route adjustments and continue to monitor ridership and equity impacts and coordinate with the City of Fitchburg and Verona on related developments.

What’s next: staff will implement the changes on the timeline required for the D2 extension and summer service updates, pursue shelter and minor stop upgrades described in the package (notably at Park & Hughes), and maintain communication with affected residents. Commissioners asked staff to return with follow‑up data on ridership changes and paratransit impacts after implementation.

Votes at a glance: the commission recorded two connected actions: (1) Approval of the proposed stop/route package excluding the Petrona/Nesbitt deletions (motion carried by the members voting on that motion); (2) Separate vote to approve the Petrona/Nesbitt stop deletions (motion carried 5–4). The commission directed staff to proceed with implementation of the approved items.