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Transportation Commission honors Metro Transit general manager Justin Schubert
Summary
The Madison Transportation Commission adopted a resolution May 14 honoring Justin Schubert, Metro Transit general manager, for leading a multi-year transit network redesign, launching bus rapid transit and securing federal funding; the resolution passed by unanimous consent.
The Madison Transportation Commission on May 14 adopted a resolution honoring Justin Schubert, Metro Transit general manager, for leading major changes at Metro Transit including a network redesign, a new east–west bus rapid transit line and securing large federal grants.
The resolution, introduced by commission staff and read into the record, notes Schubert was confirmed as Metro Transit general manager on May 5, 2020, guided the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic, and helped increase Metro Transit revenues from regional partnerships from $4,000,000 in 2019 to $14,000,000 in 2025. It also highlights renovation of the main Metro Transit facility, purchase and renovation of the Hanson Road satellite facility to charge electric buses, and the network redesign that redistributed service across the city. The resolution says North–South BRT is in project development and has been recommended for Federal Transit Administration funding.
Commissioners and alders who spoke during the honoring praised Schubert’s leadership. Commissioner Denise Jess said the bus rapid transit (BRT) and broader Metro improvements made the system “much easier to use” and commended Schubert’s development of staff and leadership. A member identified as Yang thanked Schubert for his partnership with traffic engineering and said his work created “alternative transportation options for our residents.” Chair Anne Kovich (chair) described the changes as “major accomplishments in a relatively short period of time.”
Schubert thanked Metro staff, commission members and elected officials, saying the changes were the result of “collaborative partnership” and noting he will remain in Madison. He invited colleagues to a June 4 happy hour at the Great Dane.
The commission adopted the resolution by unanimous consent; Chair Kovich said she would sign two originals and provide one to Metro Transit and one for the Transportation Commission’s records.
The resolution text and remarks in the meeting cite the design and service changes, the introduction of larger all‑electric articulated buses, new fare collection systems, and use of transit signal priority as elements of the BRT program. The resolution also states Schubert plans to leave Metro Transit on May 30, 2025, to pursue new opportunities.
For transparency, the commission’s discussion that evening was celebratory and contained expressions of appreciation as well as specific examples of service improvements and staff development; no formal policy actions were taken as part of the resolution beyond its adoption.
