As hoped, the Biden administration is recommending $118.1 million in federal funds for the second phase of Madison’s Bus Rapid Transit system that will run from the North Side through Downtown to Fitchburg.
In late 2024, the city will launch BRT, a high-frequency, high-capacity, limited-stop service using elongated electric buses running on city streets and dedicated lanes — often in the center lane and with special stations in medians.
The initial route will run roughly between the East Towne and West Towne malls. The second north-south route is slated to begin operations in 2028.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday announced recommendations that 14 large transit projects in 11 states — including Madison’s second phase of BRT — receive nearly $4 billion in federal support for construction as part of President Biden’s fiscal year 2025 budget request to Congress.
“Public transportation connects people to jobs, school, family, and more — and when transit reaches more people and communities, its impact is even greater,” Buttigieg said in a statement on Monday.
Madison’s second route will provide access for underserved communities and low-income populations and link them to employment opportunities and health care facilities, the statement says. It includes 5.2 miles of exclusive bus lanes, stations and the purchase of battery electric buses, it says.
About 78% of the project will be federally funded, with the rest coming from local communities benefitting from the route, city officials said.
“This federal investment in Madison’s North and South sides will be transformative in helping our city to grow in an equitable and sustainable way,” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a statement.
The recommendation means the city is all but certain to get the funding. “Other than cases where an applicant withdrew their application for lack of local funding, I’m not aware of any project getting a recommendation but not subsequently able to get the full grant agreement in place,” Metro general manager Justin Stuehrenberg said.
Already, new BRT buses have started to arrive for the initial phase and driver training began this month. The buses are not in service yet, but people might spot the distinctive, articulated buses — at 60 feet, they’re longer than other Metro buses and have an accordion-style center connecting the two halves.
The city started construction in spring 2023, with BRT center lane bus stations starting to pop up in the fall. Madison got a $110.6 million Federal Transit Administration grant for the project.
The next round of public meetings for the second phase is planned for April, where residents can learn more and share feedback about the proposed route, station locations and more. For additional details, see: www.madisonbrt.com.
Photos: New Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra building
Cindy Butler, Metro Transit driving instructor and bus operator, recently shows one of the electric buses used for Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, at the bus garage on East Washington Avenue. The Biden administration on Monday recommended $118.1 million in federal funding for a second phase of the project.