MADISON, Wis. — On Sunday, Madison is set to launch its new bus rapid transit system.

What You Need To Know

  • Starting Sunday, routes A, B and F will begin to board at new stations that have been built across town

  • The new system will feature bigger, electric buses with multiple entrances for riders to board

  • There will also be a new “fast fare” system which will allow riders to load money in their account from home or from kiosks at the bus stations

  • The city is asking drivers not to use the red painted lanes, unless it’s a turn lane with a dotted white line

City leaders said it will be quicker and more efficient for riders to get across town.

Starting Sunday, routes A, B and F will begin to board at new stations that have been built across town.

Mick Rusch, the Chief Development Officer for Madison Metro Transit, said this new system will get riders across town much quicker.

“It’s going to be a lot easier to pay your fare,” Rusch said. “It's going to be a lot easier to get on the bus, and it's just the buses themselves with these red lanes, they're going to be cutting through traffic a little bit more quickly than we do right now.”

The new system will feature bigger, electric buses with multiple entrances for riders to board.

There will also be a new “fast fare” system which will allow riders to load money in their account from home or from kiosks at the bus stations.

“Basically, you can get on any door, and you can just tap your card and go,” Rusch said. “So, we're asking people to pick up a fast fare before they board, so it'll make your ride that much more quickly.”

The system may pose some hurdles for riders as they adjust. 

Willow Walker is a college student who takes two bus routes to get to and from class. She said she’s concerned about how this will change her commute.

“I have to find out where I have to go on Monday, and I'm really confused about where to go,” Walker said.

Walker said she’s been spending time studying the schedule changes but is still unsure how things will go starting next week.

“I feel like I'm going to be late on Monday, so I'm trying to figure out how early I need to get out of the house in order to be there on time,” she said.

City leaders said they understand there’s bound to be some confusion at first, including with other drivers.

The city is asking drivers not to use the red painted lanes, unless it’s a turn lane with a dotted white line.

Rusch said he knows it will take some time.

“We just ask everyone to, as we're getting used to putting this new service out on the street, just be patient with us,” he said. “We're working on it.”

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