Public Hearing Scheduled

6:00 p.m. (Virtual Meeting)

Complete Meeting Details

2026 Fare Equity Analysis

On Wednesday, October 28, Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. to review and discuss proposed increases to the paratransit agency fare and contract rates for the Commute Card and the Unlimited Ride Pass programs.

There are NO proposed increases to Metro's cash fares or fare capping rates. The standard $3.25 paratransit per trip fare is NOT proposed to change.

Agency Fares 

An agency fare is charged to social service agencies that serve people who qualify for human service or transportation-related programs due to disability, income, or age. Agencies may have responsibilities to cover costs of their clients' transportation through other government funding sources. The agency fare is paid by the social service agency on behalf of the eligible paratransit customer.

The agency fare has not changed since 2023. Metro currently charges $34.25 for a one-way agency-funded trip.

Agency fares are intended to cover the full cost of a paratransit ride. However, the cost to provide these rides is currently higher than what Metro Transit receives in agency fares. Metro Transit is proposing two scenarios to increase the paratransit agency fare rate.

Proposal: Increase the agency fare so that it covers the full cost that Metro pays its contracted service providers for each one-way trip. This could be done either through a single increase or smaller cost adjustments over multiple years.

Scenario 1: Single Increase

Increase the agency fare on January 1, 2027 to $63.21, which is an estimated cost for a one-way paratransit trip. Starting January 1, 2028, the agency fare would automatically increase annually. The new one-way agency fare would be determined by the previous year's audited cost per one-way trip adjusted to reflect current year variables in service expenses.

Scenario 2: Fare Increases Spread Over Multiple Years

Increase the agency fare in 2027 and 2028 according to the schedule below. Starting January 1, 2029, the agency fare would automatically increase annually. The new one-way agency fare would be determined by the previous year's audited cost per one-way trip adjusted to reflect current 
year variables in service expenses.

Commute Card Pass 

The Commute Card is a program where participating small businesses contract with Metro to buy rides in bulk at a discounted rate of $1.40 per ride. This fare has not changed since 2016.

Proposal: Increase the Commute Card rate to $1.50 per ride starting January 1, 2027. Starting January 1, 2028, the Commute Card rate would then automatically increase up to 3% annually based on the previous year's audited cost per ride. Any needed rate increase higher than 3% would be brought back to the Transportation Commission for approval.

Unlimited Ride Pass

The Unlimited Ride Pass is a program where participating larger businesses and college campuses contract with Metro to buy unlimited rides in bulk at a discounted rate of $1.35/$1.40 ride.

Proposal: Increase the Unlimited Ride Pass rate to $1.50 per ride starting January 1, 2027. Starting January 1, 2028, the Unlimited Ride Pass rate would then automatically increase up to 3% annually based on the previous year's audited cost per ride. Any needed rate increase higher than 3% would be brought back to the Transportation Commission for approval.

Attend the virtual public hearing or provide feedback prior to the hearing date.

Online Form

• Written comments to: Metro Transit Public Hearing Comments, 1245 E. Washington Ave., Suite 201, Madison WI 53703
• Email: mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com
• Call: (608) 266-4466
• Provide comments at meeting

Verbal & Written Comments Accepted

Consideration will be given to views and comments expressed at the public hearing as well as to all phone and written comments received.

All feedback submitted prior to the hearing will be considered by commission members in the same manner as verbal testimony.