Meet Metro's New GM

Message From the GM

Hi Metro!

I’m Jamie Acton, your new General Manager. I officially started on October 13 and am bringing over 15 years of public transit experience to the department.

Most recently, I served as the Director of Planning and Program Development for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Region 10. There, I oversaw a team managing a massive portfolio of multimodal projects, environmental planning, and formula and discretionary grants across Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Prior to the FTA, I was the Executive Director for the Public Transportation Department in Anchorage. That system is similar to ours: it’s city-owned, operates fixed route and paratransit, and works with a unionized workforce. After a comprehensive system redesign, my team and I successfully expanded service, modernized the fleet, improved rider technology, and secured millions in grant funding.

Now that I'm officially on board, my focus isn't on being revolutionary or making change for change’s sake- it's on building a rock-solid foundation. I'm concentrating on four critical areas to bring stability and ensure Metro operates at its best. I’m excited to tackle these priorities together:

• Doing the Basics Well: Metro must excel at the core operations that keep our system moving reliably and efficiently. This includes evaluating all areas of the system; improving how we manage our day-to-day business; ensuring we have the right tools to keep service on the street; and confirming we’re fully compliant with all federal, state, and local regulations that keep our grant funds flowing.
• Safety & Security: The safety and security of all Metro staff and every single rider is non-negotiable, whether that’s on the shop floor, on a bus, in the field, or in the office.
• Financial Health: Metro needs to establish and maintain strong fiscal health to fund the safety, service, and innovation projects that make us successful.
• Communications & Relationships: We have some relationships to repair and rebuild, both internally among Metro staff and externally with our city partners. I'm dedicated to improving how we engage and communicate- it’s important to me that you have the information you need, and externally, that we’re keeping the riders and community informed of what’s happening at Metro.

I'm excited to finally be in Madison and settling in. I genuinely look forward to working with all of you! 

Moving forward, J

Money Moves

Let's talk about business and budgets- it’s how we pay for all the services and infrastructure that benefit our community.

2025 Budget Year-End Projections

The 2025 Budget Year End Projections are currently being finalized. Currently Metro’s expenses are outpacing our revenues, and we’re facing a large deficit. Metro Finance, City Finance, and myself are meeting regularly and looking for ways to fill the gap. More details to come as this process unfolds. Here’s Metro’s 2025 Adopted Budget. 

2026 Budget Season

The City of Madison’s Operating and Capital Budgets are planning and financial documents that detail how the City pays for services and infrastructure that benefit City residents.

The Operating Budget: Provides money for running Metro Transit. It pays for the day-to-day spending on employees and materials and supplies. Metro Transit 2026 Operating Budget Request Summary.

The Capital Budget: Provides funding for Metro Transit’s major construction projects including new facilities, stations, and stops; purchasing revenue and non-revenue vehicles, and associated equipment. Metro Transit 2026 Capital Budget Request Summary

Budget development is a multi-step process that involves City agencies, the Finance Committee, and Common Council. Here’s the 2026 Budget Timeline outlining the process:

2026 Picks

For our operators, per the Local 120 CBA, Metro’s 2026 General Pick Dates were decided at the October 27, 2025, Run Cut Committee meeting. If you have any questions about the Run Cut Committee, please reach out to Matt, Saren, Bob, Bjorn, Mick, or Bryan.

• Run Cut Committee Meeting Notes

2026 General Pick Dates

2026 #TeamCity Employee Survey

A message from City of Madison Human Resources Department:

Dear City of Madison Employee,

You can make a big difference in a few minutes! Please take the #TeamCity Employee Survey at your earliest convenience.

2026 Employee Survey

Your feedback and input are important. City leaders need to hear from you to understand staff needs. What you share will be key to helping us improve.

A few things to remember:

• Polco is an external, independent research firm that has been contracted to conduct this employee survey on behalf of the City.
• Your anonymity is a priority. In no case will information be collected or reported in such a way that any person’s identity can be known.
• If you exit the survey without fully completing it, you can return to the survey at the point where you left off unless you "submit" at the end.
• Please use a web browser other than Microsoft Internet Explorer to minimize potential issues completing the survey.
• If you complete the survey via this email, you will not receive reminders emails.

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Kara Kratowicz at 608-266-4030 or pe@cityofmadison.com. If you need an accommodation to complete the survey, Leah Reinardy would be happy to assist: lreinardy@cityofmadison.com.

If you want to learn more about the #TeamCity Survey, view FAQs, or past accomplishments from previous surveys, visit the #TeamCity Employee Survey website. Survey closes December 1, 2025.

Thank you for helping improve our organization!

Erin Hillson
City of Madison Human Resources Director