Public Information Meeting

Phase One Community Meeting
Wednesday, March 3
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

• Zoom Link
• Meeting Details

Please attend a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, March 3 to learn about Metro Transit's Network Redesign.

Metro staff and national transit planning consultants, Jarrett Walker + Associates, will provide an overview of the project, discuss their analysis of the current system, and gather your input.

• What is the Transit Network Redesign?
• Information Flyer

Purpose of Redesign

The Metro Transit Network Redesign will design a route system that will better meet the needs of Madison area residents and businesses by increasing access, decreasing travel times, and improving the quality of transit riders’ experience.  

Specific goals:

• Simplify service
• Reduce travel times
• Increase ridership
• Reduce vehicle miles traveled
• Improve service for underserved and disadvantaged communities
• Improve evening and weekend service
• Complement the East-West Bus Rapid Transit route 

Project Timeline

The process is scheduled to run from first quarter 2021 through first quarter 2022 in three phases including the analysis of the current system, presentation of alternatives, and the selection of the preferred alternative.

Metro Transit’s Network Redesign will include a robust community engagement process throughout each phase using a range of tools including surveys, workshops, public meetings, focus groups, and other events. 

For the first phase, engagement will be virtual. As COVID protocols and weather permit, some activities in the second and third phases will occur outdoors and in person. 

Transit Network Redesign and Bus Rapid Transit

Over the last several years, the city has been working on the planning and future implementation of bus rapid transit (BRT). Design and engineering of the route and stations has begun with construction scheduled to begin in 2023 and service to start running in 2024.

Learn More About BRT

The Network Redesign will take into consideration the east-west and north-south BRT routes to minimize overlap and optimize connections throughout the system.   

Community Engagement  

Community input is vital to the success of the Transit Network Redesign. In the process of determining where and how often buses should run, the City of Madison will seek input on key issues such as:

• How does the existing system work (or not) for you and your community?
• What kinds of barriers or problems should Metro Transit address to make service more useful?
• Which goals are most important for the transit network to serve in future?
• Which kinds of improvement should be prioritized?
   

Community Input will be organized into three phases:

• Phase One - Key Choices, Values and Priorities, March 3, 2021

• Phase Two – Transit Network Alternatives, August - September 2021

• Phase Three - Draft Transit Network Plan, January - February 2022  
   

Each phase will engage the public with the following tools:

Community Survey: Surveys will be released to the community via social media, Alder blogs, community organizations, neighborhood associations, and Metro Rider Alert emails and text messages. Paper surveys will also be placed at key locations (libraries, community centers, Metro Transit Offices). 

Community Meetings: Community meetings will be held virtually and all community members are welcome to participate. If you are unable to participate, each meeting will be recorded and a link to the recording and presentation materials will be placed online shortly after the meeting date.

A Phase One community meeting will take place on March 3 from 6:00p to 7:30p.

Focus Groups: Focus groups will help the City gather input from a diversity of community members in a smaller, informal forum. Focus groups will be convened through community organizations, business and civic associations, neighborhood associations, and other groups who would like to provide their input into the redesign plan.  

If you are interested in hosting a focus group, please send an email to MetroRedesign@cityofmadison.com.

Tabling at Events: During the summer and fall, COVID permitting, project staff will be at community events and key locations throughout the community to share progress on the redesign, answer questions, and gather input. 

Stakeholder Workshops: The Mayor will host a three-hour workshop during each phase of the network redesign. Participants in the workshops will include community, business, and civic leaders representing a diversity of constituencies including BIPOC, low income, people living with disabilities, and others who are often unable to participate in planning processes. 

Questions? Comments? Email MetroRedesign@cityofmadison.com.

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