Amendments - Text

Introduction
This report summarizes the draft plan and possible amendments to the draft plan, which, when combined, forms the final plan which will be implemented by Metro Transit

in 2023. These amendments are the result of an expansive public engagement process that has identified several shortcomings of the draft plan. The Transit Network

Redesign consisted of several phases as outlined below.

- Existing Conditions and Choices – Analyzed existing conditions and laid out choices for the new transit network
- Alternatives – Created hypothetical but realistic Coverage and Ridership networks
- Draft Plan – Created a draft network plan
- Final Plan – Amends the draft network to create a plan that will be implemented

Draft Plan Amendments
The amendments that follow are divisible changes to the plan that Metro staff, with Jarrett Walker and Associates, has identified. These amendments directly address most of the comments and requests received through the public engagement process. Although Metro staff have identified staff recommendations, the decision of which amendments to include falls to policy makers like the City of Madison Transportation Policy and Planning Board and Common Council.

The draft network is designed to be cost-neutral compared to Metro’s operating budget and expenses in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. A contingency has been reserved to provide capacity during peak periods which generally will be added frequency on the approved routes. Some amendments increase or decrease service hours compared to the draft plan, while some do not. If an overall package is chosen which increases costs, Metro may require additional local funding in order to implement the plan.

Approval and Implementation Process
Following adoption of the plan by the Common Council, Metro Transit will subject the plan to a Title VI service equity analysis and identify any adjustments that are needed, if any. Complete route schedules and changes to bus stops will be approved by the Transportation Commission. The service change is expected to take place in June, 2023

Draft Plan System Map - Review text version of individual routes

System map showing areas of proposed amendments

Amendment 1
Northport / Troy Converted to one way loop
Cost added: $0

This amendment converts the proposed two way service to a one way loop similar to existing Route 22. The change removes bus service from School Road as requested by the alder and neighborhood while providing service closer to Troy Gardens and Mendota Mental Health Institute. The direction of the one way loop could be either clockwise or counter clockwise.

Staff recommends.

Amendment 2
Route D2 to Wheeler and a new Airport Shuttle
Cost added: $420 K

This amendment redirects Route D2 to the neighborhood north of Northport in place of Route X with a new shuttle route to the airport. It provides all day service north of Northport direct to downtown in place of peak period only service. Staff does not recommend. Go to amendment 9 for all day service north of Northport.

Amendment 3C
No First Street Crossover, Route D1 via East Johnson Street
Cost reduced: Up to $360K

This amendment removes the First Street crossover of Routes C and D. It would make some transfers between Routes A, B, C, and D more difficult, but would make trips towards downtown faster and more direct. It would eliminate several problem turns, intersections, and railroad crossings. With the shorter distance, it will likely be possible to remove a bus and save $360K per year, but not if Route D is extended as shown in
Amendments 11A or 11B. Other route options for Route D1 (Amendments 3A and 3B) have been removed from consideration.

Staff recommends

Amendment 4B
Route O to Randall, John Nolen, and Rusk
Cost added: $680 K

This amendment adds a route in south Madison to address several needs for service not addressed in the draft plan. Several options were investigated close to downtown. The recommended route is via Randall Avenue with direct service to Henry Vilas Zoo . This route will required a modification of the traffic circle at Randall and Vilas. The route will operate on Mills until the changes to the traffic circle are made. The route would operate every 30 to 60 minutes throughout the day. Option 4B uses a one way loop via Olin, John Nolen, Badger, Rusk, Bram, and Gilson. It serves Romnes Apartments, Goodman Pool, Alliant, and Rusk/Bram, but not Fish Hatchery. Option 4A was a similar option that has been removed from consideration.

Staff does not recommend, see Amendment 4D, pending input from the South Madison Planning Council on May 16, 2022.

Amendment 4C
Route O to Randall and John Nolen
Cost added: $680 K

This amendment adds a route in south Madison to address several needs for service not addressed in the draft plan. Several options were investigated close to downtown. The recommended route is via Randall Avenue with direct service to Henry Vilas Zoo. This route will required a modification of the traffic circle at Randall and Vilas. The route will operate on Mills until the changes to the traffic circle are made. The route would operate every 30 to 60 minutes throughout the day. Option 4C a two way path via Olin and John Nolen. It provides the most direct and useful service to Romnes Apartments, Goodman Pool, and Alliant, but does not serve Rusk/Bram or Fish Hatchery.

Staff does not recommend, see Amendment 4D, pending input from the South Madison Planning Council on May 16, 2022.

Amendment 4D
Route O to Randall, John Nolen, and Fish Hatchery
Cost added: $680 K

This amendment adds a route in south Madison to address several needs for service not addressed in the draft plan. Several options were investigated close to downtown. The recommended route is via Randall Avenue with direct service to Henry Vilas Zoo. This route will required a modification of the traffic circle at Randall and Vilas. The route will operate on Mills until the changes to the traffic circle are made. The route would operate every 30 to 60 minutes throughout the day.

Option 4D a one way loop via Olin, John Nolen, Badger, and Fish Hatchery. It serves Romnes Apartments, Goodman Pool, Alliant, and Fish Hatchery, but not Rusk/Bram.

Staff recommends, pending input from the South Madison Planning Council on May 16, 2022.

Amendment 4E
Route O to Randall, John Nolen, Bram, and Fish Hatchery
Cost added: $680 K

This amendment adds a route in south Madison to address several needs for service not addressed in the draft plan. Several options were investigated close to downtown. The recommended route is via Randall Avenue with direct service to Henry Vilas Zoo. This route will required a modification of the traffic circle at Randall and Vilas. The route will operate on Mills until the changes to the traffic circle are made. The route would operate every 60 minutes throughout the day.

Option 4E is a one-way loop via Olin, John Nolen, Badger, Rusk, Bram, Fisher, and Fish Hatchery. It serves Romnes Apartments, Goodman Pool, Alliant, Rusk/Bram and Fish Hatchery. The deviation to Bram would add about 5 minutes and several speed humps to the route.

Staff does not recommend. See Amendment 4D.

Amendment 5
Route X Improved to an All Day Route West of the UW Campus
Cost added: $520 K

This amendment converts Route X in west Madison from a peak period only route to an all day route. Outside commute times it woul d run once an hour and either end at the UW Hospital or continue east towards the UW campus and South Madison. See Amendments 2, 4, 8, and 9 for potential changes to Route X on the north side and Route O.

This change provides all day service to Odana Road and the Westmorland neighborhood.

Staff recommends.

Amendment 6A
Route R on Old Sauk Road and All Day Route Y
Cost added: $870 K

This amendment shortens Route H and replaces Old Sauk Road service with Route R. Route R would operate directly along Old Sauk Road to downtown similar to Route 15 and would operate hourly at all times. Route Y would also operate once an hour all day. On evenings and weekends, Routes R and Y would end at Eau Claire station similar to Route F where riders would transfer to continue towards downtown. Funding for some of Route Y w oul d be provided by Middleton.

This amendment provides all day service to Park Street and South Ridge in Middleton. Option 6B has been removed from consideration.

Staff recommends contingent on Support from the City of Middleton.

Amendment 7
Route D2 Moved to Nakoma
Cost added: $0

This amendment moves Route D2 from Odana and Midvale to Nakoma. It removes service from Midvale between Odana and Nakoma and reduces frequency on Odana east of Midvale. This change replaces part of the service area that was covered by Route 19 before the COVID pandemic.

Staff recommends.

Amendment 8
Isthmus Commuter Service to the UW Campus, Routes V and W
Cost added: Included in peak service reserve ($800 K)

This amendment adds a new peak period commuter on each side of the isthmus. Route V would serve Jenifer Street and Route W would serve Johnson and Gorham Streets. The purpose of the routes is to provide enough capacity as well as to give riders direct access to the interior of the UW Campus. In addition, Route W would provide peak period service on Sherman Avenue to Sherman Terrace Apartments. Route X is assumed to be removed i n Amendment 8 (See Amendments 2, 5, and 9 for other possible changes to Route X). This service is presumed to be part of the operating cost reserve held for rush hour capacity.

Staff recommends.

Amendment 9
Route L North Side, Pick ‘N Save, Kinsman, Woodman’s, LaFollette , Owl Creek, and Kings Mill
Cost added: $1,040 K

This amendment introduces new Route L on the east and north sides of Madison serving Wheeler Road, Dryden Drive, the Aberg Avenue Pick ‘N Save, Kinsman, Woodman’s, Walter Street, LaFollette High School, and Owl Creek. On the north side it replaces Route X (See Amendments 2, 5, and 8 for other possible changes to Route X). It also replaces two branches of Route C: Routes C2 and C3. Route C2 is then used to provide service east of I 39/90 on Buckeye Road to Kings Mill Way. Route L would run every 60 to 75 minutes throughout the day.

This change is intended to address several concerns expressed in these neighborhood, including all day service north of Northport, service to Dryden Terrace Apartments, direct service to the Aberg Avenue Pick ‘N Save, service to the Eastmorland neighborhood, direct service between LaFollette High School and Owl Creek, and service to Kings Mill Way.

Service lost with Amendment 9 is direct service between downtown and several neighborhoods as well as the Dutch Mill Park and Ride.

This change is supported by the Owl Creek Neighborhood Resource Team.

Staff recommends.

Amendment 10
Route E Moved Away from the UW Hospital and from Midvale to Segoe
Cost added: $0

This amendment moves Route E from the UW Hospital loop (University Bay Drive and Highland Avenue) to University Avenue. The amendment also moves Route E from Midvale to Segoe. This change is only possible if Amendment 5 is also adopted, improving Route X to an all day route. In addition, Route E is clarified to operate on Franklin until Ridge is improved with curb, gutter, and sidewalk (Revised June 2, 2022).

This change takes advantage of all day service on Route X to make Route E faster and more direct while also providing service at the corner of Regent and Segoe.

Staff recommends contingent on adoption of Amendment 5.

Amendment 11A
Route D2 Moved from McKee to Fitchrona , Nesbitt, and Maple Grove
Cost added: Up to $360K

This amendment moves Route D2 farther south to provide service along Maple Grove Road between Nesbitt and McKee. This change provides new transit service to new development in this area.

If Amendment 3C (removal of the First Street crossover) is included, then this added distance will negate the $360K savings from that amendment.

Staff recommends.

Amendment 11B
Route D2 Moved from McKee to Manchester and Maple Grove
Cost added: Up to $360K

This amendment moves Route D2 farther south to provide service along Maple Grove and Manchester. This change provides new transit service to new development in this area. If Amendment 3C (removal of the First Street crossover) is included, then this added distance will negate the $360K savings from that amendment.

Staff does not recommend, see Amendment 11A.

Amendment 12
Route F Moved from the East Branch of Excelsior to the West Branch
Cost added: $0

This amendment moves Route F closer to the Madison West Department of Motor Vehicles office at 8417 Excelsior Drive. With this change it will reduce the walking distance to the DMV from about 1,600 feet to nearly nothing. It makes the route slightly longer but does not increase operating costs.

Staff recommends.

Amendment 13
Route D2 Moved from Allied to Red Arrow and Jenewein
Cost added: $0 (small cost shift to Fitchburg)

This amendment moves Route D2 closer to several neighborhoods on Red Arrow in Fitchburg. It makes the route slightly longer but still more direct than current service in the area and does not increase the overall cost of the service.

This change addresses some negative impacts to people living near Red Arrow and Crescent that were observed with the draft plan.

Staff recommends. This amendment was supported by the City of Fitchburg Common Council on May 24, 2022.

Amendment 14
Route B Extended to Fitchburg Civic Campus
Cost added: $650K ($610 K Fitchburg, $40 K Madison)

Route B (the north south BRT route) would be extended from its planned terminal just north of McKee to Fish Hatchery and Lacy. It would add a bus to the rotation This change would provide frequent all day service to the growing Fitchburg Civic Campus, as well as residential areas nearby.

This amendment was not supported by the City of Fitchburg Common Council on May 24, 2022, therefore staff does not recommend.Amendment 15
Route Z Moved from Capitol Square to Broom/Bassett and UW Campus
Cost added: $130K ($110 K Madison, $20 K Madison)

Route Z is moved to provide more direct service to the UW campus. Although it no longer serves the Capitol Square, those destinations would be a few blocks from Broom and Bassett Streets.

The change would also provide additional capacity on Broom Street and Observatory Drive where Metro regularly experiences overloads.

This amendment was recommended by the City of Fitchburg Transportation and Transit Commission on May 12, 2022.

Staff recommends. This amendment was supported by the City of Fitchburg Common Council on May 24, 2022.

Amendment 16A
Route G Loop via Latitude 43 and Novation Parkway
Cost added: $0 (small cost shift to Fitchburg)

Route G is changed to add a small loop west of Rimrock via Latitude 43 and Novation Parkway. The route would go clockwise in both directions. The longer term intention is to reroute Route G via Badger, Pheasant Ridge, Latitude 43, and Novation Parkway once the Latitude 43 connection is
made.

This change provides a bus stop that is two blocks closer to the Southdale neighborhood compared with the draft plan route and does not require a crossing of Rimrock Road.

Residents would walk from Deer Valley to Latitude 43 using an existing sidewalk connection This amendment was recommended by the City of
Fitchburg Transportation and Transit Commission on May 12, 2022

This amendment was not supported by the City of Fitchburg Common Council on May 24, 2022. See Amendment 16C.

Amendment 16B
Route G Loop via Badger, Pheasant Ridge, and Novation Parkway
Cost added: $0 (cost shift to Fitchburg)

Route G is changed to add a larger two way loop west of Rimrock via Badger, Pheasant Ridge, and Novation Parkway in both directions. This alignment is dependent on the street connection between Deer Valley and Latitude 43 being completed. In the near term, the route could be
accommodated with a temporary detour via Deer Valley and Ski Lane.

This change provides a bus stop in the Southdale neighborhood at Pheasant Ridge and Deer Valley.

This amendment was not supported by the City of Fitchburg Common Council on May 24, 2022. See Amendment 16C.

Amendment 16C
Route G Loop via Badger, Pheasant Ridge, Deer Valley, Ski Lane, and Novation Parkway
Cost added: $0 (cost shift to Fitchburg)

Route G is changed to add a larger two-way loop west of Rimrock via Badger, Pheasant Ridge, Deer Valley, Ski Lane, and Novation Parkway in both directions.

This change serves most of the existing bus stops in the Southdale neighborhood.

 This amendment was supported by the City of Fitchburg Common Council on May 24, 2022.

Amendment 17A
Route Z Loop to Radiccio Drive
Cost added: $0 (small cost shift to Fitchburg)

Route Z is changed to add a small loop east of County Highway MM.

This change provides service in a new neighborhood. Sidewalks and crosswalks at Highway MM and Lacy are not yet available.

This amendment was recommended by the City of Fitchburg Transportation and Transit Commission on May 12, 2022.

Staff recommends contingent on support from the City of Fitchburg.

Amendment 17B
Route Z Moved to Ski Lane and Pheasant Ridge
Cost added: $0 (small cost shift to Fitchburg)

Route Z is moved west of Rimrock to Ski Lane, Deer Valley, Pheasant Ridge, and Badger.

This would provide service within the Southdale neighborhood to downtown Madison and to the Fitchburg Civic Campus during peak periods only.

Also refer to Amendments 16A and 16B that relate to this area. This amendment was not supported by the City of Fitchburg Transportation and Transit Commission on May 12, 2022, therefore staff does not recommend.

Amendment 30A
Frequent BRT Service Eliminated on Sundays
Cost reduced: $700K ($670K Madison, $30K Fitchburg)

Service on BRT Routes A and B is reduced to every 30 minutes on Sundays.

Staff recommends.

Amendment 30B
Frequent BRT Service Eliminated on Saturdays and Sundays
Cost reduced: $1,400K ($1,340K Madison, $60K Fitchburg)

Service on BRT Routes A and B is reduced to every 30 minutes on Sundays.

Staff does not recommend, refer to Amendment 30A.

Amendment 30C
Frequent BRT Service Reduced on Saturdays, Eliminated on Sundays
Cost reduced: $950K ($910K Madison, $40K Fitchburg)

Service on BRT Routes A and B is reduced to every 30 minutes on Sundays.

Staff does not recommend, see Amendment 30A.

Amendment 31
Evening Service Begins at 7 pm rather than 8 pm
Cost reduced: $600K

Frequency on most routes drops from daytime levels to evening levels one hour earlier.

Staff recommends.

Table 1: Amendment Cost Summary - Staff Recommended Amendments