EmployeeNet

Big Changes On The Horizon!

Network Redesign Update

Staff continue to work on the biggest service change Metro has seen in more than 20 years. The region has grown beyond our current transfer point system, and Metro’s entire service is now being redrawn from scratch.

Public meetings have been recently held where riders gave input on what type of service should be offered considering Metro’s operating budget  will remain relatively the same. Specifically, riders were asked whether new service should reach as many people and neighborhoods as possible (coverage model) or focus on the times and areas when and where most people ride (ridership model).

Most riders preferred that new service utilize the ridership model. The City of Madison Transportation Policy and Planning Board (TPPB) has also directed staff to focus on the ridership model with some variations to continue to serve certain neighborhoods.

Staff and local stakeholders have been holding workshops to create a draft map of this new service. As things stand now, it looks like transfer points will no longer be part of the redesign.

With Metro’s current network focused mainly on peaks, the new network is expected to be more consistent with small amounts of extra service added during traditional peak-hour times.

Articulated buses, which are 50% larger than Metro’s current 40’ buses, will also be added to both BRT and neighborhood routes to help with rush hour loads. 

Paratransit service is expected to remain similar to what it is now, with some pockets of the current service area being slightly tweaked.

A draft of the new network is expected to be presented to the TPPB in early 2022 with changes targeted for implementation in 2023.

Employee Questions/Input

Take a look at the Ridership Map which is the basis of the redesign. Staff are still working on refinements, so this is not the final plan.

Review Ridership Map
If you have questions or input, call/text the Employee Info Line at (608) 640-0451 or email MetroRedesign@cityofmadison.com.

Planning staff are putting together a video presentation that will be distributed via text in the coming weeks. Staff will also be available to speak in person in the Dispatch hallway on select dates in January/February.

More information will be available soon.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Staff also continue to work on implementing a bus rapid transit system. As part of the project, Metro will start purchasing 60’ articulated vehicles, with a majority of them being all-electric. BRT lines will operate every 15 minutes in dedicated lanes with less frequent stops. Thirty-two BRT stations will be constructed along new BRT routes.

Features such as collecting fares at stations rather than on the bus as well as traffic signal priority at intersections will allow BRT buses to move through congested areas more cleanly and reliably.

Service will start with an east-west route, with a north-south route also being developed. Buses will run every 15 minutes on each line. Where those lines intersect, there will be a bus every 7 ½ minutes.

Additionally, a third BRT line is being developed that heads west towards Middleton. In the areas where all 3 lines overlap, a bus can be expected every 5 minutes. Passengers won’t need to look at a schedule, because a bus will always be quickly available.

BRT service is expected to officially roll out in 2024. 
 
See the BRT flyer for more information. If you have questions or comments, call the Employee Info Line at (608) 640-0451 or email BRT@cityofmadison.com.

Review BRT Flyer

Technology Projects

Staff are also in the process of reviewing bid proposals to replace aging technology systems throughout Metro.

New systems will help improve operations by providing good reliable data that will identify areas where buses are delayed, show more accurately where people are boarding, improve how passengers are counted, and enhance customer trip planning and bus tracking services.

Metro’s fare collection system will be part of this upgrade. Proposals will be solicited soon to convert Metro’s use of magnetic stripe passes to an account-based system that utilizes smart cards and possibly mobile devices. As part of this new system, customers will be able to board buses more quickly, pay for fare items online and have their monthly charges capped at a predetermined rate.

Staff expect to start implementing these new systems in 2023.

Vaccine Boosters Available

Public Health Madison Dane County (PHMDC) is now offering transportation employees Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer third dose boosters. Mixing and matching of boosters is available, but they can’t guarantee they’ll have all three brands in stock. Third dose boosters are also available at Walgreens and other local pharmacies.

At this point in time, vaccine boosters are not a requirement to be considered fully vaccinated.

Complete Booster Information

Uniform Orders

The 2021 driver uniform ordering process is now underway with a number of new items now available. Look for a catalog and order form in your mailbox. Orders must be submitted by December 31.

Holiday Retirement Party

Regretfully due to Covid limitations, we weren’t able to hold a holiday retirement party last year. We are looking to schedule an event sometime in March when hopefully Covid cases have decreased and mask requirements are no longer in place. More information will be available soon.

Please Help Recruit Drivers Position Open Through December

If you know of someone that needs a job, let them know Metro is still hiring. Help spread the word by posting posters and handing out business card notices. Pick up at the 1245 building front desk.

New and Promoted Employees

Please welcome or congratulate the employees below who have recently started or been
promoted to a new position.

Drivers
Hochi Bautista
Kimberly Grant
McNeal James
Michael Johnson
Caleb Linden
Marc Ritland
David Robinson
Patrick Scullion
Sasha Weldy

General Operations Supervisor
Jennifer Wiegert

New Safety Coordinator

Metro has hired a new safety coordinator Justin Maki. Justin will work closely with Phil Gadke to continue to improve safety on buses, but he will also be looking at ways to improve safety throughout all Metro facilities.

Report Safety Concerns

If you have a safety concern at any of Metro’s facilities, please:

• Call or tell your supervisor
• Fill out safety concern form and turn into Dispatch.
• Call or text the Metro Employee Information Line (608) 640-0451

All reports are confidential.

#SeeSayDay

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designates a day in September to highlight the importance of reporting suspicious activity to help keep communities safe. By learning the indicators of terrorism-related crimes, paying attention to your surroundings, and reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement, you can help keep your community safe too.

Learn more about these indicators and other information highlighted by DHS.

Learn More

As always, if you see any suspicious activity, call it in to Dispatch.

Construction Updates

Move of Driver Check-In Location Delayed 

The move of the driver check-in location has been delayed from the end of October to an undetermined time. As construction moves along, the current location will close and move into the old cash room in the bus storage garage.

Metro North

Staff are currently working on bringing a consultant on board to help get us up and running at the Hanson Rd. facility. The budget for this project is more limited than the remodel at the 1101 garage, but improvements will be made to get it ready so that some maintenance and dispatch operations can be transferred to that location.