Madison Launches Bus Rapid Transit Study

Wisconsin’s growing capital is hoping to add bus only transit to accommodate its new residents.

1 minute read

December 22, 2018, 5:00 AM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


US Highway 53 - Wisconsin

Doug Kerr / Flickr

Madison is growing, and city officials want transit to grow with it. "Bus rapid transit, or BRT,  is a 'key component' of Madison’s transportation plan for the next decade," reports Abigail Becker. The city is launching the first phase of a study that represents a first step. Even if the outcomes of the study are favorable, bus lanes are unlikely to appear in the city before 2024.

Still, officials think they can improve transit times and run buses more efficiently with a BRT than with the infrastructure that’s currently available. "In the past, Madison has been unable to compete for federal funding with larger cities seeking commuter or light rail projects. Trowbridge said he is more confident that Madison would be able to acquire federal funding for BRT," according to Becker.

Monday, December 10, 2018 in The Cap Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 4, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Line of multi-colored big rig trucks drivign down highway with other traffic including a yellow school bus.

Study: 4% of Truckers Lack a Valid Commercial License

Over 56% of inspected trucks had other violations.

June 4 - FreightWaves

Pedestrian holding visual impairment cane pressing crosswalk button.

Chicago Judge Orders Thousands of Accessible Ped Signals

Only 3% of the city's crossing signals are currently accessible to blind pedestrians.

June 4 - DRA Legal

People on bike wearing helmets stopped at intersection waiting for passing cars in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Swaps Car Lanes for Bikeways in Unanimous Vote

The project will transform one of the handful of streets responsible for 80% of the city’s major crashes.

June 4 - Philly Voice

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.