Madison, Wisconsin, has started building a new bus storage and maintenance facility. This marks the first expansion of its Metro Transit bus services in ten years. The project, costing $16M, is funded by federal and local sources. It will support the city’s new electric bus fleet. The groundbreaking ceremony was on February 14, 2024, at the future site of the facility.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway spoke about the project, highlighting the role of federal funding. She also pointed out the community benefits from the partnership with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).
According to Metro Transit General Manager Justin Stuehrenberg, the new facility will provide more storage and full operational capacity. The city’s growth has increased service needs. The current location services 190 buses, but was built for 160.
The new facility will convert a former warehouse into a bus storage and maintenance building. It will have bus parking, driver support spaces, service lanes, maintenance lifts, and room for bus movement. The building will also support electric bus storage and charging, with parking for up to 65 articulated buses. The facility aims to achieve a LEEDv4 Silver certification, and a solar array will be added to the roofs in 2025.