By Liz Callin
City of Madison
Metro Transit is planning a new on-route charging station at the intersection of Northport Drive and Kennedy Road to support the City’s new electric bus fleet. This charger will enable Route B buses to top up their battery power during their routes, enhancing service reliability and contributing to the City’s sustainability goals.
The new charging setup will include a pull-out lane, a small utility building, and an overhead charger specifically designed for quick stops. This change has a couple of benefits: it will improve reliability of service on Route B by ensuring the fleet is adequately charged, and it will eliminate the layover at Northport Drive and Troy Drive — passengers will no longer have to wait or change buses before continuing on their way.
Related proposed route adjustments
To align with the new charging station, the turnaround loop for Route B will also be adjusted. Currently, the loop operates clockwise around Troy Drive, Green Avenue and Northport Drive, but staff have proposed to reverse the loop in the counterclockwise direction. This change allows southbound buses to pull into the new charging station more seamlessly and takes advantage of new sidewalks that will be built around the loop. This also means new local bus stops will be installed on the opposite side of the street. Maps are available online.
Coordination with other projects
Several other projects are happening around the same time on the Northside and City staff are coordinating closely. These projects include the reconstruction of Knutson Drive (2025), resurfacing Green Avenue (2025), a railroad bridge replacement (2025/2026), and continued planning and design for the North-South Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project (2027/2028). All these efforts contribute to making the area safer, more accessible, and more connected for residents and visitors.
Overall, this new on-route charger is just one part of Madison’s larger vision for a faster, more convenient and more sustainable public transportation system. Whether you’re a frequent bus rider or just passing through, these changes will help make your experience smoother, more direct, and environmentally friendly.
For more information, call 608-266-4466 or visit mymetrobus.com.
