The Madison Metro Transit unveiled a proposal for citywide route and scheduling changes at the Transit and Parking Commission meeting Tuesday.
Because of overcrowding on city buses, Metro Transit proposed several route changes to provide an extra 33 hours of service per day.
The plan hopes to improve service to the isthmus area and increase capacity to reach campus, according to Sharon Persich, planning manager for the Metro Transit, who presented the proposal.
The Metro Transit system saw its second highest ridership in 35 years during 2007, according to Metro Transit spokesperson Mick Rusch.
Rusch said UW-Madison students accounted for a large portion of those riders mainly because of unlimited ride programs, such as the Associated Students of Madison's bus pass program.
We're very glad UW students ride buses - it's one of our biggest programs,"" Rusch said, noting the overcrowding of buses shows students are utilizing public transportation options rather than driving cars.
Rusch said the proposal hopes to solve the problem of overcrowding by creating new routes to bring people to the campus area from different parts of town. Although campus buses on the 80 routes are not currently in the proposal, Rusch said they could be added as plans develop further.
The proposal's aim to account for extra riders raises concerns, such as how to pay for the bus changes, according to Parking and Transit Commission chair Carl Durocher.
Durocher said the ridership increase ""adds a humongous burden"" to maintaining budgets for the Metro Transit, but the commission does not want to raise fares to cover the cost. He also noted the stress Metro Transit drivers experience resulting from a high volume of riders.
""In order to squeeze as much efficiency out of the bus system as we could, we may be pushing the envelope out of what we expect drivers to do,"" Duroucher said.
Despite worries, officials remained enthusiastic about the potential benefits the proposal could bring to Metro Transit riders.
""We've had a lot of interest ... this is the first step to change,"" said Rusch.
The commission scheduled a public hearing for April 15.
