Moving to Madison, do I need a car? (apartment complexes, mortgage)

[maddy152]

I'll be moving to Madison soon and I'm wondering what is their public transportation like? Is it good enough where Madison citizens do not NEED a car?

[Megan1967]

You don't need a car, but they sure make it difficult not to have one. The bus schedule are confusing and every trip entails sitting around in at least one "hub" if not two. Hours are limited in certain areas as well. A 20-25 minute car ride can take well over an hour.

Madison Trip Planning

[maddy152]

Madison doesn't have a rail system?

[Megan1967]

Nope.

[mad420]

Originally Posted by maddy152

I'll be moving to Madison soon and I'm wondering what is their public transportation like? Is it good enough where Madison citizens do not NEED a car?

I think MOST would agree that it SUCKS! With that being said, if it's the only way to get from point A to B, or you just happen to be using a route that doesn't require a transfer etc. it will work.

Ask the poor now disfigured guy and his fiancee who rode several years ago and had a crazy man set the bus on fire how he likes it? Okay that was an unusual and sad event. Oh yeah a bus driver just got convicted for taking off with a passenger hanging on the outside of the bus.

[Drover]

I sure as hell wouldn't count on it as my only source of transportation. It's as good as one can hope for in a city of Madison's small size and low density. But it still has large coverage gaps and limited hours, and it's arranged in a way that sacrifices time in order to gain connectivity with other bus lines; in other words, you just can't get there from here on most of the system. You'll probably have to go out of you way to catch a transfer to wherever it is you're trying to get to. So if you already have a car, bring it. If you don't, see if you can get by without one; consider budgeting for one right now.

[rekuci]

Originally Posted by maddy152

I'll be moving to Madison soon and I'm wondering what is their public transportation like? Is it good enough where Madison citizens do not NEED a car?

Plenty of people associated with the university get by without cars. The biggest hassle will be shopping, but it can easily be done without a car, depending on where you live. Can you please be more specific about where exactly you'd be moving? And yes there are only buses here, which is rather appropriate considering the city has only 250k people.

Most people just try to pick apartment complexes to live in that are right off bus lines if they're outside the city center. For example, there are many apartments 3-4 miles west of downtown that are right off the numerous University Ave bus lines (~10-15 mins to university/downtown) and within walking distance of Hilldale, with grocery stores, mall, doctors offices, etc.

What people on this forum don't often understand is that when you don't have a car, you choose where you live based on that reality, and you research the bus map and pick something doable. It is POSSIBLE in this city to do that, and many people do. You won't plop yourself down somewhere and then realize that it'd take 2 hours for you to get anywhere through 2 transfer stations. If you do your research, it's readily possible, but expect to pay a bit higher rent/mortgage for the privilege.

And this talk about some insane guy burning people on a bus 10 years ago is ridiculous. These are the safest, cleanest buses I've ever seen. Unless you're from Podunkville, you will feel very safe here.

[katreese]

Originally Posted by rekuci

And this talk about some insane guy burning people on a bus 10 years ago is ridiculous.

Why do think it's ridiculous? Are you saying it didn't happen, or that bringing it up is ridiculous?

[mad420]

Originally Posted by rekuci

And this talk about some insane guy burning people on a bus 10 years ago is ridiculous. These are the safest, cleanest buses I've ever seen. Unless you're from Podunkville, you will feel very safe here.

Hey look I hardly think the severly burned guy and his fiancee would think it's ridiculous!! The WI State Journal recently did an update story on the couple and they moved on to Texas as the weather there is better for their charred skin and that is after many surgical procedures. They are very positive people considering what happened to them and even have a child now.

I was just throwing in some local significant bus history for the OP. Bury your head in the sand if you wish. Moral of the story always watch your back!

Yes, if you have to rely on bus service here plan your location accordingly. It can be done although I doubt it is fun.

[rekuci]

It was one freak incident. It could happen anywhere. You're suggesting the OP not ride buses because of it, which yes I think is stupid.

Tens of thousands of Madisonians ride the buses every day without getting burned to death by a nutcase, just as millions of students attend every university in the country without fear of being randomly shot to death, just as millions of people live and work in NYC and DC. Pick something more legitimate about the bus system to worry about please.