Fiscal Note
No City appropriation required.
Title
Expressing appreciation to General Manager Justin Stuehrenberg for his years of dedicated service, transformative leadership, and significant contributions to Metro Transit and the City of Madison.
Body
WHEREAS, Justin Stuehrenberg was selected as the General Manager of Metro Transit on March 10, 2020; and,
WHEREAS, General Manager Stuehrenberg will resign from Metro Transit on May 30th, 2025, after more than five years of dedicated service to the City of Madison; and,
WHEREAS, General Manager Stuehrenberg took the helm of Metro Transit during one of the most challenging periods in public transit history, navigating the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while leading the agency through a period of significant transformation and growth; and,
WHEREAS, under his leadership, Metro Transit successfully completed a comprehensive network redesign, improving service efficiency and accessibility for the residents of Madison; and,
WHEREAS, General Manager Stuehrenberg oversaw the implementation of a cutting-edge vehicle technology system and a modern fare collection system, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of public transit operations; and,
WHEREAS, he led the renovation of Metro’s 40-year-old operations facility and the opening of a second operations hub, ensuring Metro’s infrastructure could support future growth and modernization; and,
WHEREAS, under his guidance, Metro transitioned one-third of its fleet to electric vehicles while modernizing the entire fleet, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility; and,
WHEREAS, General Manager Stuehrenberg successfully launched Madison’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, laying the foundation for a faster, more reliable, and more efficient transit network; and,
WHEREAS, through his leadership and strategic vision, Metro Transit grew its partnerships from $4 million in 2019 to $14 million in 2025, significantly expanding external funding and collaboration opportunities to benefit the city and its residents; and,
WHEREAS, he played a critical role in securing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to support Metro’s ambitious initiatives, ensuring continued investment in the city’s transit infrastructure; and,
WHEREAS, General Manager Stuehrenberg successfully reduced staffing vacancies, building a strong and committed workforce prepared to sustain Metro Transit’s ongoing success; and,
WHEREAS, he leaves behind an agency well-positioned for continued growth, with a strong team and an organizational structure designed to enhance operational excellence and service delivery for years to come; and,
WHEREAS, his leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to public service have positioned Metro Transit as a national leader in transit innovation, benefiting not only the Madison community but also serving as a model for cities across the country;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and the Madison Common Council express their sincere appreciation to General Manager Justin Stuehrenberg for his years of dedicated service, transformative leadership, and significant contributions to Metro Transit and the City of Madison.