MADISON, Wis. -- Madison's annual Rhythm and Booms fires off this Saturday at Warner Park.

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The event, which starts at noon, is expected to draw around 250,000 people. But, one big change this year will be that Madison Metro will no longer be providing the shuttle service between Warner Park and the MATC parking lot.

New federal regulations that went into effect in April prohibit federally-funded transit systems from providing shuttle services for community events.

"It's a federal rule that's trying to help out the private companies," said Metro transit marketing specialist Mick Rusch. "We feel like we're passing the torch. We understand the spirit of this legislation."

The new federal rules also mean Metro buses will no longer be able to provide shuttle service at University of Wisconsin football games or WIAA sporting events. Metro buses moved 50,000 people a year on these community event shuttles, WISC-TV reported.

"It's not a huge source of income. It's pretty much a service to help the community," said Rusch. "We break even pretty much each year on everything we so we're not losing anything. We're not gaining anything."

Under the new rules, private companies may sign up under the Federal Transit Administration if they wish to be considered for community event shuttle service.

To date there are 30 private bus companies already registered in the Madison area ready to shuttle.

Kobussen out of Sun Prairie will take the reins at Rhythm and Booms this year. Kobussen project manager Tom Ruehen said they plan to use Metro's exact plan from year's past.

"They're going to provide the exact same service and we're comfortable telling people that they're going to get the same kind of service from this new company as they would with us," said Rusch.

Rusch said that providing shuttles, especially for Rhythm and Booms, is a lot of work.

"Our office staff, we have mechanics that are out there, our entire driver, supervisor crew would be out there to help load buses," said Rusch. "We'd pull people from our customer service area, from our accounting staff. All of those people would go out there to help direct customers to buses and make sure everyone got on safely."

Now, Madison Metro staff will attend Rhythm and Booms to enjoy the night, rather than work it.

"We're just fine passing the torch and letting them handle it," said Rusch.

Rusch said Metro officials will still have about eight fixed-route buses at the North Transfer Point ready to go as soon as the fireworks are over. They will also place a few extra staff downtown to help passengers find the correct route home.

Kobussen said the cost of a round-trip shuttle this year will be $5. That's $1 more than last year because of the skyrocketing cost of fuel.

Ruehen said the company doesn't expect to make a lot of money running shuttles for Rhythm and Booms. They anticipate they will break even.

Ruehen said Kobussen took the shuttle contract because it would give the company a high-profile exposure to thousands of people.

Rhythm and Booms fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

Kobussen's yellow school-shuttle buses begin at noon on Saturday, and run in 15-minute intervals.

The shuttle service will continue for 90 minutes after the event.