After two years of planning, Madison Metro Transit will launch a completely new system of bus routes, maps, and schedules Sunday, June 11, 2023.
Development of the new system was informed by Metro Transit’s two-year public feedback campaign, including input from the UW campus community and stakeholders. Transportation Services advocated for campus bus service throughout the design process and will continue to monitor impacts of the new system on UW community members.
Faculty, staff, students, and visitors are encouraged to check their routes and stop locations before the June 11 launch using resources available at mymetrobus.com. These resources include:
- Trip planning with Google Maps. (Click the “Transit” button in the top menu and then any “Directions” icon to input trip information. Select the date and time for June 11 or after.)
- Trip planning with the Transit App (Click “Where to?” and input trip information. Then select “Leave now” and set the date and time for June 11 or after.)
- Detailed service schedules for the new routes.
- Online system map with accessible stop locations
- Complete system map (PDF download)
- Individual route maps, including text descriptions
Campus bus routes
Campus bus routes 80, 82, and 84 are not directly affected by the new system. Route maps and schedules will remain the same, but schedule adjustments may be required in the future to improve connection points with the new bus system.
Starting June 11, campus bus route 81 will no longer serve State Street. For more information, download the new Route 81 map (effective June 11).
Getting to and from campus with Metro Transit’s new system
Several routes in the new bus system will travel to or through campus at varying intervals – from 15 to 60 minutes between arrivals, depending on the route. Some routes provide peak-only service to or from campus during morning and afternoon rush hours.
In some cases, riders will need to transfer from other local routes to access routes serving campus. The charts below show a general overview of only those routes traveling to or through campus starting June 11, 2023. For a full list of new routes, maps, and detailed descriptions, visit mymetrobus.com.
Buses arrive on/near campus every 15 minutes or less on these routes:
| Route Name | General areas served | Stops on or near campus |
|---|---|---|
| Route A | Serves Madison’s east and west sides | Johnson and University |
| Route B | Serves the north and south sides | Johnson and University; State Street |
| Route C | Serves the east side and UW Hospital | Johnson and University; Old University; Highland Avenue |
| Route D | Serves the north, east, west, and southwest sides via local routes D1 and D2 | Johnson and University |
Buses arrive on/near campus every 30 minutes on these routes:
| Route Name | General areas served | Stops on or near campus |
|---|---|---|
| Route F | Serves the west side, Middleton, and Capitol Square | Johnson and University |
Buses arrive on/near campus every 60 minutes on these routes:
| Route Name | General areas served | Stops on or near campus |
|---|---|---|
| Route J | Serves the west side, UW Hospital, and UW campus | Johnson and University; Highland Avenue |
| Route O | Serves the south side and UW campus | Johnson and University |
| Route R1 | Serves the west side and Capitol Square | Johnson and University |
| Route R2 | Serves Middleton and Capitol Square | Johnson and University |
The below routes provide peak-only service through campus. Peak hours are approximately 6-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.
| Route Name | General areas served | Stops on or near campus |
|---|---|---|
| Route 28 | Serves UW Hospital and east side via Gorham and Johnson | Johnson, University, Linden, Observatory, and Highland Avenue |
| Route 38 | Serves UW Hospital and east side via Williamson Street | Johnson, University, Linden, Observatory, and Highland Avenue |
| Route 65 | Serves UW Hospital, UW campus, and south side via John Nolen Drive | Johnson, University, Linden, Observatory, and Highland Avenue |
Interested in commuting by bus?
Project planners designed the new transit system to increase the frequency of buses, decrease travel times, and improve the overall experience of riding the bus. When the new system launches, commuting by bus may become easier and more accessible for some UW community members.
UW employees are eligible to purchase low-cost bus passes from UW Transportation Services. To get around by bus during the summer, bus passes for the 2022-23 year are prorated and available for purchase with NetID login credentials at the eBusiness purchasing portal.
Employee bus passes for the 2023-24 year will be available August 1. More information is forthcoming.
Learn more about the employee bus pass program.
UW-Madison students may obtain a student bus pass through ASM.
Get help planning your route
Need help planning your route? Or want a second pair of eyes on your trip plan? UW employees and students may complete a custom route planning form to receive personalized commute assistance from Transportation Services.