Campus Bus
UW campus bus routes are fare-free for students, faculty, employees, and visitors.
Routes 80, 81, 82, and 84 operate daily, including late nights, weekends, and UW recess.
Campus buses serve central campus, Eagle Heights, and neighborhoods near campus. Service beyond campus is provided by Metro Transit city routes.
All buses are kneeling buses and are capable of transporting wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.
Complete schedules for campus bus routes are at mymetrobus.com:
Go to the interactive campus map to a find bus stop:
- Stand behind stand behind the yellow line at the front of the bus.
- Save front seats for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
- Disembark at the rear exit whenever possible.
- More rider rules at mymetrobus.com.
In summer 2023, solar panels were installed at 20 campus bus shelters to power real-time bus trackers and lights. The trackers provide live arrival times for:
- Campus buses
- Metro Transit city buses
- Park and ride shuttles
The bus trackers also link to other campus transportation resources, such as SAFEwalk and bus pass information, to help you complete your journey.
Emergency messaging will be displayed if service is disrupted due to inclement weather or other emergencies.
About. The solar bus shelters are the result of a collaboration facilitated by the Green Fund between Transportation Services, the student organizations: Helios and Enactus, and faculty from the Engineering Department. Additional bus shelters will be outfitted with solar powered bus trackers and lights by late 2024. Learn more about the project
Madison Metro Transit
- Metro Transit Overview
- Metro Stops and Schedules
- Route Planning & Tracking
- Detours
- Material Transport
Madison Metro Transit routes serve the city of Madison and nearby areas, including Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona, and Sun Prairie. Several routes travel through or nearby campus.
All buses are kneeling buses and are capable of transporting wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.
With an employee or student bus pass, riding the bus is a low-cost and sustainable commute option.
Multi-modal and active commutes. Metro Transit can complement multi-modal commutes where you combine other transportation modes such as biking, walking, carpooling, and/or vanpooling in one trip. Learn more about multi-modal and active commute options and how to use bike racks on Metro buses.
- Search for Metro Transit routes and schedules on Metro’s online ride guide.
- Download the Routes and Schedules booklet (PDF). Or, pick up a printed copy on a Metro Transit bus.
- Call Madison Metro Transit at (608) 266-4466 or email mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com.
Route Planning
- For an overview of the full Metro bus system, go to Metro’s system map.
- Plan a trip in real time: enter your location and destination into Google Maps.
- Contact our Commuter Solutions team for custom route planning assistance.
Bus Tracking
UW Transportation Services recommends these third-party apps to plan routes and track real-time bus arrival information. All are available in Google Play for Android Devices, and App Store for Apple devices. (Please note: Transportation Services does not provide support for recommended apps.)
- Google Maps
- Moovit
- Transit
Bus routes may detour, and stops may be temporarily relocated, due to construction, special events, and other factors. For up-to-date Metro detours, go to the detours page.
The research and medical functions of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the UW Hospital require occasional material transport across campus. Madison Metro restricts, and may deny, the transport of any item on its buses. Materials Metro generally restricts includes, but is not limited to: flammable liquids; dangerous, toxic or poisonous substances; storage batteries; vessels containing caustic materials, chemicals, acids or alkalis; fishing rods which are not broken down or have unsecured or exposed hooks or lures; ski poles unless secured to skis or have tip covers; sheet glass and sharp objects. Metro may also deny transport of any other item the driver perceives as hazardous. To reduce the likelihood of UW research materials that are not infectious or do not otherwise present a safety threat being rejected for transport on Metro buses, Transportation Services has implemented the Metro bus material transport policy.
Please use the Metro Bus Material Transport Label (PDF) when transporting such materials.
Madison Metro Paratransit
Madison Metro paratransit is a shared-ride service that uses a variety of companies and vehicles to respond to individual ride requests.
Employee and student bus passes can be used for regular and paratransit Metro service.
This Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit service is for individuals with disabilities who cannot use Metro’s accessible fixed-route bus service. The paratransit service area, hours, and days of service closely match fixed-route schedules. Learn more at Madison Metro’s website:
Learn more about options for accessible campus access.
Accessible Circulator Shuttle
The Accessible Circulator Shuttle provides on-call and pre-scheduled service between campus buildings for UW employees, students, and visitors with mobility disabilities, whether temporary or permanent. Rides are available on a pre-scheduled and on-call basis. There is no fixed shuttle route or an hourly schedule.
For pickup, call (608) 890-1352 or email uwshuttle@goriteway.com
For details go to the Accessible Circulator Shuttle page.
UW Health Shuttle
UWHC provides shuttle service to UW Hospital (Clinical Science Center) from parking lots in the west campus area. Learn more at the SMPH intranet site:
Monona Express
Monona Express is a contracted commuter service which makes four loops each morning and afternoon to take riders to downtown Madison, UW Campus, and UW, VA, Meriter, and St. Mary’s Hospitals. Learn more at the City of Monona website:
Campus bus and accessible transportation study
In 2018 and 2013, transportation consultants completed studies of the UW-Madison on-campus accessible transportation and campus bus services.
Transportation Services will reference the recommendations and may use for future implementation, as appropriate.