Employee bus passes are a low-cost option to get to and from campus with unlimited rides on Madison Metro Transit buses.
Get a bus pass
Online orders can take up to two (2) weeks to arrive through the mail.
Bus passes are also available to purchase (with valid photo ID) at a Transportation Services office location.
Passes are durable tap-fare cards that you order once and renew annually.
How-to guides
Payment and cost
- Bus passes cost $48 for a full year (Sept. 1–Aug. 31). Passes are prorated after September 1 of their effective year. Affiliate prices may vary; check with your employer.
- Payment options include payroll deduction, credit/debit card, and check or cash (in-person purchases only).
- UW Health pays the full cost of bus passes for UW Health and UW Medical Foundation employees.
- Note: UW School of Medicine and Public Health employees are typically considered university employees and UW Health does not cover the pass cost.
Employee bus pass eligibility
Eligible employees must be located on the UW-Madison campus or University Hospital and have an active employment appointment.
Employees cannot obtain their bus pass before their first day of employment.
If you have questions about your eligibility, contact Transportation Services customer service.
- UW-Madison faculty and staff (including LTEs)
- UW Health Hospitals and Clinics employees
- UW Medical Foundation employees
- UW-Madison emeriti
- UW Colleges employees and emeriti
- UW System employees and emeriti
- UW Extension employees and emeriti
Note: affiliate prices may vary. Inquire with your employer.
- UW Foundation
- Wisconsin Historical Society
- WARF/WICell
- WI Crop Improvement Association
- Morgridge Institute for Research (MIR)
- UW student employees (students are eligible for ASM student bus passes)
- Retired persons without emeriti status
Bus pass renewals
Passes are durable tap-fare cards that you order once and renew annually.
University employees
Your pass must be renewed annually between Aug. 1–31.
Renewed passes remain valid through Aug. 31 of the following year.
UW Health employees
Your pass renews automatically.
No action is needed to continue using your pass.
Did you miss the
renewal window?
How to use a bus pass
Keep both the bus pass and your UW Wiscard, UW affiliate ID or UW Hospital ID with you when you board the bus.
Tap your card to the fare reader when boarding. The bus driver may request to see your ID.
Regulations
Bus passes are non-transferable: only the person assigned the bus pass may use it. Passes are subject to confiscation if misused. Bus pass use and replacement activity are monitored for fraud. Bus pass privileges will be revoked for customers found in violation of the bus pass policy.
Related resources
Replace a lost or stolen bus pass
Replacement passes are available for a $25 fee at Transportation Services customer service. A valid photo ID is required for purchase. Cash, check and credit card are accepted. Replacement bus passes are not available online.
If your bus pass is stolen, bring a copy of the police report for our records.
Note: Defective bus passes or bus passes that no longer work due to normal wear and tear will be replaced free of charge.
Related resources
Leaving employment
Leaving your position? Bus passes must be returned to UW Transportation Services if your employment appointment with the UW (or authorized affiliate) is ended. Refunds or payroll deduction cancellations will not be processed until the pass and the completed cancellation form (PDF) are returned to one of the Transportation Services offices. Payroll deductions are not eligible for refund. Employees must request (prorated) refunds, if eligible, within 14 calendar days of the end of their appointment.
Bus passes not returned will be canceled and become invalid.