Enjoy unlimited rides.
University of Wisconsin–Madison students can enjoy unlimited Madison Metro Transit bus rides with a subsidized pass funded by segregated fees.
Who is eligible?
To qualify, you must pay student transportation segregated fees and be registered for classes in the current or upcoming semester at UW–Madison.
Questions? Send an email to studentbuspass@fpm.wisc.edu.
How to Order
1. Order your bus pass
Students must order online through Transportation Services.
- Log in with your NetID.
- Go to the permits dropdown and select Get Permits.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. At step 3, look for “Bus Passes” and choose the student bus pass.
- You’ll see an order confirmation page when finished.
Graduate students: Does the student bus pass not appear in the online order form? Please read this important message about ordering bus passes online.
2. Pick up your bus pass
Your bus pass will be ready for pickup beginning at 11 a.m. the next business day after ordering:
Transportation Services
21 N. Park Street, Suite 1200
Monday through Friday (except holidays and other office closures), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Only you may pick up your pass. Be sure to bring your valid Wiscard.
Note: Ogg Hall, Union South and StudentPrint (333 E. Campus Mall) are no longer distribution sites.
3. How to use your bus pass
Your pass is valid upon pickup for use on all Madison Metro Transit buses, including BRT routes and paratransit vehicles. (Note: Campus routes 80, 81, 82, and 84 are free and don’t require a pass.)
Simply tap your card to the fare reader when boarding a bus.
Program Updates
January 2025:
The pickup deadline for passes ordered in fall 2024 has been extended to January 31, 2025.
September 2024:
Graduate students with work appointments (such as a teaching, research, or project assistantship) should not purchase the $48 employee bus pass. If you are unable to order the no-cost pass, email studentbuspass@fpm.wisc.edu.
Please avoid placing orders between 1 and 5 a.m., as our system performs nightly updates during this time.
Student Bus Pass FAQ
Do I need to order a new pass each semester? No: you can keep and use your bus pass for as long as you’re an eligible student.
Can I replace a lost pass? Yes: you may purchase a replacement pass for $25 at 21 N. Park Street, Suite 1200 during open office hours.
Withdrawing from classes? You may use your bus pass until the first day of classes of the semester following withdrawal. For fall withdrawals, this date is in mid- to late January. For spring and summer withdrawals, this date is in early September.
Graduating? You can use the pass until the first day of classes of the semester following graduation. For December graduates, this date is in mid- to late January. For May graduates, this date is in early September.
Please return your pass to Transportation Services when the pass expires after you graduate, withdraw, or permanently leave the university (or when you no longer need the pass—whichever comes first).