The university is committed to reducing the risk of COVID-19 for its students, faculty, and staff. To safeguard the health of the community, the university will modify many of its operations based on public health guidance. UW COVID-19 Response site
This page is a “hub” for information on the current and expected future state of UW-Madison transportation and parking operations. All operations will comply with university, local, state, and federal public health guidance.
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Transportation
Parking
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Please note this page will be updated as new information becomes available.
Last update: 12/18/20
Transportation
- Bus service
- Campus accessible shuttle
- Biking
- Pedestrians and SAFEwalk
- Fleet Services
- Carpool and Vanpool
Madison Metro Transit has reduced operations and certain service restrictions. Some service restrictions include:
- Rider capacity limits – 20 passenger maximum as of 7/13/20
- Passengers are required to wear a face mask; it is strongly recommended to keep physical distancing of six feet between passengers
Find full, up-to-date details on the Metro COVID-19 service updates web page.
2020-21 (Sept. 1, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2021) employee bus passes are available for online purchase in the eBusiness purchasing portal as of August 1, 2020. Eligible students can obtain a student bus passes through the Associated Student of Madison (ASM).
Campus service (Routes 80, 81, 82, 84)
- Campus bus service (Routes 80, 81, 82, 84) is run through a partnership with Madison Metro Transit. All campus routes are fare-free.
- Metro’s service guidelines are in place for campus service (ex. face mask requirement).
Fall semester campus bus service ran full service August 23 and through November 25, with some pre-planned route and schedule changes* (see below). Campus bus routes run recess service (Route 80 and 84 only) November 27, 2020 until January 24, 2021. (Reminder: no campus buses operate on legal holidays.) Trailer bus vehicles will not run during recess service, but all other public health safety measures will be in place:
- Face masks must be worn while riding (reasonable accommodations may be made for those unable to do this for medical reasons). Drivers will be separated by a plexiglass shield and will wear a mask.
- Rider capacity limits will be in place per Metro standards. Route 80 and 84 will have “trailer buses” (yellow school buses) following behind them for people to use once the Metro bus has reached capacity. The trailer buses will be signed to show which route they are serving. There will also be capacity limits in place for the trailer buses.
- Buses will be wiped down and cleaned with anti-viral spray every night.
*Campus route service changes were finalized in April 2020 and are in effect August 23, 2020. Daytime service (Route 80, 84) was changed to better accommodate demand and late night service (Routes 81, 82) was adapted to better serve off-campus student housing areas. Check out the new UW Campus – Transit Ride Guide (PDF) for route details.
The accessible circulator shuttle provides supplemental service to the campus bus for those with specific mobility needs. Shuttles serve campus locations Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 7:30 p.m. during fall and spring UW class sessions and exam periods. Learn more about the accessible circulator shuttle
Service started September 2, 2020 for the 2020-21 academic year. Fall semester service ended November 26. Spring semester service starts January 25, 2021.
Public health safety measures on accessible shuttles include:
- Face masks must be worn while riding*. Drivers will wear a mask.
- Shuttles will be wiped down and cleaned with anti-viral spray every night.
* Reasonable accommodations may be made for those unable to do this for medical reasons.
Biking continues to be an excellent commuting option! Madison has a thriving bike scene and UW-Madison was upgraded to a Platinum-level Bike Friendly University in Fall 2019. There are over 15,000 bike parking stalls on campus. Be sure to check out our bicycling page for details on bike safety, bike parking, and other resources.
Although the University Bicycle Resource Center (UBRC) is closed, all DIY “air and repair” stations (map PDF) are open. The UBRC will be closed and will not host in-person classes during the fall or spring semester, although there are virtual programming options. Learn about virtual class options (including recordings of past classes) at the bottom of the University Bicycle Resource Center page.
Don’t have your own bike? Learn more about local bike sharing options, including a discounted partner membership with Madison BCycle. Find BCycle stations in various places around campus and across Madison.
Walking or other pedestrian movement is the most common way to travel to, from, and around campus. Physical distancing of at least six feet (1.8 meters) is recommended wherever possible. Reminder: Face coverings are required when in outdoors spaces on campus (campus face covering policy PDF). Reasonable accommodations may be made for those unable to do this for medical reasons.
SAFEwalk–a nighttime walking companion service–resumed August 23, 2020. There was an operational pause September 10-25, with service returning on the evening of September 26. SAFEwalk will be closed December 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021, with service returning the evening of January 11.
You can arrange a walk by calling or texting (608) 262-5000. The following safety measures will be in place when service restarts:
- All walkers – the requester and both SAFEwalk staff – are required to wear face masks at all times, regardless if indoors or outdoors. SAFEwalkers may refuse service to anyone who refuses to wear a mask unless the client has a stated medical condition that precludes wearing a mask.
- Individuals will walk with physical distancing (6 feet, 1.8 meters) between group members wherever possible.
Updates to safety measures will be shared when available.
Reservations with a start date on or after August 17, 2020 will be allowed using the reservation portal. Note: Certain travel restrictions were extended, including out-of-state travel.
Face masks must be worn inside university owned vehicles if there is more than one passenger. See Public Health Protocols for Reopening (PDF) for more information.
Routine cleaning and disinfection procedures used for all vehicles and associated items (keys/key fobs).
UW Transportation Services does not organize carpool or vanpool services, although we offer incentives to registered carpool groups and partner with the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) vanpool program.
Those who commute by carpool or vanpool should operate to the best of their discretion and consider following public health department recommendations (CDC guidance), such as regularly disinfecting surfaces, adhering to physical distancing where possible, and regular use of face masks. The DOA vanpool program may implement their own safety protocols.
Explore our carpool webpage and vanpool webpage for more information about these shared commute programs.
Parking
On-campus parking
From March 17 through August 31, 2020, parking permits were not required in the majority of campus parking lots, with some exceptions. Regular enforcement resumed September 1, 2020.
Campus parking enforcement has resumed for all of campus. To park in a campus lot you need a 2020-21 UW parking permit, parking pass, or you must use a visitor parking option.
UW and UW affiliate employees who need 2020-21 parking (Sept. 1, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2021) should consider what type of parking permit or pass best fits their needs. Certain permit types (annual base lot, Flex, and UW Disabled) may require an application or may be available to buy directly online (“buy it now”) — check permit availability. Parking applications are accepted throughout the academic year and offers are processed approximately every two weeks.
Certain parking lots may have evening or weekend availability for non-permit holders. See information on lot locations and hours of control
Students can purchase certain types of permits. See the student parking page and permit types and information page for more details.
Reduced and low-cost parking options
Given the current public health situation, UW-Madison campus administration has collaborated with Transportation Services to temporarily expand parking options for graduate and professional students and lower-paid employees. These groups include many public transportation users, some who may feel a bus commute is no longer their safest travel option to and from campus, despite safety protocols in place for Metro Transit and campus bus operations.
Parking options include new low-cost and reduced cost products valid in different parking lots across campus. Permit and pass availability will vary and may be limited.
The reduced and low-cost options will be available to:
- All UW-Madison graduate and professional students
- Employees with a UW salary less than $35,000 per year (in base wages)
Learn more by reading the full news announcement. More information about these parking options, including prices, descriptions, lot options, and purchasing details can be found in the reduced cost parking options chart (PDF).
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Building access from attached parking facilities
Access for campus buildings is restricted and parking attached to those buildings may be impacted. This list will be updated as information is available:
- Lot 29 (N. Park Street Garage) is open. Currently only the eastern stairwell and elevator are available. Building access is restricted.
- Lot 80 (Union South Garage) is open. The Union South building resumed restricted hours of operation on September 28.
- When the building is open, elevators will run between Lot 80 parking levels and Union South’s first floor. All stairwells are available.
- When the building is closed, no elevators are available. Two stairwells are open to foot traffic: one for the Dayton Street patio area and one for the Orchard Street Plaza area (near hotel entrance). Accessible parking is available in the circular drive off Dayton Street, between Union South and Computer Sciences.
- Lot 83 (Fluno Center Garage) is open. Elevator available to and from Level 1 vestibule area, where there is also a Frances Street pedestrian access point. Two stairwells available: one for Frances Street and one for Lake Street. Building access available via Level 1 vestibule area only for approved individuals.
Park and ride locations
There are two off-campus park and ride locations managed by UW Transportation Services: Lot 202 (Wingra and Park) and Lot 203 (University Crossing). Shuttle service connects campus and these lots. Learn more about our park and ride options
Park and ride shuttle service for the fall semester started Sept. 1, 2020. Public health safety measures for shuttle service include:
- Face masks must be worn while riding (reasonable accommodations may be made for those unable to do this for medical reasons). Drivers will also wear a mask.
- Shuttle size has increased slightly (new vehicles), but rider capacity limits will be in place. Seating is limited to window seats.
- There will be “trailer buses” (yellow school buses) following behind the shuttles for people to use once the shuttle has reached capacity. There will also be capacity limits in place for the trailer buses, which are not expected to be met. Seating is limited to window seats.
- Buses will be wiped down and cleaned with anti-viral spray every night.
More details on safety procedures for shuttle service will be shared when available.
Flexible Parking Options
Circumstances may be constantly changing, but we’re here to help. We understand the need for flexibility as employees figure out their best commuting options for the fall semester and the rest of the academic year.
The campus parking situation is constantly reviewed to see if it is matching the UW community need. With many UW and UW affiliate employees at least partially telecommuting for fall 2020 and spring 2021, Transportation Services has been working hard to adapt parking options.
Parking allotments have been shifted for many parking lots. Both new and existing parking options allow employees to choose what will work best for their circumstances.
The Flex parking program will be expanded by offering more permits for the 2020-21 year. Flex is “pay as you go” parking, there is no up-front or monthly permit cost.
You must apply in the permit application system (PAS) in order to be considered for a Flex permit. More information on the Flex parking program and How to apply for parking
A new multi-day parking pass was created to assist employees without a parking permit who need to park occasionally and want a guaranteed space. The prepaid pass costs $40 and is valid for 5 uses from Sept. 1, 2020 through Aug. 31, 2021. The pass can be used in any of the following public visitor parking facilities: Lot 6, 7, 17, 20, 29, 36, 46, 76, 80, and 83.
Multi-day passes will be available to purchase starting August 1, 2020 in the eBusiness purchasing portal. This is a pilot program; availability will be limited and may be subject to change. You are able to purchase more than one, but only one item may be purchased per transaction.
Find more information on the multi-day pass and all available permit types on the permit types and information page. The page also describes how to apply for and purchase the various types of parking permits.
Visitor temporary parking options ranging from hourly to monthly are available on a space-available basis. Learn more about all visitor parking options
Visitor parking is primarily available in gated parking facilities (garages and ramps). A live count of visitor parking in gated lots is displayed on the visitor parking availability page.
Choosing a parking permit
We understand your on-campus work situation may change throughout the semester.
For those who rarely need to commute to campus, a multi-day parking pass (prepaid pass with 5 uses) or using hourly visitor parking may be best.
If you do not have a 2020-21 permit and your situation changes so you need more regular parking:
- Review the permit options and either apply (if required) or purchase the permit type that works best for you.
- Parking offers are processed approximately every two weeks during the parking year (September 1 – August 31). Check upcoming offer dates and permit availability
If you do purchase a 2020-21 permit and your situation changes, you can:
- Apply again for a different permit type and/or parking lot.
- Please keep in mind employees who do not have parking are prioritized over those who possess a parking permit. While there isn’t a guarantee when you may get a permit offer after applying again, we will make efforts to allow easier transitions for those moving from a Flex to a base lot permit. Check upcoming offer dates and permit availability
- Return the permit. Charges apply for cancellations after September 1. Learn more about permit cancellations
Other topics of interest
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Customer service locations
UW Transportation Services WARF and 21 N. Park Street offices reopened August 24, 2020. New protocols for in-person customer service have been implemented and some “contactless” options are available. Please see our Contact Us page for virtual, phone, and in-person customer service hours of operation.
Citation fees and other payments
Citation appeals and fee payments were temporarily paused but are once again being collected. Fee escalation for late payments was started again September 29.
2019-20 product refunds
You will receive a refund if you had an “active” (not canceled or returned) 2019-20 parking permit, employee bus pass, or other transportation product as of March 23, 2020. The refund period is March 23 – August 31, 2020. Details about 2019-20 product refunds
Other commuting methods
Bus, bike, carpool, vanpool or by foot are great ways to get to campus. Using one of these methods also makes you eligible for the emergency ride home program–a free-to-you voucher for a taxi to take you home in case of emergency.
See the transportation section at the top of this page and check out the other resources on our website for more details.
Need help figuring out how to get to campus? Submit a custom route planning request form or email tdm@fpm.wisc.edu for assistance. Staff will reach out to help you find the best plan for your circumstances!