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.
Jump to:
Please note this page will be updated as new information becomes available.
Last update: 8/02/22
Transportation
- Bus service
- Campus accessible shuttle
- Biking
- Pedestrians and SAFEwalk
- Fleet Services
- Carpool and Vanpool
Madison Metro Transit bus capacity limits ended June 2, 2021. Masks are optional on service routes, paratransit vehicles, campus bus routes 80, 81, 82 and 84, and the UW accessible circulator and park & ride shuttles, as of April 18, 2022.
2022-23 (Sept. 1, 2022 – Aug. 31, 2023) employee bus passes became available for purchase August 1, 2022. Eligible students can obtain a student bus passes through the Associated Student of Madison (ASM).
2021-22 (Sept. 1, 2021 – Aug. 31, 2022) employee bus passes are available at a prorated cost for summer 2022 through the eBusiness purchasing portal.
Metro Transit is undergoing a bus network redesign to create a route system better adapted to meet the needs of Madison area residents and businesses. The projected timeline for implementation is 2023. Stay up to date on the redesign process and learn about you can provide feedback on the Metro Transit Network Redesign webpage.
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).
Campus bus summer break (“recess”) service started May 14, 2022. Reminder: No campus buses operate on legal holidays.
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
Spring semester 2022 shuttle service ran January 25 through May 13, 2022.
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.
The University Bicycle Resource Center (UBRC) is open for visitors and events. Many DIY “air and repair” stations (map PDF) are also open.
The UBRC hosts free bicycle class throughout the academic year. Check out the class line-up on 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.
SAFEwalk is a free nighttime walking companion service available to all UW students, employees, and visitors. You can arrange a walk by calling or texting (608) 262-5000.
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 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.
2021-22 parking year (Sept. 1, 2022 – Aug. 31, 2022)
For the remainder of summer 2022, remaining available parking permits and passes can be purchased at a prorated cost in the ebusiness purchasing portal.
2022-23 parking year (Sept. 1, 2022 – Aug. 31, 2023)
UW and UW affiliate employees should consider what type of parking permit or pass best fits their needs.
Certain permit types (annual base lot, Flex, park and ride, and UW Disabled) require an application. Parking applications are accepted throughout the academic year and offers are processed approximately every two weeks. Employee bus passes and permits such as afternoon, night, moped, and motorcycle permits are available to purchase directly (online in the eBusiness portal or at an office) starting August 1, 2022.
Some types of parking permits are available at a reduced cost to certain employees and graduate/professional students; see the “Reduced and low-cost parking options” section below.
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
UW-Madison campus administration has collaborated with Transportation Services to expand parking options for graduate and professional students and lower-paid employees.
Parking options include 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:
- UW employees and UW Hospital and Clinics employees with a gross hourly pay rate less $18.35 per hour.
- Most UW–Madison graduate and professional students with a gross biweekly pay rate less than $1468.
Learn more about these options, including prices and purchasing details, on the reduced and low-cost permit webpage.
Park and ride
There is one off-campus park and ride location managed by UW Transportation Services: Lot 202 (Wingra and Park). Shuttle service connects campus and this lot. The Lot 203 (University Crossing) park and ride relocation will close in fall 2022. Learn more about our park and ride options.
Flexible Parking Options
Circumstances may change, but we’re here to help. We understand the need for flexibility as employees figure out their best commuting options for the academic year.
The campus parking situation is constantly reviewed to see if it is matching the UW community need. Many UW and UW affiliate employees are or have been at least partially telecommuting for some period of time of the last couple of years, and hybrid work situations may be more common going forward. 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.
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Exchanging a permit in the 2022-23 parking year
There are two ways to exchange 2022-23 parking year (starts Sept. 1, 2022) permits, depending on the type of permit you want.
- Apply again for different lot or permit type. If you receive an offer, you can exchange your permit.
- Purchase a different permit or pass directly in the eBusiness purchasing portal. Return the permit you do not want. (Note: you cannot hold two annual permits at one time. Annual permit types include base lot, Flex, and park and ride permits.)
Learn more about permit exchanges and permit cancellation.
When applying again for a different permit, please note:
- Employees who do not have parking are prioritized over those who already have a parking permit.
- We cannot 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.
For additional questions about exchanging 2022-23 permits and passes, contact customer service.
The Flex parking program is a pay-per-use permit ideal for those who primarily use alternative modes to commute to campus, or who only need to park on campus infrequently. 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 multi-day parking pass was created to assist employees without a parking permit who need to park occasionally and want a guaranteed space. This is a pilot program first started in the 2020-21 parking year. The program is ending as of August 31, 2022.
2021-22 multi-day pass
Minimum purchase amount is 5 uses ($40). Additional uses can be purchased at the cost of $8 per day. The 2021-22 multi-day pass is “reloadable”–additional value can be added without purchasing a new pass.
The pass can be used in any of the following public visitor parking facilities: Lot 6, 7, 17, 20, 29, 36, 46, 67, 76, 80, and 83.
Multi-day passes are available to purchase in the eBusiness purchasing portal. This pass is valid August 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022.
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.
Other topics of interest
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
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. 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, 2020.
2019-20 product refunds
A refund was processed 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!