Flexible solutions for campus travel needs
Active commuting is more than just travel—it’s a chance to explore the hidden gems and unique features of UW-Madison. Modes such as walking/rolling, bicycling, or riding the bus are healthy choices that also support campus stewardship and sustainability.
We support UW’s sustainability goals with programs that make it easy to choose active commuting or alternative parking to get here.
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What is active transportation?
Active transportation includes human-powered and low-speed assisted travel modes. This includes travel to and from transit stops.
Examples:
- Bicycling
- Walking/rolling
- Riding the bus
- Electric bikes and scooters
What is alternative parking?
Alternative parking options reduce single-occupancy vehicles on campus. This often includes active transportation for part of the trip.
Examples:
- Park & ride with shuttle service
- Commuter parking
- Carpooling or vanpooling
Our programs make active commuting easier.
Employee and student bus passes
Low or no-cost passes are available to students and employees for unlimited rides on Madison Metro Transit buses, BRT routes and paratransit.
Bicycling
Learn about bicycle parking options, maps, bikesharing, and the University Bicycle Resource Center.
Fare-free campus bus
Hop on! Frequent arrivals make it easy to get around during the day for meetings or classes across campus. No fare or bus pass required.
Emergency Ride Home (ERH)
You won’t get stranded with ERH. Eligible employees can request a free cab ride home in case of emergencies.
Park & ride / remote lots with shuttle service
Park in a secure off-campus lot and enjoy a shuttle, Metro Transit or other mode the rest of the way to campus.
Commuter parking at Eagle Heights
Park in designated commuter zones on the northwest edge of campus and take a quick bus ride to main campus.
Carpooling
Reduce single-occupancy vehicles and parking fees by splitting permit costs. The UW Carpool program has additional incentives for carpools.
Vanpooling
Get a group together and work with Commute with Enterprise to lease a shared passenger van.
Not sure where to start?
Here are some questions to help you discover if one (or more!) active travel or alternative parking options could work for you.
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How far do you need to travel?
If you live close to campus
For some, walking/rolling, riding a bicycle or taking the bus could be less stressful than driving a car through rush hour traffic and searching for a parking spot.
If you live further away
UW has park & ride and remote lots so you can park off campus and take a free shuttle or Metro Transit bus the rest of the way.
Employees with much longer commutes may consider carpooling or vanpooling to reduce transportation costs and vehicle wear-and-tear.
Do you have access to a bus stop?
Madison Metro Transit is a safe and cost-effective way to travel to campus.
Services such as the East-West BRT route, tap-fare cards and more frequent arrivals on local routes make riding the bus more efficient.
Many Metro Transit routes serve campus either directly or via transfer.
UW employees can get a bus pass at a reduced price of $48 / year. Bus passes for students and UW Health employees passes are completely subsidized.
What time do you need to be on campus?
Depending on when you need to be here, different transportation and parking options are available.
Weekdays (standard business hours)
It can be easier to use active transportation or alternative parking during standard weekday business hours. More comprehensive commuter services are available when campus is busiest, such as:
- Frequent Metro Transit bus service
- Park & ride / remote lots with shuttle service
- Commuter parking at Eagle Heights
After hours (evenings, nights and weekends)
Campus traffic decreases in the evenings and on weekends (unless there’s a big special event, like a UW Badgers game). This opens up more parking options, such as:
- Afternoon and night parking permits
- Parking permit exemptions (free parking). Many surface lots do not require a permit on weekends (all day Saturday and Sunday) and on weekdays between 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless there are closures due to construction or special events.
How much are you willing to spend on transportation and parking?
The cost of parking on campus is driven by high demand, and that doesn’t include fuel costs or vehicle wear-and-tear. Active modes and alternative parking options can cost less than parking on campus during the day. Low or (no) cost options include:
- Employee and student bus passes
- Park & ride and remote lots with shuttle service
- Carpooling (commuters split the cost of a permit)
- Vanpooling (commuters split van rental and permit costs)
Do you need accommodations?
On-campus accessible parking permits and spaces are always available and prioritized.
Accessible alternative parking and transportation options are also offered.
Active commuting is a good idea all around.
Active commuting is not just a win-win for the environment and your health.
Unique travel conditions at UW–Madison can make other options more reliable than driving a personal vehicle to campus.
Practical
Heavy, complex traffic makes driving in the campus area challenging. With other modes, you can avoid traffic or let someone else (like a bus driver) handle it.
Reliable
Permits for parking on campus are in high demand and not guaranteed to everyone who wants one, making other options more immediately reliable.
Affordable
Active modes and alternative parking are often more affordable than the cost of parking on campus.
Questions? We can talk you through it.
We can work with you to create custom travel plans to fit your circumstances.
Consultations are available in-person or via email, phone or virtual meeting.
This is a free service for all UW-Madison students, faculty and staff.
