8/10/24

Your Ultimate Guide to Getting Around UW-Madison: A Deep Dive into Campus Transportation

Hey there, future Badger! Or maybe you're already on campus & just trying to figure out the best way to get from your dorm to that 8 a.m. lecture without breaking a sweat (or the bank). Honestly, navigating a campus as big as the University of Wisconsin-Madison can feel like a whole course in itself. But here's the thing: it's actually SUPER easy once you get the hang of it.
Madison is an incredible city, but let's be real, it's built on a narrow isthmus between two lakes. This means space is at a premium, & that's especially true when it comes to parking. We'll get into the nitty-gritty of why bringing a car to campus can be a bit of a headache later, but trust me when I say that UW-Madison & the city have put a TON of effort into making it easy to live a car-free or "car-light" life.
This guide is your new best friend for all things transportation at UW-Madison. We're going to cover everything from the free campus buses that are your lifeline, to the city-wide system that opens up all of Madison, to late-night safety options & even how to take advantage of Madison's top-tier bike-friendliness. By the end of this, you'll be navigating campus like a pro.

The Heart of Campus Mobility: Your Guide to the Bus System

The bus system at UW-Madison is, without a doubt, the most popular, convenient, & cost-effective way to get around. It's a two-part system that works together seamlessly: the fare-free campus routes & the broader Madison Metro Transit network.

The Famous Fare-Free Campus Buses (Routes 80, 81, 82, & 84)

Let's start with the absolute MVP of campus life: the 80-series buses. These routes—80, 81, 82, & 84—are the arteries of campus, connecting key areas like the central campus, Eagle Heights student housing, and nearby neighborhoods. The best part? They are COMPLETELY free to ride for everyone. Students, faculty, staff, visitors, your grandma who's in town for the weekend... anyone can hop on & off these routes without a pass or a fare.
  • Route 80: This is the big one, the main artery. During peak hours, it runs as often as every five minutes, which is pretty incredible. It's your go-to for getting across the main stretches of campus quickly.
  • Routes 81, 82, & 84: These routes supplement the 80, covering areas like Eagle Heights, and running daily with late-night & weekend service. This means you're covered whether you have a late lab or are heading back from a weekend study session at the library.
All these buses are accessible, equipped with kneeling capabilities & space for wheelchairs or other mobility devices. It’s a system designed to be used by everyone.

Expanding Your Horizons with the ASM Student Bus Pass

While the 80-series buses are fantastic for getting around campus, what if you want to explore further, get to a part-time job off-campus, or just visit a different part of Madison? That's where the Associated Students of Madison (ASM) Student Bus Pass comes in.
This pass is your golden ticket to the entire Madison Metro Transit system. Here's how it works:
  • Eligibility: If you're an enrolled UW-Madison student registered for classes & you've paid your segregated fees (which are part of your tuition), you're eligible. A portion of those fees, about $51 per semester, goes directly to funding transportation services, which is what makes this program possible.
  • Cost: The pass itself doesn't cost you anything extra at the time of pickup! Your segregated fees cover it, giving you unlimited rides on all Madison Metro buses, including the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes & paratransit services.
  • The New Tap-to-Pay System: Gone are the days of getting a new paper pass every semester. Starting in Fall 2024, UW-Madison has rolled out a new system with reusable tap-fare cards. You'll order your pass online through the UW Transportation Services website, & then pick it up at a designated location like Union South. This card will last for your entire time as an eligible student at UW, which is SO much more convenient.
  • How to Use It: Simply tap your card on the fare reader when you board any Madison Metro bus. It's that easy. For the fare-free campus routes (80-84), you don't even need to show or tap your pass.
This program is a HUGE deal. Depending on the weather, anywhere from 30% to 60% of UW-Madison students ride a Metro Transit bus, a testament to how vital & successful this program is.

Beyond the Bus: Your Other Awesome Transportation Options

While the bus system is the star of the show, it's not the only option. UW-Madison & the surrounding city offer a bunch of other ways to get around, catering to different needs & times of day.

Staying Safe at Night: The SAFEwalk Program

Let's face it, as a student, you're going to have late nights. Whether it's a marathon study session at College Library, a late shift at your campus job, or just hanging out with friends, you need to be able to get home safely. That's where SAFEwalk comes in, & it's a fantastic service.
Run by UW-Madison Transportation Services, SAFEwalk is a free walking companionship service for all students, faculty, staff, & even visitors. Here are the key things you need to know:
  • How it Works: You can call or text 608-262-5000 to request a walk. A team of two student employees, wearing bright, easily identifiable clothing, will meet you & walk with you to your destination on campus or in near-campus locations.
  • Hours of Operation: The service runs in the evenings, though the exact hours change with the seasons. From October 1st to March 31st, it's 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., & from April 1st to September 30th, it's 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
  • Service Area: They cover the main campus area, which is perfect for most student needs. It's important to note that the service doesn't extend to the far west campus, like the UW Hospital or Eagle Heights.
  • Other Safety Tools: SAFEwalk is part of a broader campus safety ecosystem. UWPD has an app called BadgerSAFE which includes a "Friend Walk" feature, allowing you to share your location with a friend who can virtually walk with you. The campus also features "The Lightway," a network of well-lit paths with emergency phones that connect directly to UWPD.
Honestly, using SAFEwalk is a super smart choice. The walkers are trained & in radio contact with their dispatcher, so it's a reliable & safe way to get home when you're feeling uneasy about walking alone.

Embracing the Bike Life in a Platinum-Level City

Madison is consistently ranked as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the nation, & UW-Madison itself is a Platinum-level Bike Friendly University. With more bike parking on campus than car parking, it's clear that biking is a huge part of the culture here.
  • Madison BCycle: This is the city's official bike-sharing program, & it's pretty slick. They have a fleet of over 500 electric-assist bikes at 90 stations all over the Madison area, including many on campus. The "e-bike" part is key – it makes tackling hills (like Bascom Hill's less-intense cousins) a breeze. UW students & employees get a discounted membership, which gives you an unlimited number of trips of 90 minutes or less. You just use the BCycle app to find a station & check out a bike.
  • The Red Bike Program: This is a super cool, long-term rental program run by Budget Bicycle Center. Here's the deal: you put down a deposit, & you get a bike & a lock for the long term. When you return them, you get your deposit back, making the rental essentially FREE. They even service the bikes for free over the summer.
  • Bringing Your Own Bike: If you have your own bike, that's great too! Be sure to register it with the university & always use a good quality U-lock. There are bike lockers & cages available for rent in some locations, though they are in high demand.
  • Local Bike Shops: If you need a tune-up, a new lock, or just some friendly advice, Madison has a ton of great local bike shops like Budget Bicycle Center, which has multiple locations near campus. They offer everything from daily rentals to repairs.

Accessibility is a Priority

UW-Madison is committed to making campus accessible for everyone. Beyond the fact that all Madison Metro buses are equipped for mobility devices, the university offers a dedicated service for those who need it.
  • The Accessible Circulator Shuttle: This is a FREE shuttle service for students, employees, & visitors with mobility disabilities or issues, whether they are permanent or temporary. It provides on-call & pre-scheduled rides between campus buildings. You don't need to pre-register for the service, you just call or email to schedule a ride at least an hour in advance. The shuttle runs Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., during the fall & spring semesters.
  • Paratransit Services: For those who are unable to use the fixed-route bus system, Madison Metro offers paratransit services, & your student bus pass covers this as well.
  • Accessible Parking: For those who need it, temporary accessible parking permits can be purchased from Transportation Services with a doctor's note.
It's clear that a lot of thought has been put into making sure that getting around campus is a manageable and equitable experience for everyone. If you have any concerns about winter weather creating barriers at bus stops, the university encourages you to contact Facilities Planning & Management to report issues.

The Elephant on the Isthmus: Parking on Campus

Okay, let's talk about cars. If you're an incoming freshman living in the dorms, the university has a pretty straightforward policy: you're generally not eligible for a parking permit. And honestly, that's a good thing. Parking on and around campus is notoriously difficult & expensive. The lots are limited, the waiting lists can be long, & the permits aren't cheap.
Even for upperclassmen or those living off-campus, finding a reliable parking spot can be a daily struggle. Street parking is often time-limited or requires a residential permit, which can be hard to come by. This is where you have to get a little creative.
For students who absolutely need a car for a job or other essential travel, the options can feel limited. This is where thinking outside the box can really pay off. Sometimes, the most convenient & affordable parking isn't in a massive university garage, but in a private driveway or garage just a short walk away. This is where a service like Prked can be a game-changer. Prked connects people who have unused parking spaces—like a driveway or a private garage—with drivers who need a place to park. It's a peer-to-peer solution that can help you find a consistent, affordable spot without the hassle of university lot waitlists or the daily grind of searching for street parking. It's a modern solution to a classic campus problem.

Expanding Your Reach: Getting Out of Madison

Your transportation needs might not end at the Madison city limits. For weekend trips home, travel to other cities, or getting to the airport, there are great options that don't require a car.
  • Badger Bus: This is a student favorite for a reason. Badger Bus offers reliable routes connecting Madison to key destinations like Milwaukee (including the airport), the Twin Cities, & other spots in Wisconsin.
  • Jefferson Lines: Another great option, Jefferson Lines provides bus service to 14 states, connecting you to thousands of destinations across the country.

Tying It All Together: Your Car-Free Campus Life

So, there you have it. The complete guide to getting around the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It might seem like a lot, but it boils down to this: the university & the city have created a robust, interconnected system that makes it not just possible, but EASY to thrive without a car.
Between the free campus buses, the unlimited-ride city bus pass, the SAFEwalk program for late nights, & the incredible bike infrastructure, you are completely covered. For those rare occasions when you might need a car, or if you're a commuter struggling with parking, modern solutions like Prked can fill in the gaps beautifully.
I hope this was helpful in demystifying the world of UW-Madison transportation. Embrace the bus, enjoy a bike ride along the lake, & take advantage of all the great services available to you. Let me know what you think, & On, Wisconsin
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