Employee Bus Passes

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Policy Number:
UW-6114
Old Policy Number:
TS-55
Responsible Office:
Transportation Services

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

UW-Madison Transportation Services offers faculty, staff, and employees of affiliated agencies a discounted annual bus pass. The annual employee bus pass is valid on all Madison Metro bus routes. Access to the regional bus system is an important part of the University’s Commuter Solutions program. 

Definitions:
Buss Pass Type Priority
Bus passes will be issued in the following priority order based on these definitions: 
  • UW Health/Hospital Pass: Individual has an eligible work appointment in any percentage with US Health. UW Health approves the eligibility of a work appointment. 
  • Student Bus Pass: Individual is registered for classes for academic credit at UW-Madison and has been assessed the student transportation segregated fee. 
  • UW Faculty/Staff Pass: Individual has an eligible work appointment with UW-Madison or the Universities of Wisconsin and works on the UW-Madison campus. 
  • Other UW Affiliate Pass: Individual has an eligible work appointment with an affiliate partner, including but not limited to UW Foundation and Alumni Association, Wisconsin State Historical Society, WARF, WiCell, or MIR. 
Scope:

Faculty and staff directly employed by UW-Madison, UW System employees who work on the UW-Madison campus, and employees of affiliated agencies, including: UW Health/Hospital/Medical Foundation, UW Foundation, WARF (Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation), WID (Wisconsin Institute for Discovery), MIR (Morgridge Institute for Research), and the Wisconsin State Historical Society.  

Policy:
  1. Use
    1. A valid annual bus pass must be used when boarding the bus. Passengers must present a valid Wiscard/UW Health ID or other authorized affiliate ID when asked.
    2. A replacement fee will be charged to replace a lost or stolen bus pass.
    3. Defective bus passes will be replaced at no cost.
    4. Bus passes for UW–Madison and UW Health, Hospital, and Foundation employees may be ordered online or purchased from any of the UW–Madison Transportation Services offices. Bus Passes ordered online will be mailed to the permit mailing address specified by the customer in their account. Other affiliated staff will pick up their bus pass from their respective organizations. 
  2. Restrictions
    1. An employee may only be issued one bus pass. If the employee holds a bus pass from a different bus pass type priority, they are ineligible for an employee bus pass. 
    2. The bus pass is for employee use only and may not be sold or transferred. The bus pass may be confiscated if misused.
    3. Invalid bus passes must be surrendered to the Metro operator upon discovery when boarding. The boarder will be allowed to ride the bus one time and must visit a UW–Madison Transportation Services customer service office to obtain a new valid pass if they qualify.
    4. Bus passes must be returned to UW–Madison Transportation Services if the employee’s appointment with the university or authorized affiliate is ended. Bus passes that are not returned will be canceled and will not be valid for use on Metro buses. Refunds will be prorated for returned and canceled bus passes. 
    5. If Transportation Services is notified that an employee is no longer employed at their agency, the bus pass will be administratively cancelled. Payroll deductions will be automatically stopped and bus passes paid in full will be automatically refunded to the original method of payment. Payroll deductions and payroll payments in process will not be refunded.
    6. Bus passes cannot be purchased prior to the first day of employment. 
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Assistant Vice Chancellor of UW-Madison Transportation Services
Policy Manager:
Director of Transportation Operations
Contact:
Assistant Director of Parking Services -- David Berland, david.berland@wisc.edu, (608) 263-6667
Effective Date:
02-01-2007
Revised Dates:

03-01-2008, 03-02-2008, 01-01-2011, 09-01-2015, 03-01-2018, 05-19-2022, 08-02-2023, 07-01-2025

Retrieved:
07-04-2025 01:50:54