This policy outlines the eligibility and restrictions associated with the student bus pass.
Definitions:
Student Bus Pass
A Madison Metro (Metro) pass (paid via student segregated fees) that is valid on all Madison Metro (“Metro”) bus routes that accept fares, including bus rapid transit routes as well as the Metro paratransit program.
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:
Registered UW-Madison students who pay the student segregated transportation fee.
Policy:
Eligibility
A student must be registered for classes for academic credit at UW Madison and be assessed the student transportation segregated fee to be issued a student bus pass.
Graduate students who delay payment of segregated fees need not have paid the fee to qualify if they have been assessed.
Students with dual appointments as students and employees will be considered students for bus pass eligibility if they meet the eligibility requirements outlined in this policy. If an individual with a dual appointment ceases to have qualifying student status their student bus pass will be administratively cancelled. They may request an employee bus pass as outlined in UW-6114 Employee Bus Passes.
Student bus passes must be requested through UW–Madison Transportation Services. Proof of identification must be presented when picking up a student bus pass.
Use
Student bus pass fare media (i.e. card) is reuseable and should be retained and reused by the student as long as they are attending the university. Student bus passes do not need to be reordered each semester and new passes do not need to be picked up if the student remains in ongoing registered status.
A valid student bus pass must be used when boarding the bus. Passengers must present a valid Wiscard for further identification if asked.
Defective student bus passes will be replaced at no cost.
UW-Madison Transportation Services does not share any non-aggregated data publicly for any reason. Any personally identifiable information requests would be directed to the UW-Madison Transportation Services' data steward and established data security processes and rules will be followed, including adherence to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Restrictions
The student bus pass is for student use only and can not be sold, transferred, or duplicated.
Each student is entitled to only one active student bus pass at a time and may only hold one credential for that pass.
New student bus pass customers will be able to use the pass from the date they receive the pass until they no longer attend the university.
Students who withdraw from classes can use the student bus pass until the first day of classes of the semester following withdrawal.
Graduating students can use the student bus pass until the first day of classes of the semester following graduation.
If a student briefly leaves the university for a period and returns, they may be able to reactivate an existing student bus pass card. If they do not have a card to reactivate, they will need to order a new card at no charge.
Invalid student 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 student bus pass, if they qualify.
Student bus passes should be returned to UW–Madison Transportation Services for recycling if the student leaves the university. Student bus passes that are not returned will be canceled and will not be valid for use on Metro buses.
Student segregated fees are non-refundable regardless of whether a student picks up their student bus pass or has it cancelled for any reason.
Any violation of this policy is grounds for confiscation of the student bus pass and ineligibility to participate in the program in the future.
