Transportation Options
Do you commute to work? Would you like to save money on your commute? UW employees have access to free bus passes and pre-tax deduction programs.
How can I get a free bus pass?
The university made arrangements with the Madison Metro to provide each eligible UW employee with a free bus pass. The program began in August. Parking on campus is very limited, so employees are encouraged to use alternatives to driving.
Passes are available at Transportation Services at the Welcome Center, 21 N Park Street Rm 1200, or at Transportation Service's main office, 124 WARF.
UW Hospital employees can pick up their bus passes in the Transportation Services office at G5/140 Clinical Science Center. Faculty and staff with emeritus status are eligible for passes, too.
Can I pay for my transportation costs pre-tax?
Employees who commute to work have three options for deducting costs on a pre-tax basis. The university has payroll deductions for parking and vanpools. A new program, Commuter Benefits, is available on a pre-tax basis.
How do I find out about UW campus parking?
Employees wanting to sign up for parking in a university-owned lot should contact their unit parking coordinator. Parking is very limited.
For information on parking and alternatives, visit the UW Transportation Services website.
UW parking lots and locations can be viewed by clicking here.
If a UW lot is available, the employee can have the cost deducted from payroll on a pre-tax basis. For more information about pre-tax deductions for parking click here.
Where can I find out about commuter vanpools?
The Department of Administration offers the Vanpool Program to anyone commuting to Madison. Payment for vanpool expenses can be deducted from payroll pre-tax. To sign up, email DOA, call 266-POOL, or (800) 884-VANS. For more information, visit the DOA website.
What is offered through the Commuter Benefits Program?
The Commuter Benefits Program is for state employees and supplements the existing UW-Madison pre-tax parking and vanpool programs. Employees can participate provided they do not exceed the monthly maximum pre-tax contribution amounts. Employee Trust Funds administers the program. Fringe Benefit Management Co. processes deductions and reimbursements.
For UW Madison employees this program will offer a pre-tax deduction for commuting expenses that currently cannot be deducted on a pre-tax basis, such as car pooling, flex parking, city parking meters or ramps, private parking arrangements, park-and-ride costs or private bus costs. For more information, click here.