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Fall 2009 bus pass information page
 
Feedback, Questions, or Accessibility Issues
Contact: Kelly Krein
 
 

 

Bus Pass Program FAQ

Bus Pass Program FAQ

 

Fall 2009 ASM Bus Passes are available through December 23 at ASM StudentPrint. StudentPrint is located at 333 Campus Mall  on the 3rd floor. It's open Monday-Friday, 9:30 am to 6:30 pm during the semester and closed during recess periods. During the exam period hours it is open from 10 am to 4:30 pm.

I start class/work/orientation before the start of the semester. Can't I pick up my pass early?

No. The first day we hand out passes each semester is the first day the pass is valid. Passes from the previous semester don't expire until a week or two after we start handing out new passes, so you should have time to pick up a new pass before the old one expires. 

If you need to ride the bus before you can get your ASM pass, Madison Metro has a variety of discount programs  which will reduce your cost of transportation. And remember, campus buses (Routes 80, 81, 82, 84 and 85) are always free to all students, staff and visitors.

Who do I talk to to comment or complain about this program, or about Metro service, or about the campus bus lines (Routes 80, 81, 82, 84 & 85)

Madison Metro has an online customer service report form. We strongly encourage you to use it and identify yourself as a UW student. The form is available 24/7 and filing one means there is a record of your comments.

UW Transportation Services also has an online customer service form. This is the place to go for comments specific to the campus buses (Routes 80, 81, 82, 84 and 85) and Campus SafeWalk/SafeRide/SafeCab.

If you are inclined please send a copy of your comment to the ASM Bus Pass Committee at buspass@rso.wisc.edu. We're trying to track comments so we can to represent your interests more effectively.

Comments and complaints regarding the ASM Bus Pass Program itself can be e-mailed to buspass@rso.wisc.edu or call  263-3950.

How long is the bus pass valid? 
Fall Passes are valid through the end of the first week of the Spring Semester; Spring/Summer Passes are valid through the first week of the Fall Semester. Look on your pass for the exact dates.

I lost something on the bus...how do I get it back?
Call Madison Metro Lost and Found at 266-6524. It will help if you know what route you were riding, the direction the bus was heading, and the approximate time. If you've lost your WisCard or ASM Bus Pass, you might also want to check with  WisCard at 262-3258. The WisCard office handles all lost IDs and passes as well. If you find a lost WisCard or pass, please send it to the WisCard office.

Am I eligible for a free bus pass?
The "acid test" of eligibility to get an ASM Bus Pass is whether or not you are charged the student segregated fee that pays for this program. All students who are currently enrolled for at least one credit (including dissertators) are eligible for an ASM Bus Pass except guest students, senior auditors, and other students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers who are not charged and do not pay student segregated fees here at UW Madison. This includes students in the following programs:

  • Senior Guest Students/Auditors
  • Students enrolled at MATC or other campuses like UW-LaCrosse nursing students who are attending courses at Madison but registered via their home institutions.
  • Cytotechnology
  • Radiation Therapy Technology
  • Orthopedic Training
  • Sonography
  • Executive MBA Program 
  • Radiologic Technology
  • Nursing students enrolled through UW-LaCrosse
  • Any other student enrolled in classes through another UW Campus or MATC, including Crossroads students.

Where can I use my ASM Bus Pass?
Your pass is valid any time, anywhere on the Madison Metro Bus System. You just slide your pass through the card reader to board the bus. The driver has the right to ask to see your WisCard and may confiscate your pass and refuse you a ride if you cannot produce a WisCard.

Can anyone else use my ASM Bus Pass?
NO! Only you
can use your ASM Student Bus Pass to ride Metro, and you are only entitled to one regular pass and one replacement pass per semester. (See replacement passes below). Do NOT loan or give your pass to anyone else. ASM Student Bus Passes are personal and not transferable, nor are they redeemable for cash.You must show your WisCard to board the bus. Your pass is subject to confiscation if misused, and you may be subject to misconduct and other charges. 

Can I pick up a bus pass for someone else?
No, you may only pick up your own bus pass.

I registered for classes today, why can't I get my bus pass today?
Sometimes we have to wait overnight or even a day or two for updates to the list we use to check if you are eligible for an ASM Bus Pass.  During the busiest times of the year this list is updated daily; the rest of the year it may only be  updated a few times a week. This is true for many other campus services besides ASM Bus Pass. An instruction sheet detailing when you will be able to use your WisCard for various services is available at the WisCard office.

Is paratransit included in my ASM Student Bus Pass?
Yes it is.  You will need to fill out an application form and go through Metro's process for determining eligibility under ADA regulations before you can schedule rides. For more information on paratransit, see our paratransit info page.

Do I have to show my ID with the ASM Bus Pass?
Drivers may request to see your WisCard at any time and refuse you service and confiscate your pass if you do not produce a valid ID.  Routes 80, 81, 82, 84 and 85 are free to all and no one has to show passes or IDs. This is the only exception to the rule. Always carry your WisCard with your ASM Bus Pass.

I don't have a WisCard. What do I do?
Go get one. The WisCard office is located at the Memorial Union, fourth floor and is open Monday - Friday from 8 am to 4:15 pm.  You must present some form of personal photo identification such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. For more information call WisCard  at 262-3258 or see the WisCard website

Is it a problem if I have a faculty/staff ID? What about if I have one of the old ID cards?
No,It does not matter if your WisCard says "faculty/staff" "student" or "affiliate". Many people have been both. However if your ID is so old it still includes a social security number, it is no longer valid. Please take it to the WisCard office for a replacement.

Why can't we just show your ID and eliminate the bus pass?
Many people have attended or worked at the UW and still have a WisCard.  You donīt want them riding on your dime--Metro charges us by the ride. We haven't come up with a secure and inexpensive way to code IDs so they can be read and validated by the card readers on the bus and updated each semester. Hence a separate pass.

Where can I get information on Madison Metro routes and schedules?
Madison Metro route and schedule information is available by calling the Metro Info Line at 266-4466, or on the Web at http://www.mymetrobus.com. There's also an online trip planner. We are working with Metro staff to replace this system with Google Transit. Stay tuned.

Do I have to fill out my name and address on the back of the pass?
Replacement passes cost $20. If there is no name or contact info like an email address, we have no way to return lost passes. Besides, we want to see you sign it so it won't work for someone else. 

What if my pass is lost or stolen?
Replacements can be obtained at ASM StudentPrint. ASM StudentPrint is on the 3rd floor of the Student Activity Center at  333 East Campus Mall. StudentPrint is open 9:30 AM until 6:30 PM Monday through Friday during the semester, and 10 am to 4:30 pm during exam weeks and the summer session. It is closed during recess periods.

If your pass has been damaged and you bring it with you, StudentPrint will exchange it for a new one. Otherwise, replacement passes cost $20.00 and you're eligible for only one replacement pass per semester. Student Print accepts cash, checks, and WisCard payments.

What if my pass is damaged or won't scan right?
If your pass is damaged you can get a free replacement at StudentPrint and it won't count against the limit on replacement passes. However you MUST have your damaged pass in hand, or you will have to pay $20 and it will count against  the limit.


Why do I have to pay a $20 replacement fee if my pass is lost or stolen when I already paid for the pass in my tuition?
These passes are very valuable--worth much more than $20--so we have to restrict access to replacements and discourage fraud.

Are campus bus routes and SAFEBus included in the bus pass? 
Routes 80,81, 82, 84 and 85 are FREE for ALL riders: students, staff and visitors. You do not need to show a pass or ID to ride any of these routes.

Is there any way I can get my money back if I do not want a bus pass?
No, the money paid towards the bus pass is part of the segregated fee portion of your tuition that is not refundable.


 
 

Student Activity Center (Room 4301) • 333 East Campus Mall • Madison, WI 53715-1380 • Phone: (608) 265-4276 • Fax: (608) 265-5637