The University of Washington: Facilities Services

Bus or Train to Campus

Riding the Bus or Train

Whether you are a visitor to the campus or a regular faculty, staff or student commuter, it’s easy to get to the University of Washington by bus or commuter train. More than 60 bus routes serve the U-District, including many that drive onto the campus itself. You can also take the train or light rail to downtown Seattle, then jump on a bus for a quick ride to the University.

Faculty, Staff and Students

The U-PASS is your ticket to ride on all six Central Puget Sound transit agencies—Metro Transit, Community Transit, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit, Everett Transit and Kitsap Transit—anytime, anywhere. U-PASS also gives you full fare coverage on light rail and on the Sounder commuter train. Sounder provides a quick commute option from Tacoma or Everett. Light rail provides service between Tukwila and downtown Seattle. Enjoy your commute time reading or relaxing rather than grinding your teeth in traffic!

It’s easy to ride the bus with your U-PASS. Just show your U-PASS to the driver as you leave if the bus originated in downtown, or as you enter if it did not. On the Sounder and light rail, board the train and show you U-PASS to the attendant, if asked.

Alerts, Announcements and Service Changes

For current alerts, announcements and service changes, see individual transit agencies:

Learn More

Going to a Husky Football game?

With your game ticket, ride free on any Metro bus or on the shuttles to Husky Stadium from Park & Ride lots. More

Free bus tickets for new employees

It’s necessary to have a Husky Card (official UW ID card) before getting a U-PASS, but sometimes it takes awhile for new faculty and staff to be issued one. If you don’t want to bother with the expense and hassle of trying to park on campus, take the bus on us. If your Husky Card is delayed, come to Commuter Services with your Employee ID Number. We will give you free Metro Transit or Community Transit bus tickets to help you out until your card is issued. When you do obtain your Husky Card, come back to our office to purchase a U-PASS sticker (which we will affix to the back of your Husky Card).

Bikes on Buses

You, your bike, the bus and a U-PASS are a great combination! All six Central Puget Sound transit agencies have easy-to-use bike racks on all their buses so you can bike one way, or just part of the way, and ride the bus for the rest of your journey.

Night Stop

To enhance security when traveling at night, Metro Transit offers a convenient service called Night Stop. Available between the hours of 9:00 pm and 5:00 am, Night Stop allows you to ask the driver to let you off at any point along your bus route, even though it might not be a Metro bus stop. More

Is your bus running on time? When is the next bus coming?

  • Check One Bus Away to see if your bus is running on schedule.
  • Call BUS-TIME at 206.287.8463 if you know your route number and need to find out when the next bus is coming.

Services for people with disabilities

All buses are lift-equipped to accommodate passengers who are in wheelchairs or unable to climb steps. Timetables indicate which buses can accommodate wheelchairs. For information about other transportation services for persons with disabilities, contact your transit agency:

  • Metro Transit 206.553.3060 or 800.542.7876 (TTY 206.684.1739)
  • Community Transit 800.562.1375 (TTY 425.778.2188)
  • Sound Transit 888.889.6368 (TTY/TTD 888.713.6030)
  • Pierce Transit 206.581.8000 or 800.562.8109 (TTY 253.582.7951)
  • Everett Transit 425.257.7777 (TTY 425.257.7778)
  • Kitsap Transit 800.501.7433 (TTY 360.479.4348)

Departments: Bus Tickets for visitors, guests and off-campus employees

Do you currently provide parking with Validation Coupons or Departmental Commuter Tickets (DCTs) for your departmental visitors, guests or employees working off-site who occasionally come to the Seattle main campus for University business? Consider offering bus transportation as an alternative option. Departments can buy (non-refundable) 1-zone or 2-zone peak Metro bus ticketbooks on a University budget to distribute to visitors and guests.