The UW–Madison Health Sciences Transportation Unit manages parking applications for employees of the School of Medicine and Public Health, UW Health, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, University Health Services and the State Laboratory of Hygiene.
Important updates for the 2025-26 parking year
- The Round 1 2025-26 parking application opens earlier than normal this year. It opens Wednesday, April 23 and closes on May 23. Offers will be emailed July 1-3 and must be accepted by July 22. Those interested in parking are strongly encouraged to apply in Round 1.
- Applicants must now select either a base or Flex permit before ranking their four lot options. This means individuals cannot apply for a mix of base and Flex options. Restricting application choices to one permit type is expected to result in more efficient use of campus parking space.
- There are new Remote Lot and Park and Ride options.
- There is a new free UW Health Park and Ride available to SMPH employees.
Essential Parking Application Pre-Steps
Our parking reality: Demand greatly exceeds supply
On the west side of campus there is not enough parking availability to accommodate every employee who needs it. Hundreds of employees who need parking do not receive a permit. In addition, inappropriate use of visitor parking by employees in lots, namely Lot 75, has serious impacts on patient care.
It is more important than ever to consider all possible commute options to minimize strain on the parking system on the west side of campus.
Follow these pre-steps
- Explore all commute options or get free commute planning assistance from Transportation Services. If you learn you need a parking permit, use the Permit Selection Guide from Transportation Services.
- You have to apply for parking every year. Even if you had a permit in a certain lot previously, you are not guaranteed a permit or the same lot each year.
- Put four lot selections in your permit application to maximize your chances of getting a permit. Putting only one lot you have had in the past could reduce your chances to receive a parking assignment. This is because if you do not receive a permit in the one lot you selected, you could be placed on a waiting list and risk receiving no permit for the year.
- New for 2025-26 applications:
- Applicants must select either a base or Flex permit before ranking their four lot options. This means individuals cannot apply for a mix of base and Flex options.
- Employees may now apply for Flex permits in remote lot 204 and park and ride lot 206. These are off-campus surface lots where ParkMobile will be used for Flex parking payments.
- New for 2025-26 applications:
- Make smart lot selections and apply in Round 1. Smaller or extremely convenient lots, such as Lots 95 and 74, are in high demand and difficult for most employees to obtain a permit for. Consider this when making your four selections. Recommended lots on the west side of campus include Lot 76 (University Bay Drive Ramp) and Lot 75 (UW Hospital Ramp); nearby surface Lots 60, 82, and 131; and Lot 67 (Linden Drive Garage).
- Pay attention to application and purchase deadlines, even if on leave or sabbatical.
- Have an alternative commute plan.
- Transportation Services will contact you only if or when they can offer a permit. You will remain on the waitlist until you receive an emailed offer. Once permits are assigned, you can check your status in the Permit Application System to see if you got an assignment or are on the waitlist. Contact healthsciencesparking@mailplus.wisc.edu with questions.
New lot options since last parking application season
Apply for parking from Transportation Services
Popular alternatives
- Employee Bus Pass:
- Subsidized bus pass that allows for unlimited rides on Madison Metro Transit
- UW Carpool Program:
- Carpools with 3-plus riders can skip the application line
- Get six daily parking passes each parking year for when you can’t ride with the carpool
- Most alternative parking options qualify an employee for the Emergency Ride Home Program (ERH).
Apply for a permit that fits your needs
- Base lot: May be best for those with a standard work week schedule and who need to be on campus many days out of the week.
- Park and ride: Same considerations as base lot, but also a good fit for those who want to save money on parking, avoid the hassle of parking on campus, and have flexibility to take the shuttle the rest of the way.
- Flex parking: A Flex pass allows for pay-per-use parking that may be cheaper overall for hybrid employees.
Free UW Health option available to SMPH employees
- Free Park and Ride from UW Health Administrative Services Building at 7974 UW Health Ct. in Middleton
- Door-to-door shuttle service to/from the parking lot and University Hospital.
- Hang tag required: SMPH employees may stop by the Guest Depot, located on the main floor of American Family Children’s Hospital, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. to complete a UW Health Ct parking permit registration form and pick up a hang tag for your vehicle.
New employees
Congratulations on accepting a position at UW–Madison or UW Health! Read the information and steps below to become familiar with the parking process and apply for a permit, if needed.
- You must apply for a parking permit if you need to park on campus to perform your duties.
- Understand the parking permit application cycle calendar.
- Apply for parking during three main rounds from May through August. Shortly after each round, Transportation Services extends permit offers. You must accept your permit offer before the noted deadline.
- Permits are then valid September 1 of the current year to August 31 of the next year.
- Employees who start outside of the summer application cycle must still apply for a permit and may do so throughout the year. Transportation Services reviews applications every two weeks, and will contact you only if or when they can offer a permit. You will remain on the waitlist until you receive an emailed offer.
- Read thoroughly and follow the Essential Parking Application Pre-Steps above to learn more about availability, transportation options and how to apply for a permit if you need one. For example, putting four lot selections in your permit application will maximize your chances of getting a permit.
- If your start date is weeks or months away, fill out the Request for Application – Health Sciences Parking. This helps the health sciences parking coordinator know to reach out to you when you can start your permit application.
- UW Health employees may need to consider additional details about parking, which can be found on UW Health’s The Pulse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Transportation resources
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How can I get more information on commuting, parking and transportation at UW–Madison?
Visit the UW–Madison Transportation Services website for more detailed information.
What commuting alternatives exist around Madison and the campus area?
Discounted or free Madison Metro bus passes are available to UW–Madison health sciences and UW Health employees. UW Medical Foundation (UWMF) employees are eligible for a free bus pass. Refer to U-Connect for more information.
Biking, walking, carpooling, commuter vanpools and remote park and ride lots are some alternatives available for all employees. Visit UW–Madison Commuter Solutions for more information.
Is there a map showing locations of campus parking lots?
See the campus parking maps on the UW Transportation Services website. Also see the interactive campus map at map.wisc.edu.
How do I contact UW–Madison Transportation Services and where is it located?
Transportation Services has offices in the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) building, the UW–Madison Welcome Center and American Family Children’s Hospital. View Transportation Services location and office hours information. Contact Transportation Services at 608-263-6667 or customerservice@fpm.wisc.edu.
Does UW–Madison have an emergency ride home program?
Yes. University employees who do not drive to work and need to leave due to an emergency can use the Emergency Ride Home program.
Parking application and process
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As a UW–Madison health sciences or UW Health employee, how do I request parking?
Employees apply for parking from UW–Madison Transportation Services. Follow the Essential Parking Application Pre-Steps above to learn how to apply for parking.
What do I do if I can't remember my UW NetID and/or password for the Permit Application System (PAS)?
Forgotten UW NetID
You can visit Recovering a Forgotten NetID page if you remember your recovery email address.
Forgotten Password
Option 1: You can reset your password on the NetID Account Modification page by clicking “Forgot password” — you will need your NetID, your date of birth, and (if applicable) Wiscard number.
Option 2: You can call the UW-Madison DoIT Help Desk at 608-264-4357. Select option 1 and inform customer service you need your NetID password reset in order to access the UW Transportation Services Parking Application System. Then, visit NetID and Password Modification to change your temporary password.
More parking application help is available on the Transportation Services website.
How do I activate my NetID (new employees)?
Email healthsciencesparking@mailplus.wisc.edu with “Need Campus ID” as the subject line. The Campus ID Number will be emailed to you.
After obtaining your Campus ID Number, visit the My NetID website to activate your NetID. Enter your Campus ID Number and your date of birth to complete this step.
Be sure to keep a record of your NetID login and password.
How are campus parking lot assignments for the UW–Madison Health Sciences Transportation Unit made?
Assignments are made based on a priority number assigned by the School of Medicine and Public Health administration. The prioritization formula takes different factors into account, such as years of service and compensation levels. This process is run by the School of Medicine and Public Health administration, not individual departments or units.
Transportation Services combines the priorities assigned by all the parking units on campus and distributes assignments accordingly based on available space. For more information, see the Annual Parking Permit Application Process Policy.
How much does it cost to park on campus?
View current rates.
How do I pay for a parking permit?
Campus parking permits are valid from September 1 to August 31. All faculty, staff, UW Health and UW Medical Foundation (UWMF) employees who park on campus must reapply for parking every year. Payment options are:
- Most employees are eligible for monthly post-tax payroll deduction from September through August
- Pay in full by either cash, check or credit card.
Agency staff, emeriti and individuals in a zero-dollar pay status are required to pay for their parking in full by either cash, check or credit card.
Monthly deductions start in September and run through August.
If you need to cancel a permit, know that refunds or payroll deduction cancellations will not be processed until the product and the completed cancellation form (PDF) are returned to one of the Transportation Services offices.
Can I apply for parking at any time throughout the year?
Yes.
A parking year runs from September 1 through August 31. You can apply for a current-year permit any time throughout a parking year. You can also apply for a permit for an upcoming year between May and August 31 before the upcoming parking year begins.
Most employees apply for parking in the summer before a new parking year begins. There are three opportunities to apply for and potentially receive a parking assignment before September 1.
Between September 1 and May, new parking applications for the current year are processed every two weeks.
Between May and August, current-year permits may be available for direct purchase without the need for an application.
Can I apply for more than one lot?
Yes. It is highly recommended that applicants apply for the maximum of four lots. This is because many campus lots are highly requested, and are therefore difficult to get into.
If you receive a parking permit in one of the lots you requested on your application, you will be removed from the waiting lists from any other lots you chose on your application.
Can I switch my permit assignment for something else?
If you are unsatisfied with the permit assignment you receive, you may submit a new application for a different lot and keep your current assignment in the meantime. If space opens in the new lot, you can exchange your unwanted parking permit. There is an exchange fee.
What if I need parking but did not get a permit?
There are not enough parking spots available on the west side of campus to accommodate all employees in need of parking. Below are some options that can help navigate the situation.
- Explore all Commuter Solutions from Transportation Service, such as carpooling.
- Get free commute planning assistance from Transportation Services.
- Alert your supervisor and ask them to consider a Remote Work Agreement that provides flexibility to your parking needs.
- You are highly discouraged from parking as a visitor in lots, particularly Lot 75, because it has serious impacts on patient care.
Cancelling or changing a permit
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How do I cancel my parking permit, bus pass or bike locker/cage?
It is your responsibility to return all permits and notify UW Transportation Services if you terminate employment or no longer want your assignment.
Refunds or payroll deduction cancellations will not be processed until the product and the completed cancellation form (PDF) are returned to one of the Transportation Services offices.
Cancellation is based on the date the products (permit, bus pass or bike locker key) are received by one of the UW Transportation Services locations.
Note: Payroll deductions are not eligible for refund.
My work schedule is changing. How do I change my permit for my new shift?
Employees switching from evening/night shift to day shift:
Contact the health sciences unit transportation coordinator at healthsciencesparking@mailplus.wisc.edu. They will let you know that you will need to go through the application process.
If you no longer need your afternoon or night permit, you may return it to one of the Transportation Services locations.
Refunds or payroll deduction cancellations are not processed until the permit is returned to one of the Transportation Services offices.
Note: Payroll deductions are not eligible for refund.
Employees switching from day shift to evening/night shift:
Afternoon and night permits are available; more specific permit information can be found on the Transportation Services permit page. You can purchase one of these permits through the Transportation Services e-Business Portal or by visiting one of the Transportation Services offices.
You must bring in your base lot, Flex, or park and ride permit to one of the Transportation Services locations to exchange it for an afternoon or night permit.
Issues with permits or parking
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I have a base lot permit but when I drove in my base lot was full. What are my options?
If you have problems parking in your assigned lot, you should park in the next closest non-gated parking lot. To avoid a citation, you must report the problem to Transportation Services as soon as possible through the lot full form. You will need the following information:
- Your license plate number
- Your assigned lot number
- Lot number where you parked
- Reason for relocation
What do I do if I forgot my permit today?
Annual permit holders are eligible to receive a maximum of three temporary (daily) parking permits per parking year. Each temporary permit may not exceed one day. You can pick these temporary permits up at any of the Transportation Services offices.
What do I do if my permit is lost or stolen?
Lost or stolen permits must be reported through the UW Transportation Services lost or stolen permit report form (PDF). Replacement costs apply.
What options do I have when I receive a parking citation?
You have two options when you receive a parking citation on the UW–Madison campus:
- Pay the citation, or
- Appeal the citation if you believe you received it in error.
You can pay or appeal citations online through UW Transportation Services.
Contact us
The Health Sciences Parking Team can address many questions or problems relating to parking applications: healthsciencesparking@mailplus.wisc.edu. Questions specifically about billing are best directed to Transportation Service Customer Service at 608-263-6667 or customerservice@fpm.wisc.edu.