All Aboard! A Quick Primer for Using Campus Buses

Are you new to public transportation? Many first-time students have limited experience riding public transportation, but the process of using UK’s campus bus system couldn’t be easier.

The University of Kentucky, in partnership with the Lexington Transit Authority (Lextran), operates several campus bus routes designed to make it easy for students, staff, faculty and visitors to quickly access the entire campus.

Bus Routes At-A-Glance

Blue & White

Most students will primarily use the Blue and White routes which operate from 6:45 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. These two routes circle the perimeter of campus only in opposite directions. The Blue Route runs clockwise from Kroger Field to the west along Limestone. The White Route runs counterclockwise from Kroger Field along University Drive.

Green

The Green Route is a connector route that primarily serves the Greg Page and Shawneetown residential areas to the Kroger Field bus shelter, where students can then transfer to the Blue and White Routes.

Yellow

Yellow Route buses operate on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to midnight, providing students with service from Kroger Field to all major campus residence areas as well as the Gatton Student Center, W.T. Young Library and the 90.

Orange

The Orange Route primarily serves UK HealthCare employees, but is also available for use by students. These buses operate from 5 a.m. to midnight between the Orange Lot and the UK HealthCare campus.

On-Demand Night Bus

An On-Demand Night Bus service is available from midnight to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday. These buses must be requested at least 30 minutes in advance. Riders can call 859-221-RIDE (7433) to make a pick-up request.

How To Ride

Campus buses are easy to ride. Just hop aboard at any bus stop or shelter; an ID is not required. Note that face masks or coverings are currently still required while riding public transportation.

To ensure that you get off at the stop you need, simply say “Next stop please,” or pull the cord located above the window at your seat to alert the driver that you need to get off at the next stop.

All campus buses are ADA-compliant.

Track Buses in Real-Time

Track the buses in real-time by downloading the TransLoc app, UK’s GPS-based bus tracking system. Visit uky.transloc.com or download the free TransLoc app for Android and iPhones.

Bikes & Buses

All campus buses have bike racks on the front. If you’re riding a bike, you can attach it to the bus rack and hop aboard. If you’re concerned about doing this for the first time, you can practice beforehand on a stationary bus rack located at Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library in Blazer Dining.

Lose Something?

If you inadvertently leave something on a bus, contact lost and found. If you believe you’ve lost something on a Blue or White Route bus, contact Lextran Lost and Found by calling 859-253-INFO (4636).  For a Green or Orange Route bus, contact UK Transportation Services by email at:  UKbuses@lsv.uky.edu.

Inclement Weather or Other Emergencies & Holidays

Campus bus service during emergency closures or delays is contingent upon campus conditions. For more details about bus service during delays, closures, and early dismissal, visit this page.

Bus service also changes during official University holidays and academic breaks. Detailed announcements about schedule changes are made in advance. Follow UK Transportation Services on Twitter @UKParking, and sign up for our e-news to ensure that you receive the latest information.

Venture Beyond Campus

Lextran and UK Transportation Services offers Free City Transit for all UK students, staff and faculty. If you live on campus, but want to venture beyond, you can ride any Lextran bus for free simply by showing your UK Wildcat ID. Commuters can also take advantage of free Lextran routes to travel to campus, instead of driving and parking.

For more information on Lextran routes and schedules, visit www.lextran.com.

Still Have Questions?

Contact UKBuses@lsv.uky.edu with any questions or concerns you may have about riding campus buses. If you’re living off campus and need assistance determining the best Lextran route to get to campus, request Commute Planning assistance from UK Transportation Services.