Campus buses 101: What you need to know
LEXINGTON, KY (Aug. 19, 2025) — The first few days of a new semester can be both exciting and challenging. University of Kentucky Transportation Services has some tips to make your commute on campus easier.
UK, in partnership with the Lexington Transit Authority (Lextran), operates several free on-campus bus routes to help you quickly access the entire campus. You don't have to show your Wildcat ID on campus routes. Just hop aboard at any bus stop or shelter.
To get off at the stop you need, tell the driver, “Next stop please,” or pull the cord located above your seat window. All campus buses are ADA-compliant.
Plus, you can track buses in real-time by downloading Transit, UK’s GPS-based bus tracking system.
Bus Routes at-a-Glance:
Blue & White (Route 14)
Most students will primarily use the Blue and White route buses which operate from 6:45 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. These two routes circle the perimeter of campus all day, 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 Route
The Green Route 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. It can also be used by those who park in the Commonwealth Drive or College Way lots to get to the Kroger Field Blue Lot Bus Shelter. The Green Route runs from 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Yellow Route
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 Route (UK HealthCare)
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 Monday through Friday 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. Call 859-221-RIDE (7433) to make a pick-up request.
Free city-wide transit
Lextran and UK Transportation Services offers Free City Transit for all UK students, staff and faculty. To venture beyond campus, ride any Lextran bus for free by showing your 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.
Bikes and 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, practice beforehand on a stationary bus rack located at Wildcat Wheels bike shop on the first floor of Sports Center Garage. Learn more about Wildcat Wheels.
Lose something?
If you inadvertently leave something on a bus, contact lost and found. For Blue or White Route buses, contact Lextran Lost and Found. For items left on a Green or Orange Route bus, contact UK Transportation Services.
Inclement weather or other emergencies and holidays
Campus bus service during emergency closures or delays is contingent upon campus conditions. For details about bus service during delays, closures, and early dismissal, visit transportation.uky.edu/severe-weather and download Transit for in-app notifications.
Bus service also changes during official university holidays and academic breaks. Announcements about schedule changes are made in advance.
Stay in the loop by following UK Transportation Services on Instagram and X, and sign up for e-news by visiting transportation.uky.edu/.
Still have questions?
Email Transportation Services at transportation@uky.edu or call 859-257-5757.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.