St. Louis Metro provides transportation around the St. Louis region by bus or light rail and special services for registered ADA-eligible customers. There are MetroLink stations and MetroBus stops on and within close walking distance to Danforth Campus as well as near North Campus, West Campus and Medical School Campus. A current Metro U-Pass, WashU ID, or payment of applicable fares are required to ride all Metro St. Louis transit services.

WashU Metro U-Pass Program

Benefits-eligible WashU employees and full-time registered students are eligible for a Metro U-Pass, which allows free rides on the MetroLink and Metro buses. Learn more about our Metro U-Pass program.

Register for a Metro U-Pass

Planning a Trip by Metro

  • Visit WashU Rides, our ride-matching and trip-planning platform, to view an interactive map with free MetroLink Park & Ride locations as well as the MetroBus routes that come directly to campus.
  • Download the Metro Transit mobile app to explore your options, view a map featuring real-time arrival countdowns, bus and train schedules and locations.
  • Bring your bike on the MetroLink or MetroBus. Learn more at Metro’s Bike & Ride.
  • Follow Metro St. Louis on social media for real-time updates.

MetroBus Routes at WashU

The following routes were designed for the WashU community. Each route can be caught at the Mallinckrodt Bus Plaza located on the Danforth campus.

#1 Gold Route & Schedule
#1 Gold connects the Danforth and Med School campuses, in addition to servicing residential neighborhoods between both campuses. 

#2 Red Route & Schedule
The #2 route services neighborhoods north of campus, St. Louis Galleria mall, Brentwood Promenade (Trader Joe’s, Target, Micro Center) and Walmart. 

#5 Green Route & Schedule
Services 560 Music Center, north of campus neighborhoods, U-City Loop, and the Lewis Collaborative. 

Tips for Riding the MetroBus

As bus approaches, signal to the operator that you want to board by raising your hand. Once on board, swipe your U-Pass through the card reader and show the driver your WashU ID. When approaching your destination, pull the cord or press the strip to indicate your desired stop.

View schedule and route information for all Metro bus lines

MetroLink Light-rail System

MetroLink is a light-rail system that runs from the Shiloh-Scott station in Illinois to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and Shrewsbury in Missouri. It provides a car-free way for the WashU community to travel to popular downtown St. Louis locations and the airport.

WashU MetroLink Stations

There are two MetroLink stations located on campus.  The Big Bend station, located at the intersection of Big Bend and Forest Park Parkway (southeast corner). The Skinker station, at Forest Park Parkway and Skinker (southwest corner). The university provides the Danforth Campus Circulator shuttle that provides shuttle service from the MetroLink stations to various locations around the Danforth Campus and the South 40.

Tips for Riding the MetroLink

There are two MetroLink stations on the Danforth Campus along Forest Park Parkway: Red Line and Blue Line. Check the red or blue signs on the train to ensure you’re on the correct line and heading in the right direction. Operators will announce stations, or you can refer to the map in your car. You’ll need to show both your valid U-Pass and WashU ID to Metro personnel. Failure to present both may result in a citation.

Metro Call-A-Ride

Metro Call-A-Ride service is available to those who are not able to use MetroLink or MetroBus. Advanced reservations are required and priority reservations are given to those who qualify for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services. Call-A-Ride accepts the Metro U-Pass.

Metro Park & Ride

If you don’t live close to a bus stop, you can park for free at a Metro Park & Ride to take a MetroBus or MetroLink directly to campus. Many Park & Rides are located at MetroLink stations that enable you to take a train directly to a MetroLink station on or very near our campuses, including two MetroLink stations on Danforth Campus, one within a few minute walk to both North Campus and West Campus and one on the Medical Campus.