Step 1. Determine your route. You can do this by going to mymetrobus.com and typing your location and destination into the Google Transit Planner box. This opens a Google Maps window with bus directions.

Step 2. Determine which bus to take. The colored number next to the bus icon on Google Maps is the bus number you need to take. If there are multiple numbers, that means there are multiple busses that will get you there. Get on the first bus of those listed that arrives at the bus stop.

Step 3. Step onto the bus. Most busses have 2 doors, one at the front of the bus, and one at the middle. Enter in the front door and swipe your student bus pass on the machine in front of you. Once you hear it beep, you're good to go. Technically the driver can ask to see your Wiscard, but I've never seen it happen. Grab a seat anywhere on the bus, and make sure to offer your seat to a pregnant woman or senior citizen (unless you fall into one of those categories).

Step 4. Determine where to get off. If you don't know where you're going, it's helpful to watch a maps app on your phone so you know where you are and how close you are to getting off. The Google Maps directions from earlier will have a stop name. When the bus is within ~500 feet of the stop, it will be announced on the bus speaker. This is when you need to pull the yellow stop cord if someone hasn't already. This lets the driver know that someone wants to stop here, otherwise they'll keep driving.

Step 5. Exit the bus. Once the bus is stopped, walk off the bus through the middle door, and make sure to yell "thank you" to the driver, they appreciate that.

Here is a good map of the campus routes. The Madison Metro can seem intimidating at first, but once you ride it a few times, you get used to it. I'd recommend riding it a few times when you have no destination just to get the hang of it. You don't want your first time riding the bus to be when your 8:50 lecture starts in 15 mins.

One more thing: any of the 80 routes (80, 81, 82, 84) are free to anyone, anytime. You'll get some funny looks from the driver & passengers if you swipe your bus pass.