The University of Iowa Department of Public Safety is rolling out a new ride-request application for those on campus to schedule a safe ride home during the evening and early morning hours.
When does NITE RIDE operate?
10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily
Where does NITE RIDE operate?
Click here to view a map of the NITE RIDE service area.
How do I schedule a ride?
Visit niteride.its.uiowa.edu, or call 319-384-1111.
How much does NITE RIDE cost?
NITE RIDE is free; NITE RIDE Express costs $1 per person; and wheelchair-accessible vehicles are free.
The new NITE RIDE application, which was developed by Information Technology Services, will allow users to schedule a ride from their cell phone or desktop computer and choose between three ride options—standard (free), express ($1 per person), and wheelchair-accessible vehicle (free).
The new express option will take up to three passengers directly to their final destination, as opposed to the standard service, which drops off passengers based on their geographic location.
When the application launches on Monday, March 26, anyone with a HawkID will be able to visit niteride.its.uiowa.edu to schedule a ride. Users will be directed to enter their HawkID, cell phone number, pick-up location, and drop-off location before choosing a vehicle. Those who request a ride will be able to view information about which vehicle to look for before it arrives. Users also will receive a text message when their ride is approaching, as an email receipt that includes information about their request and any related charges.
“These changes are being made in direct response to feedback we’ve heard from students and parents,” says Assistant Vice President and Director of Public Safety Scott Beckner. “Safety is our top priority, and the ultimate goal of this update is to improve wait times while giving those on campus another opportunity to interact with our department in a positive way.”
With the new NITE RIDE Express option, two additional department vehicles will be used for NITE RIDE services. The new request application also will give NITE RIDE dispatchers more flexibility to control routes—a combination the department hopes will help decrease wait times.
During peak times, each vehicle will be staffed by two student security officers (one driver, and one ride facilitator) to help monitor rider safety and ensure passengers are being dropped off at the correct location in a timely manner.
The department recommends that frequent users of the NITE RIDE service bookmark the page or save it to the home screen of their mobile device. This can be done by visiting niteride.its.uiowa.edu, clicking the “save” icon, and selecting the “add to home screen” option.
Both NITE RIDE and NITE RIDE Express will operate from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., within the same boundaries. A map of the boundaries can be viewed here.
NITE RIDE Safety
Under the new system, all NITE RIDE vehicles will continue to be equipped with cameras. The NITE RIDE service will be staffed by trained student security officers, as well as full-time security officers.
Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. If any misconduct is reported during a ride, the vehicle will be stopped immediately, police will be called, and the incident will be investigated.
Passengers who violate the rules may be arrested and will face university disciplinary action, including possible expulsion.
Because the ride-request application requires both drivers and riders to log in with their HawkID, the UI Department of Public Safety also will be able to keep a detailed ridership record that can be referenced if complaints are reported.
For more information about NITE RIDE and how to bookmark the web page, visit the NITE RIDE page on the UI Department of Public Safety’s website.