If you are looking for a ride back home, the newly revived UI Rideshare can help connect you with a fellow student going in the same direction. UI Rideshare is a resource that connects people to share their commute and is now available as an app in addition to a website. Sharing your commute and rides home helps you save money and is a more sustainable option.

Beginning Nov. 30, university students, faculty, and staff can download the UI Rideshare app and create an account. If you had an account before you will need to create a new account using your Hawk ID and password. The secure online portal is exclusive to UI students and employees. The system will verify your status at the university and then pair your profile with the applicable matching pool – student or faulty and staff. 

“This will be a great tool for students to use when traveling back to their hometown for breaks,” says Michelle Ribble, UI commuter programs manager.

You can find carpool matches, bus routes, and recommended cycling or walking routes.  The application will allow you to log your commute and will calculate your cost and emissions savings once a trip is logged. 

“Although reducing traffic improves our campus for everyone, the cost savings of carpooling have a direct benefit for participants,” adds Ribble. 

Users can download the app for iPhone and Android devices or can access the service on the website https://uiowa.rideshark.com. The more people that join UI Rideshare, the higher the probability you will have a match. 

Previously, this was a state funded program, but the Iowa DOT did not renew their contract with the vendor.