CAMBUS provides on-demand rides within limited service areas to and from existing CAMBUS stops. CAMBUS On-Demand services are fare-free, accessible, and open to the public.
Requesting a ride
Riders may request a ride for On-Demand services in multiple ways:
Scheduling a ride in the CAMBUS Now app
Call CAMBUS dispatch at 319-335-8633 to schedule a ride
Board the shuttle at its staging location and request a ride directly to the driver
Regardless of how a ride is requested, riders will need a free user account to use on-demand services. Riders may create their own account in the Cambus Now app, or Cambus staff can create an account for a rider at the time a ride is requested.
GUIDES FOR ON-DEMAND SHUTTLE
Download CAMBUS Now for Apple
Download CAMBUS Now for Android
Zones and hours of service
On-Demand services do not operate on university holidays.
| Zone | Route | days of service | service hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commuter Zone | 61 | Year-round weekdays | 8:45 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. |
| Research Park/ Medical Center North Liberty | 63 | Year-round weekdays | 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. |
| Main Campus Zone | 62 | Weekdays during break periods* | 8:45 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. |
| Weekends during summer break | 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. |
*Break periods include summer, winter break, fall break, and spring break
Interactive Service Zones Map
Service zone details
Commuter zone
The On-Demand Shuttle serves the commuter zone when other fixed-route services are limited or not available. The shuttle primarily provides connections from work locations around the Health Sciences Campus to campus commuter parking lots.
Days of service | Year-round weekdays |
Hours of service | 8:45 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. |
Bus staging area | West Campus Transportation Center, stall 3 |
Locations served | Existing CAMBUS stops at Lots 85 (Hawkeye Commuter), 65 (Finkbine), 75 (Arena), 55 (Hancher), Aspire, Health Sciences Campus and the West Campus Transportation Center. |
Minimum notice to schedule a ride | No minimum notice required |
Maximum notice to schedule a ride | Riders may schedule rides for the same day as the requested pick-up. |
Research Park/Medical Center North Liberty zone
The Research Park/MCNL on-demand service begins operating on April 28, 2025.
The Research Park/MCNL On-Demand Shuttle provides a connection between the Health Sciences Campus on Newton Road and health care facilities on the Research Park campus, including Medical Center North Liberty (MCNL) and Hospital Shared Services Building (HSSB).
Days of service | Year-round weekdays |
Hours of service | 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. |
Bus staging area | West Campus Transportation Center, Stall 7 |
Locations served | Limited CAMBUS stops on Newton Road and at the Research Park campus |
Minimum notice to schedule a ride | No minimum notice required |
Maximum notice to schedule a ride | Riders may schedule rides up to 3 days in advance |
Main campus zone
The On-Demand Shuttle serves the main campus zone when other fixed-route services are not available. The On-Demand Shuttle only serves existing CAMBUS stops throughout main campus; it does not include stops in Coralville or at the Research Park campus.
Days of service | Break and summer weekdays, summer weekends |
Hours of service | 8:45 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. during break and summer weekdays 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. during summer weekends |
Bus staging area | West Campus Transportation Center, stall 3 |
Locations served | Existing CAMBUS stops at commuter parking lots, west campus, and main campus. |
Minimum notice to schedule a ride | No minimum notice required |
Maximum notice to schedule a ride | Riders may schedule rides for the same day as the requested pick-up. |
*Break includes spring break, fall break, and winter break.
How to ride
Leave-at or arrive-by
Riders may schedule rides to leave their pick-up location at a specific time (”leave-at”) or to arrive at their destination by a certain time (”arrive-by”). The arrive-by option is better for reaching a destination on time for work, class, or appointments.
Rides can also be scheduled as “Leave ASAP.” This will find the next available ride.
Pick-up windows
Once a ride is confirmed, a 10-minute pick-up window is provided. The vehicle will arrive within that 10-minute pick-up window. When a vehicle arrives, riders should promptly board the vehicle. Drivers will wait up to 5 minutes for a rider. If a rider does not board within 5 minutes, the driver may leave for other rides. To keep rides on time and services efficient, please be ready to board when the vehicle arrives.
Riders can receive alerts about the status of their ride and view a live map of the vehicle as it approaches the pick-up location. Riders are encouraged to use the app or SMS text messages to stay informed of their ride status.
Shared rides
On-Demand is a public shared ride service. Your ride may include other riders boarding at the same location or being picked up and dropped off on the way to your destination.
Cancelling your ride
Riders should cancel any scheduled rides as soon as they know they do not need it. This opens up the schedule for other riders to book trips and allows us to serve as many people as possible. To cancel a trip, either call the dispatcher or use the CAMBUS Now app.
Questions?
Contact the CAMBUS dispatcher at 319-335-8633.
Email CAMBUS at cambus-transit@uiowa.edu (email monitored Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.)