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: 

  1. Scheduling a ride in the CAMBUS Now app 

  1. Call CAMBUS dispatch at 319-335-8633 to schedule a ride 

  1. 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. 

CAMBUS Now app user guide

Download CAMBUS Now for Apple

Download CAMBUS Now for Android

Zones and hours of service

On-Demand services do not operate on university holidays. 

cambus on-demand service hours
Zonedays of serviceservice hours
Commuter ZoneYear-round weekdays 8:45 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. 
Research Park/ Medical Center North Liberty Year-round weekdays 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
Main Campus ZoneWeekdays 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.

Commuter zone service details

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. 

 

View the commuter zone map

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).

research park/mcnl service zone details

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.

main campus zone service details

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. 

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.)