UI Rideshare is a free online commute-matching system that lets registrants search for carpools, vanpools, transit routes, and bike and walk buddies. It also includes a calendar to track activity and a cost savings calculator to help you with your commutes.

Students match with other students and faculty/staff match with other faculty/staff. The app is for UI affiliated persons and will only connect you with your same group.

UI Rideshare uses state-of the-art mapping technology to search for possible commute matches within the University of Iowa. Matches are displayed on an interactive Google map, allowing you to email potential matches.

Your profile information is entered into a database that searches for other commuters with similar commute routes and schedules. When you run a carpool match, you will receive a list of people near you who are also interested in carpooling. Registering does not obligate you to carpool but we do hope it motivates you.

No, but we hope you will consider matching with other commuters when possible. Carpooling will help reduce congestion on campus and lower your carbon footprint.

We understand this is a new system that will take some time to mature, and you may not have suitable matches today. In the meantime, we sincerely appreciate your participation and ask that you continue to log your commute within the app.

Simply log in to UI Rideshare. From your navigation page, click 'Commuters' then 'My Trip Profiles.' Under Trip Visibility click on Who Can Find Me and select No One. You can still use other features of the system.

Yes. Your home address will never show on a carpool match list. Email addresses are hidden, unless you choose to send an email. Phone numbers are not required – just recommended.

By default, people who match to your commute will see your first name, commute preferences, and the contact information you choose to share. You can also choose to hide all information and not show on match lists by changing the visibility of your commute 'My Trip Profiles.'

First, try adjusting your search settings. The default setting searches within two miles of your origin and destination. You can expand or reduce as necessary.

If you still don’t find a match, try searching from another location such as a park-and-ride lot or shopping center. Still no luck? Try searching again in a week or two. It takes a while to build up registrants in the database so don’t give up if you’re not immediately successful.

Possibly because your future carpool partners are sitting at home asking the same question. Be proactive. Run a carpool match and email someone from your match list. Check back in regularly to see if you can find new matches.

Use UI Rideshare to locate and contact your potential carpool matches. After you have been in contact with your matches, if you do not know them, offer to meet them in a public place such as a coffee shop.

Be sure to discuss basic rules such as who will drive, what to do if you have to miss a carpool day, and who pays (if payment is desired). Always exchange contact information with your carpool matches. Communication is the key to a successful carpool.

No problem. When you are registering with UI Rideshare simply indicate that you wish to be a passenger only.

If driving is equally shared by the carpool members, you may choose not to charge for gas or any other expenses. When only one person does the driving, or when there is an unequal split of driving responsibilities, the cost-sharing arrangement should be discussed by those in the carpool. The carpool members are free to base the costs on whatever they may choose. The AAA cost of driving per mile could be a good starting point for this discussion.

If you know you have to work late or can’t meet the carpool’s schedule on a particular day then don’t carpool. Carpooling is meant to be a flexible and convenient arrangement. On those days when it is not convenient, commute to work in another manner. Take the bus, your bike, walk or bring your own car.

Communication is the key to success when carpooling.

Meet with them beforehand in a public space, like a coffee shop, to get to know each other.

Communicate your issues with the carpool group. If the situation can’t be resolved, try to give your present carpool sufficient notice that you will be leaving. Then, go back to the UI Rideshare site to find a new carpool partner and try again.