University of Illinois System
UI Ride

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can ride UI Ride?

UI Ride passengers must be:

  • A U of I System or university employee.
  • A guest traveling on system or university business when booked by an employee, a department of study, or administration.
  • A guest when traveling on non-business and must be accompanied by an employee.
  • A student at a university in the system on pre-approved academic, business or research travel.
  • All passengers must be ticketed passengers with a reservation. Walk up passengers are not accepted.

UI Ride is not available to the general public. 

For more details, visit Rider Policy.

How do I reserve a seat on UI Ride?

  • Employees and authorized students should use UI Ride online reservation system.
  • Select the appropriate date and time.
  • Select pickup and drop-off locations.
  • Select whether travel is one way or round trip.
  • Enter credit card, university T-Card, or CFOAP information.

  • Please note:

    • Seating on each shuttle is limited to 18 passengers.
    • Reservations may be made from 4 months prior to the date of travel.
    • Reservations may be made up to 1 hour before any shuttle leaving after 9:00 a.m.; shuttles leaving before 8 a.m. must be booked by 8 p.m. the previous day.
    • While making reservations, seats will be held for 10 minutes during the purchase process. After that time period, the seats will be released.
    • If you need assistance, please call (217) 333-RIDE or via email at uiride@uillinois.edu.

What types of payment are allowed?

  • The online reservation system allows for a credit card, T-Card, and CFOAP to be used for payment.
  • When reserving multiple passengers in a single transaction, only a single credit card can be used. However, if reserving multiple passengers in a single transaction using a CFOAP, the system allows for each passenger to use a different CFOAP.
  • For more details visit the Payment Policy.

How do I cancel my trip?

What if my trip is canceled?

Passengers are strongly advised to provide a cell phone number when making travel reservations with UI Ride for updates in the event of weather or traffic related delays or emergencies.

  • Cancellations may occur due to extreme weather conditions or other circumstances outside reasonable control.
  • Any cancellation due to UI Ride not being available will result in no charge or a refund to the rider.
  • Check the UI Ride online reservation system for travel delay or cancellation related updates.

How do I change my trip?

Changes to dates and times of trips are allowed up to 1 hour before any shuttle leaving after 9 a.m.; shuttles leaving before 8 a.m. must be booked by 8 p.m. the previous day.

  • If you need to make a change to the time or route of your trip, log in to the UI Ride online reservation system and check the availability of your desired new time or route. If the new time and route are available, complete the reservation.
  • Next, in the “My Booking” tab find the old reservation that is no longer needed and cancel that ticket.

NOTE: There is no fee involved when changing drop-off locations of your reservations.

Substitution of travelers is allowed, provided the substitute traveler has the confirmation number for the passenger who is registered to travel. The traveler riding in substitution must fit rider eligibility requirements and service eligibility terms and conditions. The substitution will be required to provide a U of I system or university ID or state ID to board and ride the shuttle. If the substitute traveler requires a wheelchair contact (217) 333-RIDE at least one hour in advance between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to confirm accommodations can be made.

What if I miss my trip?

Passengers should plan to arrive at the pickup location no later than 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time to avoid missing the shuttle and to facilitate check-in and boarding.

  • Departure times are listed in the UI Ride online reservation system and are strictly enforced.
  • The entire cost for a trip is forfeited for missing your trip.
  • Missing a departure trip does not automatically cancel the associated return trip. It is the traveler’s responsibility to make any changes or cancellations.
  • All cancellation policies will apply. For more details visit the Cancellation and Missed Trip Policy.

What do I need for identification?

A U of I system or university ID or state ID may be requested to board and ride the shuttle.

Why do you need my cell phone number?

During the reservation process, it is strongly advised to provide a cell phone number in case of an emergency, weather, or traffic delay that could impact the shuttle’s expected arrival and/or departure. We respect your privacy and will not share your personal information with third parties.

What can I bring on the shuttle?

  • Each passenger may bring one personal item and one carry-on piece of luggage. Dimensions should not exceed 18x14x12 inches.
  • Please contact uiride@uillinois.edu if you have special cargo. UI Ride will try to accommodate.
  • Food and drink are permitted and allowed to be consumed during travel. Alcohol and other intoxicants are not permitted at any time.
  • All tobacco use and smoking are prohibited on the shuttle in accordance with each university’s policy.
  • For more details visit the Luggage Policy.

How do I book the conference table?

  • The collaborative workspace can be booked in any combination on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • During the booking process, passengers can choose from one or up to all four seats when available. 
  • The cost and booking process is the same for the conference table as for any other seat.

When does the UI Ride operate?

  • UI Ride shuttles will operate Monday through Friday with multiple stops in both Chicago and Urbana-Champaign. These locations can be found here and on the UI Ride online reservation system.
  • There are identified blackout dates. These dates are few and when light travel is expected because of holidays. The UI Ride online reservation system will not allow these dates to be selected.

How far out can I book my trip?

UI Ride reservations may be made up to 4 months in advance of travel.

Can I use my cell phone?

The use of cellphones on UI Ride is permitted.

   Please use the guidelines to avoid disrupting other passengers:

  • Please turn ringers and alerts to vibrate or silent.
  • When engaged in calls, please avoid non-professional or off-color language and the sharing of personal information.
  • As a courtesy to your fellow passengers, please be considerate of others and use a conversational voice.
  • Consider using earbuds/headphones when possible and are required when listening to music.

Is Wi-Fi available?

All UI Ride shuttles are equipped with Wi-Fi. Wireless internet access is dependent on cellular modems from carriers who have towers along the route. There are areas along the route where there is a potential for limited or no coverage.

  •  UI Ride provided Wi-Fi connectivity is for business use only.
  • Bandwidth is limited, and as a courtesy to those sharing this resource, please avoid activities such as streaming video or sending or receiving large files.

Does UI Ride offer accommodations for accessibility needs?

  • Each UI Ride shuttle can accommodate up to two wheelchairs. All seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis including the wheelchair accessible seats and can be booked during the online reservation process. 
  • Wheelchairs are always required to be secured into the vehicle securement system during the ride.
  • Service animals, as established and defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • (ADA), are welcome on UI Ride shuttles. The individual with a disability and the handler are responsible for the proper care and supervision of the animal at all times.

What if I left an item behind?

Items left behind on the UI Ride shuttles and found by our drivers and maintenance staff will be cataloged and stored. Please contact UI Ride at 217-333-RIDE or uiride@uillinois.edu with a complete description of the missing item. Any items not retrieved within 90 days will be discarded or donated to charity.

What browsers does UI Ride online reservation system support?

The UI Ride passenger website requires the latest Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari, or Mozilla version. The website may not work optimally on Internet Explorer, or other non-supported browsers.

 

What devices are supported for the mobile app?

1. iOS:

  • iOS version support - iOS 11, 12, 13.
  • iPhone 6, iPhone 6 plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS MAX.
  • Application will run on iPad but it is not developed to fit iPad resolution. Also, iPad support is not considered as a part of the scope. It will run in (1x or 2x) iPhone compatibility mode on iPad.

2. Android: 

  • Android OS version support - Android 7.0 to 9.X
  • Testing Devices - Samsung Galaxy S 8 (1440 x 2560 pixels), Samsung Galaxy S 7 edge (1440 x 2560 pixels), Samsung Galaxy S 7 (1440 x 2560 pixels), Samsung Galaxy S 6 edge (1440 x 2560 pixels), Moto G 6th generation 

Parking

For information on parking please see Routes and Schedules.