BLOOMINGTON — Indiana University is taking a major step toward more affordable and sustainable campus transit. In an announcement made Tuesday via LinkedIn, the university unveiled HoosierShare by Uber, a ride-sharing service designed exclusively for the IU Bloomington community.
The program allows students, faculty, and staff to split rides with up to two other “Hoosiers” heading in the same direction, effectively cutting both transportation costs and the university’s carbon footprint.
How HoosierShare Works
The service operates through the standard Uber app but is restricted to verified IU affiliates. By matching riders traveling similar routes, the platform aims to keep delays minimal—averaging no more than 8 extra minutes per trip—while providing a trusted, campus-based network.
Key Benefits:
- Cost Savings: Rides are priced up to 20% less than standard UberX fares.
- Sustainability: Reducing the number of individual vehicles helps lower traffic congestion and emissions across Bloomington.
- Safety & Community: Rides are limited to IU students, faculty, and staff, ensuring you are sharing your commute with fellow university members.
Getting Started: A Step-by-Step Guide
To access the new feature, users must complete a one-time verification process:
- Enroll: Visit the secure enrollment form provided by IU and create an Uber account.
- Verify: Enter your IU credentials to link your identity to your Uber account.
- Ride: Once approved, “HoosierShare” will appear as a vehicle option within the Uber app alongside traditional choices like UberX.
The university is offering a special incentive for early adopters. The first 10,000 riders to sign up will receive $5 off their first HoosierShare trip.
Service Area & Restrictions
To maintain efficiency, HoosierShare operates within a specific “IU Ride” service zone. All trips must both begin and end within these boundaries:
| Direction | Boundary Limit |
| North | West Vernal Pike / Lower Cascades Park |
| South | Dillman Road / Whippoorwill Hill area |
| East | Smith Road and surrounding neighborhoods |
| West | Karst Farm Park area |
Important Rules to Remember
While the service offers significant savings, there are a few specific guidelines for users:
- One Person Per Booking: You cannot “bring a friend” on a HoosierShare booking. Each request is for a single seat only. If traveling in a group, users should continue to use UberX.
- Capacity: A vehicle will hold a maximum of three passengers from different parties.
- Availability: If you do not see the option in your app after signing up, ensure your IU affiliation has been fully verified through the secure portal.
For more information or technical support, the university directs users to contact Uber customer service at 1-800-314-2308.
