On-Demand Evening Shuttle Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Rides are booked through the Evening Shuttle app.
- Download the app on your smartphone and login with your Columbia UNI and password.
- If this is your first time using the app, you'll need to create an account.
- Once you're ready, enter your origin and destination to begin requesting your ride.
- Select the offered Evening Shuttle option from the list, or use one of the other Columbia Transportation shuttle options if available.
Students, faculty, and staff with an active UNI and Columbia ID on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses are eligible.
Wait times can vary depending on several conditions. We recommend always checking the Evening Shuttle app to see the most accurate proposed wait times.
- The Evening Shuttle will operate seven days a week from every evening until 3:00 a.m. the following morning. See this page for start times based on time of year.
- You must download the app, sign in with your Columbia UNI and password, and create an account.
- Service is provided only in predetermined zones around the Columbia campus. Qualifying free rides will not be provided outside of these boundaries or between campuses. View the Coverage Area Map to find out where you can ride for free using the Evening Shuttle service.
- Riders can only book a ride for themselves. If you are traveling in a group, each rider needs to request a ride separately.
- Riders must show their Columbia ID card to the driver before boarding the shuttle.
If you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle, please ensure that the "wheelchair accessibility" toggle is switched on in your profile. See the images below for instructions on how to do so.
Via's policy is that service animals must always be welcome to ride without restriction. Driver partners have a legal obligation to provide service to riders with service animals. If a rider is traveling with a service animal and wishes to report a service animal issue, they should contact Via support.
Pick-ups or drop-offs will always be nearby (in front of the requested address, the nearest corner, or at a designated on-campus location). However, note that due to road access and safety concerns, some pick-ups may be a short distance away. Please check the Evening Shuttle app for your exact pick-up location and walking instructions to this location. If you have trouble locating your vehicle you can call your driver by clicking the phone icon within the app.
If you know you can't make your ride, please let us know so that we can give another passenger a ride in your place. You can easily cancel your ride through the Evening Shuttle app by clicking on the “cancel ride” button at the bottom of the app.
- Evening Shuttle does not call you when your car arrives. The app will send you a notification when your vehicle is two minutes away, and a text when the vehicle is at the pick-up location. Please be outside or within visual range of the pick-up location at the estimated time of your pickup.
- Evening Shuttle drivers will be provided Columbia Evening Shuttle logo signage to display, and you should confirm the vehicle type and plate number in the app and ask the driver partner to confirm your name before entering the vehicle. If you don't see your car and the app is indicating your vehicle is at the pick-up, you can call the driver partner directly to coordinate. Due to high demand, as well as Evening Shuttle being shared with other students, we cannot keep other passengers waiting - your driver will only wait for two minutes before reporting you as a no-show.
You can call your driver directly through the Evening Shuttle app to coordinate your pick-up.
Nope! You just won't be able to receive notifications when your ride arrives, so you'll have to be ready and waiting near your pick-up.
In the case of an app outage or technical difficulties, shuttles will assume a set route within the service area, as displayed by this map. Passengers can stand at any location along the route, wave down the Via shuttle, and show their Columbia ID to get a ride to the point on the route closest to their destination.
- Confirm that your request meets the geographic requirements. Rides must start and end within the Columbia Coverage Area.
- Confirm that Evening Shuttle is in service; The Evening Shuttle will operate seven days a week until 3:00 a.m. the following morning. See this page for start times based on season.
Yes! If you just lost the item, be sure to make a note of your car plate number and/or driver's name. Contact Via Support using the Help Center in the app. If the driver found your item, Via Support will help coordinate its return.
Via will charge $100 to cover the cost of cleaning/repairing the vehicle.