Shuttle FAQ

SafeRide program
I often work late. Can I call someone for a ride to my car?
Where can I find the SafeRide schedule?

SafeRide OnDemand program
What are the hours for the SafeRide OnDemand shuttle service at MIT?
I’m a first-time user. How do I get started with the TransLoc program?
Do I have to sign up for a TransLoc account?
How do I request a ride?
I’ve confirmed my ride. Now what?
What happens if I log out and want to log back in again?
Can I schedule a pickup in advance?
How do I cancel a ride request?
How do I know when my vehicle will arrive?
What vehicles are used by SafeRide during OnDemand mode? What should I look for?
Do I have to share the OnDemand shuttle with other riders, or will the van take me directly to my drop-off location?
Can I schedule a SafeRide OnDemand ride with one pickup location but multiple drop-off locations for my friends and me?
I’m with a large group of friends, and we all need a ride. How many riders can the van pick up?
Can I request more than one ride at a time?
As a rider with disabilities, can I request a wheelchair-enabled vehicle?
Will the SafeRide shuttle buses continue to travel their routes after 11 PM even though the OnDemand vans are now available?
If I see a SafeRide OnDemand van going by, can I flag it down for a ride?
What is the designated SafeRide OnDemand zone?
How do I save addresses for future use?
Who can I call if I have additional questions?

Scooters and skateboards
Can I take my skateboard, bike, or scooter on an MIT campus shuttle?

Note: to view the TransLoc FAQ, visit their page and click “OnDemand”

SafeRide

I often work late. Can I call someone for a ride to my car?

The SafeRide shuttles are available from 6 PM – 2:30 AM Sunday-Wednesday, and 6 PM – 3:30 AM Thursday-Saturday. As described below, the shuttles switch into an OnDemand mode after 11 PM (starting on Monday, February 12, 2018). After all SafeRide services have ended for the night, the MIT Police will accommodate requests for after-hour safety rides until daylight. Visit the SafeRide home page for more information on routes and times, or email mitparking@mit.edu for a brochure.

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Where can I find the SafeRide schedule?

Visit the SafeRide home page to link to the SafeRide routes and schedule.

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SafeRide OnDemand program

What are the hours for the SafeRide OnDemand shuttle service at MIT?

• MIT’s SafeRide OnDemand shuttle service is available Sunday-Wednesday, 11 PM to 2:30 AM (last request by 2:00 AM) and Thursday-Saturday, 11 PM to 3:30 AM (last request by 3:00 AM).
• During these hours, fixed-route SafeRide shuttles are not running and will not visit designated stops at scheduled intervals. Only the OnDemand shuttle vans are available.
• Note that you must request a ride at least 15 minutes before the end of service. This means requesting a ride by 2:00 AM at the latest Sunday-Wednesday and by 3:00 AM at the latest Thursday-Saturday.

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I’m a first-time user. How do I get started with the TransLoc program?

1. You can visit the TransLoc Rider site and download the mobile app from
    there, or you can visit the TransLoc Rider OnDemand site to access the
    program from a browser.

2. If you are using the mobile app, launch the app and look for the OnDemand
    icon (a blue circle with a rider figure). Tap on this icon to reach the login
    screen. (You skip this step if you are accessing the program online.)

3. On the login screen, bypass the “username / password / create account”
    fields. Scroll down through the list of universities and choose “MIT Transit.”
    Note: To connect correctly with MIT’s OnDemand service, you should always
    login by choosing “MIT Transit” instead of entering a username and
    password.

4. This launches MIT’s Duo second-factor authentication process. You will
    need a certificate or your Kerberos username and password.

5. Create a TransLoc account. Note: The account set-up pulls information
    from your MIT directory listing. Consider providing your cell phone number
    in the phone field if you would like to receive text message updates for
    your ride requests.

    If you already have a TransLoc account, you will be prompted to add the
    MIT Transit agency to your account.

6. Select the MIT “agency” on the next screen. Scroll down and select
    “MIT Transit.”

7. You will be taken to TransLoc Rider’s Select Pickup screen. You can then
    proceed to request a ride.

8. Note that we recommend signing in for the first time even before you make
    your first ride request. That way, when you need a ride, the app is ready
    for your request.

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Do I have to sign up for a TransLoc account?

TransLoc recommends that you create a TransLoc account, including a username and password, even though you won’t be using them in your sign-in process. This will enable TransLoc to provide support to you if you have an issue with the application.

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How do I request a ride during the OnDemand SafeRide mode?

1. Launch the TransLoc Rider app or visit the TransLoc Rider site.

2. If you are using the mobile app, look for and tap the OnDemand icon
    (a blue circle with a rider figure). You skip this step if you are accessing
    the program online.

3. If you need to login, bypass the “username / password / create account”
    fields and choose “MIT Transit” from the list of universities; sign in using
    your MIT Kerberos account or certificate.

4. Select your pickup location: The SELECT PICKUP screen shows your
    location on a map. You can select a pickup location in one of three ways:

a. Type an address into the search bar. Tip: if you enter “77 Mass
    Ave”…make sure to select “Cambridge,” not “Boston” (Boston may
    auto-fill in your drop-down options).

b. Use the left-side navigation to access My Addresses, and select a
    stored address from the list you have created; or

c. Drag the map on the screen to align the green pickup pin with your
    current location. This is useful if you aren’t sure of your exact address.

Tap or click on the SELECT PICKUP bar. (Note that you can only request an OnDemand ride during the hours when OnDemand service is available.)

5. Select your drop-off location: On the next screen, select a drop-off location
    using one of the same three methods used for pickup. Tap or click on the
    SELECT DROP-OFF bar.

    Note: if you try to enter a pickup or drop-off address that is outside the
    MIT SafeRide zone, you will receive an error message.

6. Enter the number of passengers on the Passenger Details screen, and if
    you need a wheelchair-accessible van, check the box on this screen.

7. Finally, review your ride information on the final screen and select
    CONFIRM RIDE if the details are all correct.

8. The confirmation screen will display the expected wait time.

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I’ve confirmed my ride. Now what?

• Rides are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. The average wait time for a ride is about 15 minutes, but your wait time may be shorter or longer depending on demand.
• When you are the next pickup, you will be able to track the shuttle’s progress on your app or online. (If you closed the ride screen, you can re-open it from the My Rides page, accessible in the left-hand navigation.)
• If you have an account and have provided your cell number, you will also receive an SMS text message notification informing you that the van is on its way to you.
• You will receive another SMS text message when the van has arrived at your pickup location.

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What happens if I log out and want to log back in again?

• On the login screen, bypass the username/password fields and login by selecting “MIT Transit” from the university login list below.
• This launches the MIT Duo authentication process, and you will need a certificate or your MIT Kerberos ID to login. Authentication at each login helps us ensure that only verified MIT users are requesting the OnDemand shuttle service.
• When you log back in, your ride info will be accessible from the My Rides page.
• Note that if you try to login with your username and password instead of with your MIT Kerberos information, you will be unable to connect correctly with MIT’s OnDemand shuttle service.
• We recommend that you stay logged in to the app or program. That way, when you need a ride, OnDemand is ready for your request.

Can I schedule a pickup in advance?

No. You can only place a pickup request during hours of operation (Sunday-Wednesday, 11 PM to 2:30 AM, and Thursday-Saturday, 11 PM to 3:30 AM). Once you place a request, the shuttle will begin to travel to you, usually arriving within 15 minutes.

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How do I cancel a ride request?

• You can cancel a ride at any time by tapping the CANCEL RIDE button on the ride screen. A small window will pop up and ask you to confirm that you are canceling.
• If you logged out, you can log back in and use the left-hand menu to select My Rides. Select the ride you want to cancel, and then tap or click on CANCEL RIDE.
• If you have provided your cell phone number to TransLoc, you will also receive a text message confirming that you have canceled the ride.

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How do I know when my vehicle will arrive?

• On the ride screen, you will see an estimated pickup time. The average wait time for a ride is about 15 minutes, but your wait time may be shorter or longer depending on demand.
• Once you are next in line for pickup, you will be able to track the van’s progress on the ride screen. If you included a cell number in your account, you will also receive an SMS text message telling you the van is on its way. (If you have logged out, you can log back in and go to My Rides in the left-hand menu to re-open the ride screen.) Usually, the van is less than 5 minutes away at this point.
• When the van arrives at your location, you will receive another text message to let you know.

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What vehicles are used by SafeRide during OnDemand mode? What should I look for?

The SafeRide OnDemand shuttle vehicles are 14-passenger vans. Note: They are different from the fixed-route shuttle buses that travel to designated stops during the earlier part of the evening.

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Do I have to share the OnDemand shuttle with other riders, or will the van take me directly to my drop-off location?

The OnDemand shuttle will consolidate pickups, picking up riders who are requesting rides from the same general area. Other riders may be on the shuttle during your ride.

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Can I schedule a SafeRide OnDemand ride with one pickup location but multiple drop-off locations for my friends and me?

No. Passengers going to different destinations should login separately to request a ride. The same van may pick up everyone in the group, but the separate drop-off locations will be entered into the system.

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I’m with a large group of friends, and we all need a ride. How many riders can the van pick up?

Each SafeRide OnDemand van can accommodate 14 riders.

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Can I request more than one ride at a time?

No. If you need to change your ride or schedule a new one, you must cancel the ride you currently have scheduled.

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As a rider with disabilities, can I request a wheelchair-enabled vehicle?

Yes. You can select “Wheelchair access required” on the Passenger Details screen when you are requesting a ride. Only wheelchair-enabled vehicles will be dispatched to riders who select this option.

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Will the SafeRide shuttle buses continue to travel their routes after 11 PM even though the OnDemand vans are now available?

No. Once the SafeRide shuttle has switched into OnDemand mode at 11 PM, the fixed-route shuttle buses that travel from stop to stop will stop service for the evening.

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If I see a SafeRide OnDemand van going by, can I flag it down for a ride?

No. The OnDemand shuttle will only pick up riders who have requested a ride through TransLoc Rider.

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What is the designated SafeRide OnDemand zone?

You can view the pickup and drop-off zone here. This is a “geo-fence” zone that defines where the SafeRide OnDemand shuttle will travel. The OnDemand shuttle will only pick you up and drop you off at locations within the zone, which covers the same areas covered by the fixed-route shuttles earlier in the evening.

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How do I save addresses for future use?

Use the left-hand menu to navigate to My Addresses, and follow the steps outlined on the screen. Use the Label bar to give your address a specific nickname. Then save the address and add others if you wish.

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Who can I call if I have additional questions?

• The SafeRide manager can be reached at 617-253-2997 from 5 PM to end of service (2:30 AM Sun-Wed, or 3:30 AM Thurs-Sat).
• For further information about SafeRide, call 617-258-6510 from 8 AM–5 PM or send an email to saferide@mit.edu.

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Scooters and Skateboards

Can I take my skateboard, bike, or scooter on an MIT campus shuttle?

If your electric or kick scooter is foldable, you can take it on most MIT campus shuttles (Tech Shuttle, Boston Daytime, EZRide, and SafeRide). Skateboards are also allowed on those shuttles. Bicycles are not allowed on shuttles.

Shuttle riders should observe the following safety precautions (or may be asked to disembark):

• Only foldable electric and kick scooters (designed to fold for storage) can be brought onboard.
• Keep your skateboard or scooter in front of you at your seat.
• Do not take up additional seats with your skateboard or scooter.
• Do not let your skateboard or scooter take up space in the aisle.
• Keep in mind that if your skateboard or scooter is not secured in front of you at your seat, it can impede other riders or shuttle operators who need to move through the vehicle.

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