Emergency Ride Home program

Emergency Ride Home at IU: Your commuter backup plan

If your day doesn’t go as planned, you’re not stuck.

The Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program gives eligible IU commuters a ride home in the case of unexpected emergencies. It’s part of the Hoosier Commuter Club, so you can choose sustainable transportation with confidence.

What is the Emergency Ride Home program?

ERH reimburses the cost of a ride home when a personal or work-related emergency disrupts your commute. You can take a taxi or rideshare from campus (or your work location) and get reimbursed for the trip.

When can you use Emergency Ride Home?

  • You can use ERH when something unexpected happens during your workday. Common situations:
  • You or a family member becomes sick
  • Your carpool driver leaves early or is unavailable
  • You are required to work unexpected hours
  • Your rideshare or vanpool breaks down
  • ERH is intended for use in true, unplanned emergencies, not routine schedule changes.

Who qualifies for Emergency Ride Home?

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are a Hoosier Commuter Club member
  • Participate in an official IU Carpool
  • Use alternative transportation such as bus, biking, or walking
  • Have an EMV permit (available to faculty and full-time staff)
  • Have a motorcycle permit

ERH is available for when you have used a sustainable mode on the day in question and experience a personal emergency.

How many times can you use it?

  • Up to 3 times per semester
  • Up to 6 times per year

How Emergency Ride Home works

  • Take a ride home. Use Uber, Lyft, or a taxi during your emergency.
  • Save your receipt. Proof of payment is necessary for reimbursement.

The following steps are required for reimbursement.

Step 1: Submit your reimbursement request

Requests must be submitted within 60 days. IU reimburses the cost (up to the first 50 miles of your trip).

Step 2: Log into one.iu.edu. Search for Emburse Enterprise.

Step 3: Create an expense report within Emburse and submit.

What’s covered (and what’s not)

Covered:

  • Ride fare for your trip home (reasonable and necessary costs)
  • Trips originating from campus or your work location
  • One stop along the way (for example, picking up a child or medication)

Not covered:

  • Driver tips
  • Trips that are not emergency-related
  • Additional passengers (unless they qualify separately)

Why Emergency Ride Home matters

ERH removes the biggest barrier to commuting without a car: “What if I need to leave suddenly?”

With ERH, you have a built-in backup plan, so you can:

  • Carpool or rideshare with confidence
  • Take the bus or bike without risk
  • Join Hoosier Commuter Club knowing you’re covered

Quick facts about Emergency Ride Home

  • Free ride home for eligible IU commuters
  • Available for unexpected personal or work emergencies
  • Up to 6 uses per year
  • Covers ride-hailing or taxi trips
  • Reimbursement required within 60 days