Transportation

Brown Access Shuttle

The Brown Access Shuttle service is primarily a reservation-based transport for members of the Brown community who have disabilities and need assistance getting around campus.

How Access Shuttle Works

Any currently enrolled student, faculty, or staff member of Brown University with a permanent or temporary disability may request this service. RISD community members who need assistance should call RISD Public Safety at (401) 454-6376.

For Employees

Employee accommodations are administered by University Human Resources in partnership with Broadspire, a third-party administrator. Faculty and staff requesting a reasonable accommodation will be required to call Broadspire at 1-888-599-8576. 

For Students

Student accommodations are administered by the Student Accessibility Services Office (SAS). Registration forms and detailed information about documenting a disability are available in the SAS office (located at 69 Brown Street, Page-Robinson Hall, 5th Floor, Room 516) or on the SAS website. 

All paperwork must be completed and approved by the SAS Director before service use begins; however, the onset of a disability can be unpredictable and may necessitate using the service on a provisional basis while paperwork is completed. In this event, registration materials can be provided by the driver when the initial ride is requested and faxed to SAS or returned to the driver when completed.

Once registered and approved to use the service, a potential rider must complete an Access Shuttle Schedule Form. The majority of the riders using the service will need rides on a regular basis and will have a set schedule for each day of the week. Schedules can be updated per rider request. 

Students should provide ride information weekly directly to access-shuttle@brown.edu.

Riders are asked to provide 24-hour notice of any schedule change. Changes are submitted to the Dispatcher by email or by phone at (401) 225-9572. Riders may contact the SAS shuttle dispatcher directly through TransDev for same-day changes in the event they must miss, cancel, or add a ride. Rides may be rescheduled if the driver believes there will be time in the regular schedule to accommodate the change.

  • Riders arrange specific, on-campus pick-up and drop-off points based on their needs.
  • The timing for pick-up and drop-off may require some flexibility and patience while other riders are collected.
  • Riders cannot be picked up or dropped off at off-campus locations unless it is their home address and within the OnCall coverage area.
  • Riders are expected to be on time and to provide notice if they will be late or need to cancel a ride.
  • Schedule changes and any change in disability-related needs must be reported to the Access Dispatcher immediately.
  • If the University remains open, Access Shuttle OnCall will operate unless road conditions become hazardous.
  • If Access Shuttle service must be canceled and the University has not closed, the SAS Dispatcher will contact riders to alert them that the service has stopped for the day.
  • Once service is canceled for the day, it will not resume until the next day that the University is open.
  • In the event of an accident or emergency, the Access Shuttle driver will contact the SAS office as soon as circumstances permit.
  • Complaints should be directed to the SAS Office at (401) 863-9588 or directly to TransDev, the Access Shuttle provider, at (401) 521-0730.

If the University closes and/or cancels classes due to inclement weather, Access Shuttle OnCall will not operate.

Contact Information

Student inquiries should be directed to Student Accessibility Services (SAS).

Employee inquiries should be directed to Broadspire, the third-party administrator who partners with University Human Resources.

  • Broadspire (employees)
    1-888-599-8576