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. 

The service is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 pm.  Please find the Access Shuttle OnCall schedule here.

RISD community members who need assistance should call RISD Public Safety at (401) 454-6376.

Who May Use Access Shuttle?

Any currently enrolled student, faculty, or staff member of Brown University with a permanent or temporary disability may request this service.

How to use Access Shuttle

Registering

  • For employee accommodations University Human Resources will be administering accommodation requests for faculty and staff 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. 
  • Access Student shuttle riders must register with the Student Accessibility Services Office and provide documentation of their disability and need for the service.
  • Registration forms (an Information and Release Form and a Access OnCall Shuttle Schedule Form) 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.

Scheduling Rides

  • Once registered with SAS and approved to use the service, a potential rider must complete a SAS 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 will be updated per rider request.
  • Studens should provide ride information weekly directly to [email protected] . Riders are asked to provide 24-hour notice of any schedule change.
  • Changes are usually submitted to the Dispatcher by email or by phone at (401) 225-9572. Riders may contact the SAS shuttle dispatcher directly through First Transit 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.

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Points

  • 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 frequently use the shuttle to get to class, to move between classes, and to reach dining halls, the library, and the athletic center.
  • Riders cannot be picked up or dropped off at off-campus locations unless it is their home address and within the OnCall coverage area.

Policies

  • 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 cancelled 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 First Transit, the Access Shuttle provider, at (401) 521-0730.

Please note: If the University closes and cancels classes due to inclement weather, Access Shuttle OnCall will NOT operate.

Contact Information

  • SAS Office: Erin Karalekas, (401) 863-9588
  • SAS Director: Karen Andrews, (401) 863-9588
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Broadspire (employees) :1-888-599-8576