Off-Campus Student Life to expand CatCab program this fall

About two weeks ago, Off-Campus Student Life (OCSL) — a program funded by the Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU) — signed a contract with the ride-share company Uber to expand its CatCab program.

CatCab is a cab service for MSU students that was first introduced on Halloween weekend in 2024 to reduce drunk driving and get students out of unsafe situations, according to Rebecca Eberlin, OCSL’s program manager.

Eberlin said the program was a collaboration between OCSL and Jacob Zink, the Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU) president at that time.

“Initially, it was sort of concepted as a private cab service run by students, for students, but with the same end goal in mind: Students would be able to access free and safe rides to help alleviate drunk and impaired driving,” Eberlin said

According to her, the pilot program was a huge hit, so OCSL proceeded to provide CatCab services for additional weekends later in the semester.

“It was tremendously successful — huge engagement, really positive student feedback — so we immediately added a few more weekends of service to the program,” Eberlin said.

Now, CatCab is collaborating with Uber to operate every weekend of the academic year outside of summer and winter break.

“Once the program is in full swing, we'll be able to, during the academic year, offer every currently enrolled MSU student a number of Uber vouchers that can be used over Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays off all of the weekends that school is in session,” Eberlin said.

She also said that an undetermined number of vouchers will be given to students each semester.

“You can use [the vouchers] to get really anywhere within a 10 to 15-mile radius of Montana Hall, which should get you out to Belgrade and should get you out to Four Corners as well, so it’s not just the Bozeman city limits,” Eberlin said.

According to a 2026 Forbes report, Montana ranked number one in the nation for drunk driving fatalities. Additionally, 21 to 24-year-olds had the highest percentages of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes across the U.S. in 2021.

With CatCab in the mix, Eberlin said that number will hopefully shrink on campus.

“[Students] can just take advantage of an Uber entirely for free, get themselves home safely, and then you don’t have to worry about being in unsafe situations — whatever those unsafe situations may be.

“[CatCab] exists to provide that service so that students don’t feel like they have to leave a party at one in the morning and walk three miles in the snow,” Eberlin said. “Or they don’t feel like they have to get behind the wheel of a car when they’ve had a few too many drinks.”

Human development major Patrick Olsen echoed this statement. “I think something like [CatCab] would be beyond helpful,” he said.

Olsen said that one advantage of CatCab is its use of Uber.

“Honestly, Uber’s a bit better than cabs, because first off, cabs, they nickel and dime you for every bit of money they can,” Olsen said.

According to ASMSU President Lenny Triem, the contract between OCSL and Uber will be in effect for three years.

“During that time, I don’t expect it to continue to expand, but after that time is up, we’ll evaluate whether or not we want to renew that contract,” Triem said. “That will be up to the student leaders at that point in time, and whether they want to expand it as well.”

Since CatCab is not in effect just yet, there is no website to create an account or redeem vouchers, but students can find CatCab’s information page on the OCSL website.