Safe Ride has provided the safest way to get from place to place in the campus area for almost 30 years. Students and faculty rely on this service daily for a ride home from work, the library or a ride home from a party.

With Safe Ride, you don’t have to worry about the long, questionable walk home from the opposite side of campus. This shuttle service is expanding to create more rides for people who need them. With more than 40 volunteers and a full staff of 20, there are sometimes up to four vans out in one night. Safe Ride works to minimize the types of crimes you’ll read about in Campus Crime Alerts with the number of rides the service gives each night.

“There are a lot of issues that are becoming more known revolving around sexual assault and other safety issues,” Safe Ride Education Coordinator Carolina Reid said. “And I think people are starting to recognize those things and really appreciate the service.”

Students or faculty who wish to use the service can call anytime during the day or night to set up an appointment. It is better if you call earlier to receive the time you want, but they will try their best to arrange a ride as close as possible to the time you need it. Once you have scheduled a ride, you won’t have to worry about walking home by yourself or feeling unsafe.

“I love not having to look over my shoulder every five minutes when I’m going home from work late at night,” senior Katie Parr said. “I can always rely on Safe Ride.”

The drivers and volunteers work until midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends and are known to be friendly and helpful. They work or volunteer their time to help keep you out of risky and dangerous situations.

“I love Safe Ride. I use it all the time,” junior Christine Orr said. “I think what I like most is how friendly the drivers are and how helpful it is to have a way to get home safely.”