The service dubbed the “personal campus Uber” by some made a comeback last month with the rollout of “TripShot” – a new and convenient app.
The University’s “Safe Ride” program serves to help students travel between and around the University between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Prior to Feb. 17, to utilize the program, students had to call to request a van to pick them up. This method was used during a nearly year-long hiatus where Safe Ride’s app was being updated.
Now, students can download the TripShot app on their phones to place a request for a ride. Students simply need to open the app and select a pickup time and location.
Safe Ride operates by shuttling students between a set of predetermined stops on University property. A student can select any of these stops to be picked up and dropped off.
The program has also expanded operations to Whipple Park, the Eastman Living Center, and the Medical Center. The new stops are designed to allow more than just River Campus undergraduates to take advantage of the program.
According to Andrea Walton, a manager of transportation at the University, an uptick in Safe Ride requests has occurred since introducing the new app. “We are seeing higher usage since introducing the app,” Walton said. “It’s still very new, but we expect continued growth as more students hear about the service and we continue our outreach efforts.”
With the introduction of the app also came more automation: according to Walton, the app dispatches the nearest vehicle for immediate pickup.
This has led to decreased wait times, with an average wait time of 5-10 minutes.
There are also now three vehicles in service rather than one, which has also contributed to decreased wait times.
Walton said that one vehicle will remain in service every night during breaks, a service that was previously unavailable.
All rides are free to UR affiliates with a UR ID.
