UNBSJ’s Safe Ride shuttle service just got better!
Launched in September 2012, this program has been providing students with a viable alternative to city transit and expensive taxi cabs. Based on the success seen thus far, the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) has announced an expansion to the hours of operation, giving students more flexibility during the school week.
The shuttle van can accommodate single passengers or small groups and now operates five days a week, from 6 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, with slightly reduced hours on Tuesdays (9 p.m. to midnight). Inquiries about the coverage area can made at www.unbsrc.ca/services/safe-ride.
Based on UNBSJ’s location, many students chose to drive themselves to school and back. For the rest of us, transportation can be somewhat tricky, especially during the evenings and weekends. Safe Ride alleviates many of these potential headaches. For example, Saint John’s city transit becomes problematic for those with evening classes, especially during the winter months, since bus service for many neighborhoods around the city stops by 10 p.m. These benefits extend to those who live on campus, allowing these students to easily transport groceries back to residence. The shuttle van can also double as designated drivers for students attending SRC events with alcohol, or those who have just been studying for way too long.
To book a ride, simply call the Safe Ride Hotline at (506) 650-0052, or just press the Safe Ride button on the payphone located outside the cafeteria.
For those who have forgotten the hotline number in the past (myself included), adding the hotline number as a cell phone contact serves as a great reminder. Lastly, Safe Ride is free, but remember to have a current Student ID available since non-students are unable to utilize the service.
The only hurtle facing the program has been lack of awareness, so spread the word! Your pedestrian friends will certainly thank you.