OU's SafeRide bus, which safely transports students to their homes from area bars, is an increasingly popular mode of transportation for many OU students.

SafeRide



* An average of 241 students rode SafeRide each week last spring.



* So far this semester, an average of 312 students rode SafeRide each week.



* A total of 3,034 students used the service last spring.



* SafeRide contracts with Yellow Cab taxis to supplement its busing service.



Source:

www.ou.edu/oupd/saferide.htm

A growing number of students have used the buses since its launch in September 2004, said Brandon Brooks, university student programs specialist for Student Affairs.

"In the last eight weeks of class in the spring we averaged 241 students each weekend. So far this semester, we have averaged 312 students each weekend," Brooks said.

Brooks said last spring, SafeRide gave rides to 3,034 students, and he expects those numbers to increase this semester.

According to the service's Web site, the SafeRide van will shuttle passengers to OU housing, apartments and greek houses from local night spots like Campus Corner from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The service is open not only to those who drink, but also to all who want a safe ride home.

Brooks said he hopes to continue to see increases in SafeRide's numbers as students become better acquainted with the system.

"An increase in the number of students using SafeRide is absolutely positive," Brooks said.

In addition to the buses, SafeRide uses Yellow Cab's taxis to ensure students get home safely.

Bob Vanderberry, Yellow Cab taxi driver, said he frequently picks up those who cannot be accommodated by the SafeRide bus.

"I think [SafeRide] is a pretty good thing they've got going. Some of the people I pick up have no business driving," Vanderberry said.

Advocates of this student service said they hope to see the student body become more informed about SafeRide's benefits and take advantage of them.

Mark Weigt, mechanical engineering junior, works for the Norman metro system and recently volunteered to drive for SafeRide. He said he believes the numbers will increase even more once students realize there are no strings attached.

"If people understood that they aren't going to check IDs, we'd have more participation," Weigt said.

Weigt said the service can help prevent problems related to driving after drinking alcohol.

"If [students] are going to drink anyway, at least we can provide them a safe ride home," Weigt said.

Students, both those who are of age and those who are under 21, said they choose SafeRide because of its "no questions asked" policy.

"We have been very forward with students that they do not need to provide a reason to use this service," Brooks said. "It is important for students to trust SafeRide in order for it to be a success."

SafeRide's accessibility and cost make it a sensible choice for students who may have otherwise driven drunk, some students said.

Patterson Simms, communications senior, and her friends Lyndsay Mendenhall and Emily Venk, also seniors, were about to walk home from Campus Corner last week when the SafeRide bus pulled up. The women said they opted to ride SafeRide for a number of reasons.

"I ride SafeRide because it's convenient and I can get home safe," Simms said.

Simms said she is also fond of SafeRide's price. In light of recent gas prices, SafeRide has become an even wiser alternative to getting behind the wheel after drinking.

Brooks said Student Affairs has worked hard to get the word out about SafeRide.

"Students will find ads in The Oklahoma Daily each week about SafeRide. SafeRide business cards can be found at various locations throughout campus and will soon be found in local restaurants and bars," Brooks said. "We are also in the process of adding new information to the SafeRide Web site."
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