Beginning in 2007, the University of Iowa and UI Police began the Nite Ride program, offering women safe rides home in shuttles operated by uniformed UI Department of Public Safety guards. Starting today, the service will be extended to people of all genders.
“Many of the fears we initially had about offering a co-ed ride service have not played out on other campuses, and we felt it was time to revisit our own safe-ride program while looking to our peers for the best way to improve,” said UI Public Safety officer Alton Poole in a press release by the University of Iowa.
Additional changes are coming to the Nite Ride program as well, as students will now be able to request pickups via the Transloc Rider mobile app. Much like other ride request apps (such as Uber or Lyft), students will receive real-time data regarding the location and approximate arrival time of the Nite Ride shuttle.
The Transloc Rider app is available for free download on iOS and Android. Nite Ride will continue to be available to students and staff without the use of the app or smartphone by calling the UI Department of Public Safety at (319) 384-1111 and requesting a pickup.
“We know all students need a safe mode of transportation at night, and we’re excited not only to expand this service, but to make it more user-friendly,” said Poole.
