In an effort to meet increased requests from the University of Michigan community, SafeRide recently launched a mobile application and began piloting extended hours of operation.
SafeRide, provided by Logistics, Transportation & Parking, is a free service available to all U-M faculty, staff and students, and provides rides within a one-mile radius of the Central and North campuses. The new hours of operation are from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily during the fall and winter terms, expanding from a previous start time of 10 p.m.
“SafeRide serves to facilitate a safe and reliable evening or late-night commute choice for students, faculty and staff needing to access residences or other destinations,” says Steve Dolen, director of LT&P. “With safety as a high priority of our operations, we are pleased to be able to pilot the expanded service hours and new mobile application.”
The new start time will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. SafeRide is typically requested 1,200 times a month.
A mobile application also was launched this fall. It tracks the locations of the three SafeRide vans, enables ride requests, provides estimated wait times and pickup notification, and shows nearby U-M bus stops and route information.
For example, when a nearby U-M bus stop and service is available, the app may suggest an alternative way to reach a destination more quickly than waiting for a SafeRide van.
LT&P offers additional transit services to meet special needs and to fill in gaps between regular service hours. For more information, visit pts.umich.edu/transit/after-hours.php.
