Last night new student transportation service Safe Ride, a shuttle running to and from the Square, debuted. The service starts on Thursdays and ends on Saturday nights.
Safe Ride stops include the areas at Martin/Stockard, Kincannon/Ridges intersection, Brown/Crosby intersection, Sorority Row by Phi Mu, Fraternity Row behind Sigma Chi, the parking lot behind Kappa Alpha Order and Phi Kappa Tau and University Trails. The buses will run on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and on Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Safe Ride will not run during sorority recruitment weekend, Thanksgiving and final exam week.
Gabriella Gonzaba, the president of Students for a Safe Ride, said students should be very involved with the organization.
“We want to promote safety on our campus and in the Oxford community,” Gonzaba said
Gonzaba said the Safe Ride buses will also help cut down on the amount of vehicles on the Square.
Safe Ride has two 45-passenger-seat buses, one handicap-accessible van and a driver who is authorized to drive the buses.
“We have a driver that’s secure to drive those kinds of vehicles; that was our main problem in the past,” Gonzaba said. “As the year goes on, we will see if we need to add some more.”
Gonzaba said even though the organization is new, they are hoping to make all of the necessary changes and plans to make Safe Ride as efficient as possible.
“We are working with other organizations on campus in the future for fundraising that involves keeping students safe,” Gonzaba said.
Corbin Smith, a member of Safe Ride, said their key goal right now is to keep students safe and give them a safe way to get to and from campus.
“We don’t promote drinking at all; it’s just a way we want you to be safe,” Smith said. “Walking back from the Square even when you’re sober is dangerous.”
Linda Spargo, faculty advisor of Students for a Safe Ride, said the organization is something she holds close to her heart. She said it’s important that students think about their behavior in Oxford and where in the city they are traveling.
“I think this is a way to promote safety in an alternative choice from getting in your own car,” Spargo said. “The kids who are on the bus are not out there being in danger of being hit by somebody who is under the influence.”
Spargo said that the university has been behind Safe Ride but emphasized that this is an organization that is student-led. Spargo said she knows these students want Safe Ride to be successful and is impressed with their passion.
“It’s one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever been involved with,” Spargo said. “I really do put my head on the pillow at night and think lives are being saved.”
