Free SafeRide Taxi Service Now Available for University of Iowa Students

Via Iowa Now

The University of Iowa Student Government (UISG), in conjunction with the Executive Council of Graduate and Professional Students (ECGPS) and the Yellow Cab of Iowa City, announce the beginning of a free taxi service called SafeRide for students in unexpected or emergency situations.

UISG President Nic Pottebaum says, "Safe Ride is an initiative by student government to improve the safety of all students.

ECGPS President Michael Appel adds, "Graduate and professional students largely live far off campus, so when safety is in question, it is important for them to have a safe ride home, and this service does exactly that.”

UI Police Department Assistant Vice President and Director of Public Safety Chuck Green says he's very encouraged to hear about another safe transportation option for UI students.

"Congratulations, and thanks to UISG leadership for making this a reality,” Green says.

SafeRide will service all UI students who are in an unexpected or emergency situation on or off campus. The program runs seven days a week from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during the fall and spring semesters.

To receive a SafeRide, the student must call the Safe Ride number, 319-467-HOME or 319-467-4663. An automated Safe Ride message will play and then a Yellow Cab of Iowa City dispatcher will be connected to verify the person calling is a current and registered student at the UI.

Once the taxicab arrives to the student’s applicable Iowa City/Coralville location, a valid photo ID must be presented. The student will also sign a SafeRide slip verifying they are a student, it’s an emergency or unexpected situation, they have a current registered home address in the UI phonebook, and they have not used a SafeRide before during the current semester.

The SafeRide will then take the student to their current home address or medical facility. The SafeRide may only be used once per semester. UI students must have a current home address in Iowa City or Coralville.

For more information, call Pottebaum at 319-335-3860 or visit: uisg.uiowa.edu/saferide/.