By Crystal Luong
News Assistant
After months of waiting, the Student Government Association’s Safe Rides Program has officially launched into full operation.
Students can now take advantage of Safe Rides whether in an emergency, stranded by a broken car or in a condition that prohibits driving and get discounted cab fare either to campus or their off-campus residence.
According to Nova Wood, SGA Safe Rides committee chair, the unofficial mission of Safe Rides is, “To make sure all Pepperdine students have a safe ride back to campus no matter what.”
In contract with the Independent Taxi Owners Association, students are a phone call away from receiving discounted, guaranteed taxi rides from any point off campus.
Upon dialing for the ITOA dispatch, students are required to state their request for a “Safe Ride” trip. Thereafter, they must present a valid Seaver College ID and at least one other form of ID with their name on it to the taxi driver prior to the ride.
Students are responsible for paying a portion of the ride based on the length of the trip, while a Special Projects Fund covers the remaining cost. However, students are not required to tip the taxi driver because a flat rate tip will be paid through the funds.
A trip under 10 miles means a student pays 25 percent of the taxi trip’s cost. From 10-25 miles, the student covers 35 percent. Between 26-35 miles, the student pays 50 percent. The student pays any costs beyond 35 miles.
The program is completely anonymous, Wood said. ITOA only verifies that Safe Rides users are official Pepperdine students and then provides a monthly report to the SGA based on the number of rides given during the previous month.
SGA will be billed using meter receipts that all ITOA taxi drivers are equipped with.
The goal of Safe Rides this semester is to serve at least 500 students.
“I think it’s a good idea because it will offer people a way out of dangerous situations,” Freshmen SGA Senator Trevor McLaren said. “If I thought that I were in an uncomfortable situation, I would use it.”
Within the next week, students will all receive informational brochures detailing Safe Rides and key chains with the taxi number, 800-521-TAXI. In addition, a Safe Rides Web site is under construction to provide further information and serve as a resource for inquiries.
“This is totally for the students,” Wood said. “It’s Pepperdine’s way of saying that we care and it’s a way for you to get home safely.”
A Safe Rides proposal was first introduced at an SGA meeting in fall 2001. The original plan for the program had logistical problems because there was no system to prevent students from abusing the privilege for free rides.
Similar to the original plan, the revised Safe Rides Program works based on a trust system. “It’s basically an honor code,” Wood said. “We can’t monitor it that closely because of the anonymity, but it’s not for use whenever you need a ride to the airport. It’s for when your car breaks down or if something happens like your taxi never comes.”
The revised Safe Rides Program was originally scheduled to kick off last fall. However, the program faced obstacles among the administration and students.
“Due to all the change in administration the past semester, they really wanted to look at the program again,” SGA President Ben Elliott said. “With all the questions on the first Safe Rides program, I think the administration wanted it to be discussed further.
“They wanted to look at what a Safe Rides program really means because a lot thought of it as a designated driver program. It was up to SGA to present it as how it’s meant to be for every student, if you drink or don’t drink. Chances are, in your four years of Pepperdine life, you will be in a dangerous situation.”
“A lot of students are hesitant about Safe Rides because they think it supports (drinking),” Wood said. “Once they get all of the information, they will really reevaluate it and I encourage them to read everything and ask questions. I think a lot of people will be excited about it once they find out it’s anonymous and for other situations.”
Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Mark Davis signed the Safe Rides contract with ITOA Nov. 25. Elliott signed the contract Dec. 9. There is no set budget yet for Safe Rides because it is still a pilot program with an unpredictable number of participants.
This semester serves as a trial period for the pilot program of Safe Rides. By contract, the Safe Rides program will end April 14, at which time it will undergo evaluations for recommendations and changes.
Wood will head the evaluations and meter receipts will be reviewed.
Also, questionnaires will be posted on the Safe Rides Web site for students to provide feedback on the program.
“I think it’s important to note that we’re committed to this program and there’s been several phases where it could’ve been dropped, but we did carry it through,” Elliott said. “I think the longer Safe Rides exists, the more comfortable people will be using it.
“And honestly,” Elliott continued. “If one person either by drinking, falling asleep at the wheel, or their car breaks down, gets home safely, then I personally am willing to spend as much money as possible on saving one student. It’s that important.”
Facts about safe rides:
Q: When can I use it?
A: Only when you need a ride back to campus or your off-campus residence.
Q: Which company to use?
A: Independent Taxi Owners Association.
Q: What’s their number?
A: 800-521-TAXI (8294)
Q: Will I get busted for drinking?
A: Safe Rides is anonymous. ID is only required to verify attendance at Pepperdine.
Cab fare rates
Within 10 miles of campus: Students pay 25 percent of total
From 10-25 miles of campus: Students pay 35 percent of total
From 10-25 miles of campus: Students pay 35 percent of total
From 26-35 miles of campus: Students pay 50 percent of total
Students pay all of the fare beyond 35 miles.
January 16, 2003
