The University of South Carolina now has a new way to get home from a night out on the town. Student Body President Michael Parks announced the implementation of USC Safe Ride program on Wednesday afternoon.
USC has partnered with Uber to give students a 25 percent discount on Uber Safe Rides from Five Points to their homes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The pilot period of the program will run from Sept. 8 to Oct. 1 or until funding runs out.
To take advantage of the program, students must register for an Uber account using their USC email address and enter the code “USCSAFE16.” Students must order their Uber within the limits of the designated Uber pickup zone and be dropped off within the dropoff zone. Maps displaying these geographic areas will be available to students.
"I think the impact can be enormous. I really think that a lot of our students are paying for their own Ubers already,” Parks said. “It's 2016; it's time for us to adapt to the changes going on technologically in our world. So I see this as something that can only grow further and further for our students.”
The new USC Safe Rides program will replace the former Carolina Cab program, a free cab service offered to students Thursday-Saturday nights in Five Points. Other safe ride and travel programs offered by USC, such as Gotcha Rides and Walk Home Cocky, will continue to be available to students.
The idea for USC Safe Rides originates from student body treasurer Stinson Rogers’s campaign last spring. Student government has worked relentlessly to bring this program to the USC student body, and members are excited to see the program finally launch.
"I think it is very clear to say that the safety of our students late night in Columbia, South Carolina is a priority for your student government," Parks said. If the pilot of USC Safe Rides is successful, Parks hopes that there will be a longer contract negotiated between Uber and USC to continue to provide a safe way home.
More information about USC Safe Rides as well as the pick up and drop off zone maps can be found at t.uber.com/usc-safe-rides