SafeRide has provided UNC Charlotte with daytime disability and evening safety transport since 2008 and every semester, the volume of people using SafeRide has increased.

Too much of a good thing at night

On-demand service during evening hours often had lengthy wait-times, primarily because SafeRide drivers were delayed due to calls where no one was actually there for the pick-up. This occurred for a lot of reasons: maybe the caller caught another ride, got tired of waiting and walked, took the Shuttle, or didn’t recognize the SafeRide vehicle. Regardless of why it happened, the result is that others were left waiting while SafeRide drivers looked for those who phoned for a ride but didn’t stay put and didn’t cancel. Calls backed up and wait times lengthened unnecessarily.

SafeRide to operate differently in 2012-13

Clearly SafeRide needed to change in order to serve the campus population more efficiently. So, based on historical data of where people have needed to go and when, SafeRide will no longer have on-demand dispatch but be prearranged for those needing disability transport during the day and provide point-to-point service for everyone at night.

The specifics:

SafeRide Weekday Accessibility Transport: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm

During daytime hours, SafeRide provides disability transport throughout the inner core of campus for those with ongoing mobility impairments who have registered for the service. Services require preregistration through the Office of Disability Services and completion of a Disability Medical Verification Request form. SafeRide is also available to those who need assistance on a temporary basis (such as recent surgery, lower limb injuries, visual impairments, or chronic diseases that impact stamina). This is also arranged through the Office of Disability Services, Fretwell 230 (704-687-4355). After completion of the required form, Disability Services will verify and send email confirmation of eligibility (usually processed within 24 hours or less).

SafeRide Evening Safety Transport: Seven days a week, 6:00 pm to 2:30 am

SafeRide makes getting around campus safer, faster, and easier after dark, providing reliable, scheduled stops all around campus every 15-20 minutes.

Service stop list:

• Student Union (at the bus shelter)
• Miltimore Hall
• Wallis Hall
• Witherspoon Hall
• Maple Hall at Lot 16
• Hickory Hall at Mary Alexander
• North Deck (at bus shelter)
• Motorsports (at Robert Snyder)
• *CRI Deck (at bus shelter) *when it opens in September)
• Duke Hall at Robert Snyder
• EPIC at Phillips Rd.
• SAC by loading dock (near Woodward courtyard)
• Lot 7 (beside Cone Deck by Belk Gym)
• Reese Bldg. (at Broadrick Blvd by Colvard curb)
• MSU Lot
• Scott Hall
• Robinson Hall
• East Deck 2 (at bus shelter)
• Lot 5A
• Martin Village (at Lot 6 by Building P)
• Lot 6A
• Greek Village (2-stops; by the mailboxes and Building 8)
• Hawthorn Hall
• Fretwell (at bus shelter between back of Fretwell and McEniry)
• Atkins Library (Library Lane entrance)

Here's a stop map image file. Here's a stop map PDF.

It will take some getting used to

Service modifications always require some adjustment, but Parking and Transportation Services is sure that once everyone gets used to the changes, the result will be greater satisfaction with SafeRide. Consistent timing riders can count on will make a huge difference. In addition, PaTS is working on more enhancements like GPS tracking of the SafeRide vans via Smartphone.

Do you have questions or comments about SafeRide daytime disability or evening safety transport? Please ask! Contact Starr Wimberly at Parking and Transportation Services, starr.wimberly@uncc.edu or 704-687-0161.