August 25, 2020
SafeRide now operated by Lyft
Submitted by Center for Student Involvement
The Center for Student Involvement announces a major change to the operation of the campus SafeRide program.
Beginning this Thursday, Aug. 27, the SafeRide program will now be operated by Lyft. Students will receive two emails this week leading up to the official launch of the program at 11 p.m. Thursday. One email will further describe the program parameters and how to request rides using the Lyft app and how to receive free or discounted rides as part of SafeRide. The other email will be from Lyft Business with instructions on how to opt into the program and set up their accounts. All students enrolled in classes on the Manhattan campus will be eligible to enroll in the program.
The change is in response to the feedback received during a survey sent to students last fall semester asking about the program and the former operation provider, Flint Hills aTa Bus. Through the survey, students expressed their frustrations with a program that did not meet their current safety and transportation needs. With that in mind, the center, in partnership with student representatives, completed a full bid review process to identify potential operation providers. Lyft was selected as the winning bid for several reasons, including name recognition, ease of use, door-to-door service, and flexibility to adjust the program based on the needs of students in real time.
SafeRide, which is funded by the privilege fee, will provide free or discounted rides to students from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday nights.
We are excited to launch the new program this week in coordination with the #Cats3D campaign announced Aug. 21. Together K-State will be better suited to support students' health and safety.
To celebrate the launch of the new program, the center is giving away a free bicycle. Students can get entered to win the bicycle by signing the SafeRide Pledge, which asks students to commit to reducing their exposure to potentially harmful consequences of alcohol, planning and using a safe alternative ride home if ever in a potentially threatening or unsafe situation, and using SafeRide for any reason when they feel unsafe and need a ride home. The winning student will be announced on Monday, Aug. 31, on Twitter @KSU_SafeRide.