348-RIDE

Have you ever been stuck without a ride at some point in the night and you really need to get home? There is a great service here on campus that is helping students solve this problem. 348-RIDE (7433) is a free taxi service here at the university that helps students get to and from various places on and around campus. However, the taxis will only go as far as Greensboro Avenue, 15th Street, Helen Keller Boulevard, Jack Warner Parkway to the North, and anywhere in between.[1] Timing of the arrival of the vans, how clean the vans are, and the friendliness of the drivers are some key successes and faults of 348-RIDE

Many students here at the University of Alabama count on 348-RIDE nearly every night. As a result, it may take awhile for a van to come and pick up a person. If one is looking for a quick ride then 348-RIDE is not the way to go. From personal experience, I have waited on the service from a broad range of at the least fifteen minutes and at the most forty-five minutes. However, when they do pick you up they are pretty good about getting you to where you need to go without causing you any confusion. Depending on how far you are off campus also has a major effect on the timing of the van’s arrival.

Students who travel in these 348-RIDE vans would probably think that they would be a little unclean, because the purpose that they serve for many students is to transport them because they are intoxicated. However, these vans are quite nice and very comfortable to ride in. In any given van one could find clean cloth seats, a decent smelling air freshener, and an air conditioner that works fairly well. There is usually none or hardly any trash in the van’s seats or in the floorboards. The service does very well in the upkeep and cleanliness of their vehicles.

The folks who drive these vans usually seem to be extremely friendly. From my personal experience they have always been willing to help you in any way possible and can carry on a friendly conversation. As an avid passenger of 348-RIDE I like to sit in the front, where the driver never complains about what radio station I turn it on. The drivers will also make extra stops along the way to pick up your friends if you want them to. When they reach your destination, they tell you to be safe and to call back if you need a ride home.

Overall, 348-RIDE serves its purpose fairly well. If a student needs a safe ride to and or from their residence then these are the people to call. Sometimes it takes the taxi a little while to get there, so calling at least thirty minutes ahead of time is a good idea. The clean vehicles and the friendly service definitely make up for the waiting time. If you ever need a ride between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., then do not hesitate to call 348-RIDE.

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[1] (Alabama Auxiliary Services, par.1)