Date posted: 2-23-01

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NIU's use of ride service declines

By Meghan O'Brien

DeKalb News Service

DeKALB -- The Late Night Ride Service has existed NIU for almost 13 years, but a lack of interest has slowed the service to 15 calls a night.

"I never see any signs on campus and I often forget the service exists," said Breanne Klitz, sophomore biology major.

The Late Night Ride Service allows students to be picked up from anywhere on or near campus and taken home. Generally these are students who either are intoxicated or don't want to walk in the cold. The passengers must be students and therefore must present the driver with an NIU OneCard.

The Student Association Mass Transit Board began the service in April 1988. Today, the service still runs on Friday and Saturday nights from 2 to 6 a.m., but the number of calls coming in and the amount of hired help has changed.

According to a Northern Star article, there were 736 riders with an average of 61 passengers a week in fall 1992.

Bart Cole, former Late Night Ride Service employee and the second supervisor in charge for two years, blames the lack of interest on low publicity and lack of hired help.

"It's hard to get people to come into work, probably because of the lack of hours offered in a week," said Cole, an NIU senior engineer major. "There have been times that we had to shut down because no one was there to drive."

If a student calls and no one is there to pick him or her up, the student probably will not try to use the service again, he added.

Cole, who worked for the Late Night Ride Service for five years, also said the service is not publicized enough.

"Signs are not posted on campus anywhere and therefore students are unaware of the chance for a ride home," he said. "Some changes are needed to keep the service going: extended hours for the employees and better advertising."

Klitz, who has used the service once before, also thinks better advertising is needed.

For access to the Late Night Ride Service call 753-2222 on Friday or Saturday nights.

Sources:
Bart Cole, former second supervisor in charge for two years and employee for five years,
NIU Senior, Douglas Hall
Northern Star "SAMTB Approves Night Ride Service" by Dina Paluzzi 03/22/88
Northern Star "SAMTB Discusses Rider Totals" by Phillip Dalton 01/22/93
Breanne Klitz, an NIU sophomore