348-RIDE and 348-RIDE Express projected to have 170,128 total riders in 2013, an increase of 22 percent from last year, when the program had a combined total of 137,214 riders, up from 120,332 total riders in 2011.
348-RIDE began in November 2007 as an on-demand service provided by the UA Transit Department that transports students around campus and neighboring areas after Crimson Ride night hours end at 10 p.m. The program began with three eight-passenger vans and carried 626 riders in the first two months.
Now, 348-RIDE has a fleet of nine 12-passenger vans, 12 drivers and three dispatchers.
Ralph Clayton, director of transit services at the University of Alabama, said the focus of 348-RIDE has expanded from its original purpose.
“The primary focus of 348-RIDE is academic in nature, but it has expanded. We realize that not all students just need a ride to go the library,” Clayton said. “We try to support the overall safety of our students.”
348-RIDE is typically busiest during the weekend.
“On weekdays, we average 300 or 400 passengers per night,” Clayton said. “On Friday and Saturday, we average about 700 or even up to 1,000 passengers per night.”
In order to deal with the increased volume of calls on the weekends, the UA Transit Department and SGA worked together to create 348-RIDE Express in 2009.
“The SGA is the one that came up with the model for 348-RIDE Express in order to help relieve some of the stress on the regular 348-RIDE. We found that a number of students wanted to go to the same locations,” Clayton said.
348-RIDE Express runs a fixed route around campus from 9 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. from Thursday until Sunday.
Although most students feel 348-RIDE is an overall helpful system, some have had issues getting through to the dispatchers. Luke Kiszla, a sophomore majoring in history and theatre, said he has encountered this problem several times.
“The main trouble is getting through the automated system,” Kiszla said. “Once I talk to a dispatcher, they’re so helpful at getting me a ride. …The automated system is just hard to navigate sometimes.”
Kiszla said he has used 348-RIDE to get home from bars downtown after his band plays. He said he believes that 348-RIDE could benefit from linking Google maps, a mobile GPS device, to the dispatchers.
Ultimately, Kiszla believes 348-RIDE is an important resource on campus that promotes student safety and is also a partial solution to the lack of parking spaces on campus.
“It’s a good system overall. It’s helped me and my friends make safe choices following parties,” Kiszla said. “If only the parking situation was better in town, I wouldn’t have to worry about leaving my car when I take 348-RIDE.”
Students can also log on to 348ride.ua.edu with their myBama username and password to select a pick-up and drop-off location.
Apps to request rides from 348-RIDE are available on iOS and Android smartphones. “RideCell” is available in the iTunes App Store and “U. Alabama 348Ride” is available in the Google Play Store.
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