UCO Student Association Partners with Uber for Safe Ride Program

Aug. 25, 2016

Media Contacts:
Adrienne Nobles, Assistant Vice President, UCO University Communications, 405-974-2103, anobles@uco.edu

Debbee Hancock, Uber Communications, debbee.hancock@uber.com

UCO STUDENT ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH UBER FOR SAFE RIDE PROGRAM

The University of Central Oklahoma Student Association (UCOSA) and Uber, the popular ridesharing service, will team up this fall to offer free rides for UCO students every Thursday-Saturday night.

“I have seen friends make poor decisions that perhaps could have been prevented if there were a safe ride option like this. We’re excited to partner with an innovative company like Uber to make the program a reality for Central,” said Austin Sheehy, 2015-16 UCOSA president.

The program covers the cost of an Uber ride up to $20 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday within the designated safe ride zone. The zone extends from Covell Road to the north, Interstate 40 to the south, Interstate 44 to the west and Interstate 35 to the east.

Trips that exceed $20 or take place outside the UCO safe ride zone will be charged to the card attached to the student’s Uber account.

This is the first university partnership of its kind in Oklahoma. Uber has also partnered with other universities throughout the country, including Duke University, the University of Florida and the University of Southern California.

"Our goal is to make it easy for students to request a ride when they need it most. Whether their plans involve a big night out or they just need a late night ride home from the library, a safe ride is now available at the tap of a button," said David Brightman, Uber general manager.           

UCOSA voted to designate funding for the program last spring. The program will run through the fall semester as a pilot. UCOSA will then evaluate the use of the program and determine adjustments to the budget and details of the program for the spring 2017 semester.           

The partnership is an extension of UCOSA’s Shop Central program. Dozens of local businesses and organizations offer deals and discounts to UCO students through the program.           

To learn how to participate in the safe ride program with Uber, visit www.uco.edu/UCOSA.

(end)