Late-night pub crawlers will have more transportation options to get home this fall besides drunken driving, bicycle-powered rickshaws and the Later Gator.
Taxi stations will be installed in two of Gainesville's nighttime hot spots to provide bar patrons with late-night safety and convenience just in time for the first UF home football game Aug. 30.
Jeanna Mastrodicasa, UF assistant vice president of student affairs and a Gainesville city commissioner, said she hopes the stations will solve the lack of available taxis in Gainesville bar districts, thereby helping to reduce drunken driving.
"We never want people to think driving home from the bars is more convenient than finding a cab," Mastrodicasa said. "So we are putting the cabs right in front of them."
Student Body President Kevin Reilly said one station would be located in midtown outside of Balls and the Salty Dog Saloon. Another hub will be installed downtown near the Market Street Pub.
Reilly said the stations would be active Wednesday through Saturday between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.
"Students will be able to go to one specific area and know they will find a cab or one will be there shortly," he said.
Mastrodicasa said some taxi companies reported that they find it hard to attract potential clients at late-night stomping grounds because they don't have a designated place to sit and wait. In fact, the only designated local taxi station that currently exists in Gainesville is at the airport, located in northeast Gainesville, she added.
"I have only gotten positive feedback from everyone involved in this plan," Mastrodicasa said. "It's a win-win situation for bar patrons, bar owners and taxi companies."
