The integration of a new automated system will allow the Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol to run more efficiently and decrease students’ wait time.
The system allows students to request a ride online, via text or over the phone working with an automated system, said Officer Pablo de Jesus Jr., SNAP’s head supervisor.
The new system will hopefully be in effect within the next few months, he said.
According to University Police Capt. Jeff Holcomb, ideally students will program their own profiles into the system, and it’ll keep track of all your requested rides on campus.
“We’re hoping to be able to utilize the system and increase efficiency at a lower cost,” Holcomb said.
The biggest issue students seem to have with SNAP is the wait time.
“Sometimes it takes them a while, so in some cases my friends and I have decided to walk instead of waiting,” said UF freshman Nicole Thommes.
The new system will give callers an estimated wait time, Holcomb said.
“If the van’s coming to pick you up, the system will call you back on the phone you called in on, letting you know that ride’s coming,” he said.
At some point, they might be able to make it so that students can locate SNAP vans like they can with Regional Transit System buses, he said. Kaitlin Buickel, a SNAP driver, said that depending on the night, students might have to wait from about 10 minutes to 40 minutes. The system will allow people to know when their van is close or on the way, she said.
