A safe ride home is only a text away.
The UF Nightlife Navigators, a division of Student Government, will try out a new text messaging system intended to aid students in getting home safely after a night downtown.
Members of Nightlife Navigators will go out to a variety of bars and clubs in midtown and downtown Gainesville and give students wristbands printed with a phone number. Students will be able to text the number and receive an automatic reply with the phone numbers for GOTCHA Ride, ZipCart and taxis in Gainesville.
“We want to give students safe and cheap alternatives to get home safe,” said Ryan Garcia, the director of outreach for Nightlife Navigators.
The system is currently in final preparations. A one- or two-night test run will occur after Spring Break.
While the text messaging system will only be used for a few nights, the phone numbers given to students are available for use at all times.
GOTCHA Ride CEO and founder Sean Flood praised SG for its effort in providing students with an easy way to reach the company.
“Giving students a number to text is the way to go,” Flood said. “It’s a significantly better way to reach college students than [giving out] fliers.”
UF freshman Deidre Cheeves believes the new system will make students aware of all their options.
“I think it’s great because you won’t always have to call SNAP or look for a bus anymore,” Cheeves said. “It’s just a lot more convenient.”
