Committed to safety

The Gazette, Cedar Rapids: Kudos to University of Iowa Student Government leaders for their efforts to provide more safe transportation options for students.

Their proposal — to partner with a local cab company to offer free emergency cab rides for UI students — looks like a positive way to promote student safety and help make sure students get home safely, especially late at night.

It’s a compliment to the existing Nite Ride service already offered to university women and a sign of student leaders’ commitment to make the UI a safer place for all students.

Student government leaders recently announced they’d like to arrange for as many as two free emergency cab rides each semester to any UI student needing a ride home or to the hospital.

They plan to keep detailed records to make sure the service is not abused.

The idea is part of the “Wingman Safety Campaign” — an initiative designed to increase public safety and awareness among UI students that student leaders have been developing for months.

Right now, they’re looking for a company partner, and are working with university officials to collect bids from local taxi services.

There is a substantial demand in the campus community for safe transportation alternatives.