Transportation Services is exploring the idea of using the department’s fleet of vehicles to create a late-night cab service available to students. Details on the service’s area of coverage and cost are only preliminary, though a ride is currently estimated at about $5 and unlike, N.I.T.E. Ride, a cab would be willing to pick up students at locations already covered by shuttles. While it is encouraging to see Transportation Services actively pursuing new and innovative ideas, it’s important it must not do so to the detriment of its other, higher priority services.
Much of the department’s fleet sits idle at night, and getting these vehicles in use was the main impetus behind this project. A cab service is a reasonable way to get these vehicles rolling, but it remains to be seen if student demand will follow.
It’s mostly a no-lose scenario, for Transportation Services to at least run a trial period of this service – if the demand is there, they can ramp up its fleet, if it’s not, the idea can be retired quietly.
The potential danger in this is if Transportation Services focuses an inordinate amount of its attention on this proposal. N.I.T.E. Ride and traditional shuttle services deserve priority over new gambles. Transportation Services must not lose focus on its primary obligations.
But if the department can, as organizations should be able to, focus on innovation without losing sight of its responsibilities, students should be given the chance to see if they find the service adequate and useful. At a time when capital at Maryland is being stretched to its limit, it’s great to see a university department creatively trying to fully utilize its resources.
