Winter is officially here, and with it, longer hours in darkness and more wet and cold weather. All good reasons for students to find a safe ride to their destinations on and around campus.

The University of Oregon makes sure there are lots of ways for students to get around safely, from the day into the evening. We urge students to take advantage of the resources, from the use of local buses for free with their ID cards, to the UO’s ride programs, to the lighted paths through campus. Ride-hailing businesses are back in Eugene this fall, offering another way for students to get where they need to go. With all the options, we hope that students won’t choose to walk alone late at night, or take rides from strangers.

A reminder of programs and hours:

• Safe Ride (541-346-7433, Ext. 2): Reservation-based rides; winter hours 6:00 p.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday, 6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday
• Designated Driver Shuttle (541-346-7433, Ext. 1): On-demand; first-come, first served; winter hours 10:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. daily
• UO Campus Shuttle: Fixed-route van service; winter hours 6:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. daily

A great way for students to keep track of transportation options, including seeing the UO Campus Shuttle interactive map, is to download and use the free, official UOregon Mobile App (available on the iTunes store and Google Play). The built-in map features are also the best way for students to quickly find their winter term classes.

Finally, while students should always contact the campus police dispatch directly at 541-346-2919 for safety needs (like a 24-hour safety escort), students or families with questions or concerns can always contact UOPD Chief Matthew Carmichael at 541-915-3248; he’s a parent of a UO student himself, and is always happy to help other families make sure their Ducks are safe and secure.