#saas solution

The future of campus shuttles and safe rides is a complex one. Some institutions rely on private transportation services for the masses, while others look to public transportation as a cheaper alternative. Campus shuttles can be more efficient, convenient, and safe. With real-time information and vehicle location, students can plan their trips in real-time or advance and wait for their ride. Providing these services is one way to encourage students to use campus transit services. Here are some of the benefits of using campus shuttles.

Benefits of Campus shuttles:

Safety For Students

Campus shuttles are available to help students arrive at their destination safely. These services are a great way to travel around campus without fear of being hit by a car or walking far distances. They also provide students with an easy way to book rides on demand, so they can avoid waiting around for a ride.

Students can also track buses in real-time, and the University Police maintains a list of safety resources.

Campus shuttles and safe rides programs are important to campus safety, but they also present challenges. For instance, campus shuttles can be difficult to find, and student engagement rates are often low. Some ride-share services are not free and require students to call a dispatcher, which can take a while.

Easy Convenience

A safety shuttle service can be booked on-demand and arrive at a specific location quickly, which reduces the wait time for students. These services also allow students to view the route of their ride and estimate arrival time, which can help them avoid traffic and avoid walking.

While there are several benefits to campus shuttles and safe rides programs, they have a limited student adoption rate. Most students have trouble waiting for a ride and may even become frustrated with the system. After waiting a long time, many students will take a taxi or drive themselves home. Ride-share services are another option, but they are not free and remove students from the protection of campus security. Nowadays, transportation companies implement software in their system in order to get rid of these challenges and increase efficiency.

Money Saving

If you have to take public transportation to campus, you can save money by taking a campus shuttle service instead. This type of transportation is offered by universities and offers flexibility to meet the needs of riders and adapt to safety standards. This service allows administrators to monitor riders and adjust vehicle capacity based on demand, which is particularly important during disruptive periods. Furthermore, demand response means that underutilized fixed routes can quickly be converted to demand-driven vehicles.

Most schools in the US offer safe rides programs, which allows students to request a ride from the campus or from their homes in the event of an emergency or inclement weather. This type of transportation is particularly helpful for students who may have trouble finding a ride to campus on their own. It also has a low engagement rate since students must call a dispatcher to schedule a ride. Furthermore, students often have to wait for the service to pick them up, which can be very frustrating.

Real-time information

Real-time information about campus shuttles can help students decide when they need to get to campus. With this information, students can book a ride on demand and arrive at their destination in the shortest time possible. These services are also convenient, as they avoid waiting for a cab or walking to a bus stop.

University-operated campus shuttles should have the right size of fleet, capacity, and style to protect students. The right drivers are also critical in ensuring the safety of students. They can be hired by the university or undergo thorough background checks if they are from an outside company.

Technology

Technology for campus shuttles can help schools reduce operational costs and improve service. These innovations can increase the number of students picked up and decrease empty vehicles on the road. However, these programs are not without their downsides. The downside is the cost. This technology is not accessible but will help students get where they need to go.

One way to improve campus shuttles is to pool multiple students into the same vehicle. This not only improves security but also reduces one-on-one interactions with drivers. It also helps reduce traffic congestion on campus and reduces emissions.

Here are some examples:

CU-Boulder has a limited transit pass program

The University of Colorado at Boulder offers qualifying students and employees a limited transit pass program. The pass is valid for all bus services, including the SkyRide bus service to DIA. Students who purchase a pass can also use the pass on campus and outside Boulder. A student must complete a form to be eligible for the pass. Local routes connect the campus with the downtown area.

The University of Wisconsin has a ride-matching program

The University of Wisconsin's ride-matching program enables faculty, staff, and students to share the cost of car rides in the city. Its website lists thousands of active carpoolers and helps them arrange daily commutes. It also provides other benefits, including searching for other carpoolers in advance.

SaaS companies can offer on-demand services

A SaaS solution allows transit agencies and city planners to develop, manage, and operate a range of transit services without the need to maintain their own in-house IT infrastructure. These SaaS solutions include vehicle management, service planning, marketing, and driver recruitment. They allow cities to launch transit services from scratch or upgrade their existing services as the needs of the community change.