NIU students and staff can find their way home safely late at night with NIU’s Late Night Ride Service.

The service runs Thursday through Saturday nights between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., said SA Mass Transit Adviser Todd Allen.

The service, paid for by the bus fee, is free to NIU students, staff and faculty, Allen said. An NIU I.D. is required to get a ride.

“Last year it was a little slow in taking off,” said Sherat Shenoy, director of the service. He said he has driven for the service since last September.

This year, however, has seen a sharp increase in the number of riders, said Allen. There were 995 riders from the beginning of this year until spring break, he said.

The most common reason people use the service is to get home, said Shenoy. “They would rather call the ride service from a party than go home with someone they don’t know,” he said.

The ride service is also a safe alternative to walking late at night in DeKalb, especially in poor weather, said Allen.

“There are no questions asked” of the riders, and drivers will not refuse service to callers unless they are rude or belligerent, he said.

Service will be provided within the area bounded by the East-West Tollway, Bethany Road, the east access to the tollway and Stadium Drive West, said Shenoy.

The service needs reliable people to be drivers, Shenoy said. Allen said he hopes there will be enough extra drivers to keep the service running when regular drivers are unable to work.

Shenoy said the service will begin this Thursday. People can get a ride by calling the dispatcher at 753-1661, Allen said.