Students who do not feel safe walking around campus at night now are choosing a different option: NIU’s Late Night Ride Service.

Last semester, the service was run by University Police in partnership with the Student Association, but because of problems with consistency and a lack of workers, University Police decided to take charge, revamp the service and run the service on its own this semester.

Maurice Montgomery, Student Association Director of Transportation Services, said students want to be involved in the service, but there have been some communication problems between them and UP.

The service now operates from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week.

Under the SA service, students operated pick-up vehicles, but now only UP officers pick up students.

“We had a huge problem with student employees not showing up and not wanting to work. We could not keep the service up and running, so now the guards drive,” said University Police Lt. Matthew Kiederlen, head of the service.

The service also is experiencing a huge increase in ridership since campus police have taken over.

“We are there every night, there is no question,” Kiederlen said. “We are averaging 75 riders per evening on the weekends, which is way up from what the Student Association was receiving when they were operating.”

UP has yet to update pamphlets and information on its Web site notifying students of the new changes to the service.

“It would be really helpful if the details about the Late Night Ride Service were published, because I do not think a lot of students are aware of what the service has to offer” said Jaclyn Cerovac, a sophomore political science major.

The service has remained consistent this year, but has not been promoted much. The increase in ridership is due largely to word of mouth.

“It is not uncommon for us to tell people that they have to wait an hour to an hour-and-a-half for a ride,” Kiederlen said. “This semester, we are averaging 150 to 200 riders a weekend.”

If students are looking for a ride from the service, the rides are speedy, only lasting about six minutes. The service will come and pick anyone up in or around the campus area. Students do not need their NIU OneCard.

“We are more interested in public service and public safety,” Kiederlen said.

For information on the Late Night Ride Service, call 753-2222 or call Kiederlen at 753-9631.