A bus route proposed by Student Council would run from 12:30 a.m. to 3:20 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
The "Holiday Route" would service North Grounds, first-year dorms, JPA and the 14th Street/Rugby Road area. Each loop would run on a 20-minute interval.
The anticipated route would be operated by the University Transit Service and funded by a $5 increase in the "comprehensive transportation fee," which is paid by all students and presently funds UTS.
The director of UTS did not return calls seeking comment.
Council President Noah Sullivan said he strongly supports the Holiday Route because of increased safety concerns around Grounds.
"Students out late on weekends need a way to get home safe," Sullivan said.
Darius Nabors, chair of Student Council's Student Life Committee, agreed with Sullivan, saying the plan was "completely safety based."
Multiple students have been assaulted this semester when walking outside on weekend nights. The most recent incident occurred at the railroad tracks in the Rugby Road area this weekend.
Sullivan emphasized that the proposal does not indicate any kind of Council endorsement of students' actions on the weekends.
Currently, bus service curtails on weekend nights at 12:20 a.m., obliging students out past then to call a cab, walk or use Safe Ride.
Sullivan said Safe Ride, the existing late-night shuttle service, works well Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but is overwhelmed by weekend demand.
"Safe Ride lacks the resources to serve student needs," Sullivan said.
Both Sullivan and Nabors said they firmly believe student demand for the service exists.
Nabors said Council has circulated petitions marshaling support.
"Petitions signed show student demand for this," Nabors said. "We have gotten only positive responses from people, and everyone I spoke to would like the service."
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