The shuttle service runs between 7:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. every day. Riders will be able to enter their preferred pick-up time, location, destination and additional comments for the dispatcher.
“This new system seems like it will be more efficient," sophomore Hayley Burgess said. "I personally have never used 4-RIDE, but a lot of my friends have complained about how slow the service is.”
Darrell Darnell, the Senior Associate Vice President at the office of Safety and Security, said the service should be more responsive, cutting down on the amount of time students have to wait on the 4-RIDE phone line and eliminating uncertainty as to when the van will pick them up.
"It gives students another option," Darnell said, "as well as puts stress on the dispatchers because it will be done automatically."
The phone reservation system will remain available to those requesting a ride. Riders can also sign up to receive e-mail or text message notifications when the shuttle is on its way. Still, some students remain skeptical of 4-RIDE's ability to cut down on its notorious delays.
“I’m not sure this new way will be more efficient," junior Alexandra Noghaven said. "It seems to me that it will probably just take longer to order 4rides the old fashion way. Still, I think the 4ride system is super helpful."
Each of the 17 4-RIDE vans will be outfitted with GPS technology. Deployed vans will be displayed in real time on a Google map on the 4-RIDE site, which will be accessible through myGW on computers and mobile devices. The three year contract will cost the university $90,000.
Students can visit my.gwu.edu and click on "4-RIDE" in the quick links section to make their reservation.
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