DAVID HARDEN/Arizona Daily Wildcat Director of SafeRide Joshua Wright escorts a student from Coronado to the McKale Center last night. The Safe Ride has made improvements on their service including etiquette as well as implementing uniforms.

Car drivers hoping to improve free service

During his SafeRide shift two nights ago, Joshua Wright went out of his way to be courteous to every customer, apologizing profusely for late pickups.

Wright's behavior is part of the driving service's new professional approach.

As SafeRide's new director, Wright has made changes to the driving service in order to increase the program's professionalism.

"I know the service is free and student-run, but it is also a real business and customers should be treated as if they were paying," Wright, a psychology and religious studies senior, said.

Last year, SafeRide, a service for students who don't want to walk alone at night, was seen as unprofessional. Students had complaints about rude phone service, dangerous driving, and drivers who asked them out on dates.

However, according to staff now working at SafeRide, this image does not accurately portray the organization.

"For everyone that works here, human safety is our primary goal. It is a fun but professional work environment," Sarina Gluckman, a studio arts senior and SafeRide member, said.

In an attempt to change the SafeRide's negative reputation, Wright compiled lists of possible improvements for the organization. Now his position as director allows him to use his lists to improve the service.

"While working here I saw things I knew I could fix," Wright said. "UA deserves the best. · SafeRide must be the best it can be."

UA deserves the best ... SafeRide must be the best it can be. - Joshua Wright director of SafeRide

In order to put an end to student complaints about drivers speeding and disregarding traffic signals, employees are required to take a driver's test and to hand in a record of their driving history.

Also, a supervisor will accompany first-time SafeRide drivers to make sure they are following procedure and becoming more acquainted with the area.

Drivers must sign contracts agreeing to abide by the rules and regulations of the program. They are taught the proper way to communicate with passengers.

They also receive guidance on how to deal with difficult situations, such as an accident.

The four supervisors this year, one of whom will always be on duty, have manuals that teach them how to deal respectably with customer complaints and problems.

Wright plans to monitor drivers on his own by sending in secret passengers to report back to him and by listening to dispatch while he is off-duty.

Customer complaints are a top priority this year. All staff members know what is expected of them and doing otherwise will not be accepted, Wright said.

"The changes are fantastic," Osama Ahmad, SafeRide member and undeclared freshman, said. "They will give students peace of mind."

The majority of other changes this year have to do with regulation policies. Gas and maintenance procedures will be continuously monitored.

Staff must now fill out a form to take days off and there are backups so the program will always operate with a full staff.

Last year, without these regulations, SafeRide was often understaffed.

Keys and vehicles have to be signed out every time they are used. This precaution helps determine who was driving a certain car if a complaint is received.

SafeRide hopes to form close ties with the new Cats Realizing the Importance of Designated Driving Escort (Cats RIDDE), which will drive drunken students home.

"It would be great to provide students with an alternative when they call in drunk and we are unable to drive them," Wright said.

"We both promote safety in two different ways."

If you are interested in becoming an employee for SafeRide, visit http://clubs.asua.arizona.edu/~saferide/ for an application, or e-mail Joshua Wright at jhwright@u.arizona.edu for more information.

If you need a ride, call 621-SAFE (7233).