Safe Ride Programs
Designated Drivers, E-Bus and Taxicabs

Free service to currently enrolled UT students

Designated Driver
Did you know that 92% of incoming UT students have used a designated driver and 89% have served as a designated driver? UT students are responsible and watch out for their friends. Sometimes being a good friend means taking on the responsibility to make sure your friends get home safely. This can prevent the loss of a friend's license, fines, jail time, and preventable injury and death.

Designated drivers agree to remain sober in order to drive others home safely. They do not have any alcohol the entire night and are able to help friends avoid making decisions that could result in negative consequences.

Top 10 Tips for Designated Drivers

1. Before going out, let people know you're not going to be drinking and that you're willing to drive everyone home safely.
2. Establish rules before leaving. See if drinkers will chip in on gas, buy you non-alcoholic drinks, and even buy you dinner!
3. Don't drink! Not even one single drink.
4. Carry a few plastic bags in your car in case people get sick in your ride.
5. Be wary of others on the road, especially late at night.
6. Be prepared to handle a friend that insists they are okay to drive themselves home.
7. Consider taking turns being the DD.
8. Have more than one DD if you have a larger group.
9. Make sure to ask your friends to go to a place you enjoy!
10. Talk to your friends the next day if it was hard for you to handle a situation.

E-Bus
Capital Metro provides free shuttle rides to and from UT, West Campus, East Riverside, and the downtown Austin entertainment district. The E-Bus program receives non-financial support from The University of Texas at Austin and the Austin Police Department.

The E-Bus (Eating & Entertainment Bus) operates every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night during the fall and spring semesters while classes are in session. To learn more, go to the following link:

Taxicab Services
Cab fares from West Campus or Riverside to 6th Street range from $6 to $10. Share a ride with a couple of friends and it will only cost a few dollars each. Below are a number of local taxicab vendors.