Caroline Lindgren, a senior at the University of South Carolina, has been driving for Safe Rides since her sophomore year. Photo by Abagael Strating/Carolina Reporter

The University of South Carolina, located in the state capital of Columbia, is no stranger to nightlife.

Nearby, Five Points, a hotspot for bars and restaurants, is always crawling with students. 

How do students get to and from all of the college fun safely? 

Rideshare programs and companies is the answer.

A National Institutes of Health study showed that 76.8% of college students use what it calls a Transportation Networking Co., a fancy term for a rideshare program. 

But there’s a more underground rideshare at the University of South Carolina. It’s called “Safe Rides.” 

Safe Rides is made up of group chats with thousands of students, shared through the app GroupMe. Only female students are allowed to use Safe Rides. They can offer to drive, or to request a ride with a quick message to the group chat. 

Haven’t heard of it? You’re not alone.

“I was not aware of these group types,” the business licensing administrator for the City of Columbia, Kelly Smith, said. “We don’t have licenses for a group chat rideshare program.” 

So, the rides aren’t regulated or taxed – yet.

The only “regulation” comes from the GroupMe group itself: You have to be a woman to use it.

And, yes, a woman might feel safer if her driver is also a woman.

But a top reason for Safe Rides being a top choice among college students is its relatively low price. 

“You can negotiate prices … or (a group of riders can pay) per person, so the burden of the ride doesn’t fall on one person,” USC senior Julia Moulton said.

She takes a safe ride every now and then as an alternative way to get around town.  

Not only is Safe Rides a way to safely save money but drivers are able to make money. 

With the Higher Education Policy Institute reporting that more than two thirds of full-time college students have part-time jobs, it might be no surprise that Safe Rides is an option for a college side hustle.

“I started Safe Ride driving as a way to make money,” Safe Ride driver Caroline Lindgren said. “I wanted to put aside a little extra money for study abroad. … I typically charge between two and three dollars per person.” 

And the money she makes is not too bad. 

“On slower nights, around $60,” Lindgren said. “But busier nights, easily over $100.”

USC doesn’t object. The school, in fact, endorses the rideshares.

“We want our entire community to be safe,” said USC police department Capt. Eric Grabski. “Rideshare can be a safe alternative to walking or another mode of transportation.”

Lindgren shows how Safe Rides works as she begins her night of driving. Photo by Abagael Strating/Carolina Reporter