Do you remember a time when going out entailed designating a sober driver or arranging for a ride? Or push it back a little farther, maybe to the mid-early 2000’s when waving down a taxi or waiting for hours at a bus stop were just the inconveniences that came with traveling as a carless person. For a student living on a college campus, it can be especially difficult to get from point A to point B when you don't have a car at your disposal. And who actually enjoys waiting for the bus? In accordance with this, being a 21-year-old campus dweller can be just as or even more frustrating, especially when all your friends are intent on going out and having a few drinks themselves. Everyone is entitled to a good time and no one wants to be responsible for the keys, so how do you decide who is staying sober for the ride home?

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Until only a few years ago, these struggles were all to apparent for many students across the Behrend, or any, campus. From those who were looking for a Designated Driver to those who simply needed to find a way to their bank or to the grocery store, obtaining a ride wasn't always as simple as a swipe on your cell phone. But today, if you need transportation, there are several means you can go about to make that happen. At Penn State Behrend, most of the students are familiar with the apps Lyft and Uber, both popular ride-sourcing companies. We know how it works; you set your destination, your location, and your pick up time into the app and it assigns you a driver. It’s incredibly easy and also very convenient. Having ride-sourcing companies encourages people to go out in groups and travel home. In groups, being able to have an instant source of transportation right at your fingertips also helps diminish the number of people who are driving intoxicated. Going out is made easier and getting home is made safer. On top of that, these companies provide transportation for those of us who don't have our own. So, it is safely assumed that a large majority of students across the Behrend campus already have one or both of these apps downloaded on their phones.

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Nine out of ten Behrend students over 21 questioned admitted to using these apps at least once; seven use it regularly. As for those students under 21, the mix was split. With these numbers, it is clear to see just how common the usage of these services is across the Behrend campus. Most of these students were almost always satisfied with their service. The only complaints, which were few, were that sometimes rides can be expensive.

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Ride-sourcing services have been undoubtedly beneficial to the majority of the markets’ consumers since the release of the first ride sourcing companies. The concept of ride-sourcing is spreading across the US like wildfire. They usually have car-standards, background checks for every driver, and hold themselves accountable for their services. If you decide to use one of these services, make sure to let someone know where you are going and plan the ride ahead of time in case there is a waiting line. It is encouraged to have one of these apps downloaded on your phone in case of any emergency. Above all else, travel safely for the benefit of yourself and all the people around you. These apps can be your best friends, so utilize them to their full advantage.