With new technology promoting ride-sharing, LSU students have more options for environmentally-friendly travel.
Geaux Ride, a new mobile app designed by the Capital Region Planning Commission to connect carpoolers, launched Sept. 16 with a celebration in downtown Baton Rouge.
The app uses software to match users based off their commutes and personal preferences.
“We have already been promoting it to students and staff via social media,” said Campus Sustainability Manager Sarah Temple. “One of our major goals is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all university operations and activities, and an obvious source is vehicles from students and employees commuting.”
The app has several environmental benefits according to the Geaux Ride website, and the commission’s website said the program will help solve the traffic issues that plague Baton Rouge.
Geaux Ride allows users to create a profile including information like their home address, workplace and route. Then the software matches users with others in their area who may work or live in similar locations.
Geaux Ride adds to a number of services already available to LSU students. Uber, the personal driver app, came to Baton Rouge in 2014. Uber’s basic service runs a base rate of $1.75 with a rate of $0.25 per minute and $1.35 per mile.
Louis Gremillion, Student Government transportation director, updated the SG Senate on the transloc rider app and bus routes at a meeting earlier this month.
The LSU bus systems’s transloc rider app for the bus system allows riders to see where buses are currently located, as well as any announcements that may affect their commute. Gremillion said LSU Parking and Transportation Services has worked to update the app.
“There’s a new feature now,” Gremillion said at the meeting. “It’s called passenger count. It gives you the percentage for how full that bus is.”
“Zipcar, a car sharing mobile service, should also be coming to LSU soon,” Gremillion said, “After buying a membership, members can reserve vehicles and use them for $8-10 per hour. The program should especially cater to out-of-state or international students who might not have cars on campus.”
“In addition, Campus Sustainability will continue to look at ways students can travel in a greener way while saving money.” Temple said.
“Our Campus Committee on Sustainability, which will be meeting for the first time this fall, will have a dedicated transportation subcommittee to specifically strategize on alternative transportation possibilities for the university,” Temple said. “Incentives for ridesharing programs will certainly be explored. In addition to all of the environmental benefits of ridesharing, users can save money, see less wear and tear on their vehicles and even
possibly make a few new friends.”
Other changes to student transportation have been made over recent months, including the addition of a bus stop at the LSU Student Union.
“There were complaints from students living near Ben Hur Road of overcrowded buses,” Gremillion said. Transit pulled a bus from the reserve fleet to handle some of the extra passengers. Since the spare bus transported roughly 1,700 riders, the bus will continue along that route until demand
decreases.
“With the purple bus route now going by the Union, several students were confused about the bus no longer stopping at the West Campus Apartments,” Gremillion said, “though Parking is looking into a way to keep those stops.”
“Last year, several students expressed a desire for a bus route that extended down Brightside Drive,” Gremillion said, “and that route might be in the works.”
“In the spring semester, Tiger Trails will be getting a facelift, with new buses replacing the current fleet,” Gremillion said. The buses will include USB ports for phone chargers and will be customized for LSU.