The University of South Carolina's night shuttle is increasing in ridership numbers after its debut in January.
The Department of Parking and Transportation's Night Service Transit provides students with a late-night weekend shuttle, carrying them to and from three campus stops and three off-campus locations.
When the shuttle system first ran, the ridership numbers averaged around 50 to 75 passengers per night, according to Director of Parking and Transportation Brian Favela. As of this fall, ridership numbers are now averaging around 120 per night and are gradually increasing, Favela said.
First-year exercise science student Naila Garcia-Williams said the shuttle has been useful, helping her save time.
“It really saves me a lot of minutes walking, especially late at night. After I walk all day, it saves me a lot of time,” Garcia-Williams said.
First-year environmental science student Anna Makely said the Night Service Transit allows students to travel at night safely without the expensive price tags of Uber and Lyft.
“I know people take Ubers a lot during the nighttime, especially on the weekends, and a free safer public transportation option is really good” Makely said.
Third-year political science student Alex Vance said since many out-of-state students don't have cars, they are more reliant on ride-share apps.
“Probably once or twice a week I take an Uber. And I know a lot of out-of-state kids don’t necessarily have cars," Vance said. "My freshman year roommate would have to take an Uber every time she went to the grocery store.”
The Night Service Transit has been able to answer concerns about the safety of students when they are off campus, said fourth-year English student Kaylen Pritchard.
“I think these kinds of initiatives are crucial to student safety," Pritchard said. "College students are going to go out. We want to provide them with as many opportunities as possible to do so safely.”
The shuttles provide a peace of mind that students aren't traveling alone at night, said fourth-year psychology student Kaitlyn Rivers.
“I think it could be helpful ... (for) students traveling in groups ... knowing that they have transportation could be helpful,” Rivers said.
The Department of Parking and Transportation has put in efforts for the nighttime shuttle, budgeting $150,000 for the project this academic year.
First-year chemical engineering student, Isabella Kost said she appreciates the university’s efforts towards keeping students safe.
“Honestly, I think it’s nice that the university is trying to help because it helps keep students safe,” Kost said.
Vance said she thinks the night shuttle is useful, but that she doesn't know much about it.
“(A lot of people) don’t actually really know that much or how to use it. That’s why I’ve never done this, because I don’t know how to use it, but I know it exists,” Vance said.
The shuttles were introduced by former student body president Patton Byars and Favela in Fall 2024.
"The past student body president Patton Byars approached me and made the ask, and I said, 'Absolutely,' because I believed in it," Favela said.
While working at other universities who had the night shuttle system, Favela also saw how a night shuttle system could be successful here.
The Night Service Transit runs on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. and connects three on-campus locations with three entertainment districts: Five Points, Main Street and Lady Street.
The shuttles will run every Friday and Saturday. However the shuttles do not run on Saturdays when there is a home football game, according to Favela.
This year, the department began tracking the shuttles on the Transloc app, Transportation Manager Dennessee Daring said. Students can use the Transloc app to help guide them to the nearest available stop.
As of Fall 2025, the six stops the Night Service Transit serves are Greek Village, Blatt PEC, Lady Street, The Hub at Main Street, Columbia Hall and the Five Points Fountain. Students are required to have their CarolinaCard and are able to bring one guest.