Zimride drives to BYU-I

Students at BYU-Idaho have a new way to get to class, or anywhere else for that matter. Zimride, an enterprise company, is now available for students and faculty.

“I can post a ride and say I’m either willing to drive or I’m a passenger,” said Kara Sheldon, a Zimride user.”I’m starting from anywhere, going to anywhere.”

Eric Conrad, university services managing director, said after looking at many options, the answer was Zimride.

“Last fall we were working with the city trying to determine how to get students in and around town; move traffic easier,” Conrad said.

“Uber was tough because it allowed anyone to be able to post a ride and where you wanted to go to. Zimride, allowed faculty and staff to post where they wanted to go, when they wanted to go there and we are able to connect them together like we never have been able to do before.”

Students and faculty can safely access Zimride by using their BYU-Idaho login. From there they can state whether they are a driver or a passenger, and where they want to go, but this isn’t just for long road trips.

Jessica Sorensen, contracting and supplier relationship administrator, said the ride service fits multiple needs.”It provides both destination connections as well as local commutes. So you can commute daily to work or to class,” she said.

This is the first semester the service has been implemented, and so far it’s been a hit. More than 2,500 students have already joined.

“Well, some people don’t have a car and want to go long distances so it’s nice,” Sheldon said. “Some people have a car and want to go long distances but don’t want to pay for the gas money. So it’s nice to have other people to pitch in on gas and make the ride more enjoyable.”

But it’s more than just a car ride.

“I’ve had good experiences, always friendly people, just students here so we always have something in common to talk about the whole way and keep each other awake,” Sheldon said.