This year is about to go down in the books for one very special group here at JMU. SafeRides, a student-run, non-profit organization, is very excited to announce the launch of it's brand new, fully-functional, mobile application. That's right, you read that correctly, SafeRides is now an app! JMU students can now request a free, non-judgmental ride home by simply using the push of a few buttons. If you would like, you can still call and get a ride, but the app will work exactly the same way.

So, where to begin? First, download the app! Look in either the App Store or the Play Store and search JMU SafeRides. After you have it, familiarize yourself, and make an account. Be sure to use your student email so that your status as a JMU student can, in fact, be verified. Then, next Friday or Saturday, give it a try!

To say that SafeRides is excited about this app is an understatement. With this launch, JMU's organization became the first of its kind nationally to launch a mobile application. The layout of the app is very similar to Uber's, making it easy for patrons to navigate, but what's cool is that SafeRides actually worked personally with the app company to design a tool that could enhance operations. An app that could serve tens of thousands of people requires great attention to detail, flawless execution, and an in-depth back end. To ensure that the app is the best that it can be, SafeRides' Operations Director, Johnny Bachrach, still chats with the designers every week to see what could be improved upon; the goal being that people are getting rides in the most efficient way possible.

With the app, patrons can see when a car is assigned to them and where the car is on a map to give a better idea of how long it will be. The app also allows patrons to save favorite destinations to make traveling at night even easier. SafeRides hopes that by making this available, more students will be able to use their services without facing troubles like forgetting the phone number, not being able to hear on the phone, or knowing where they are (since the app detects your location, too).

But the app doesn't just make patrons' lives easier, it works both ways! Bachrach carefully took into consideration the SafeRides members, who would be receiving all of the requests, when designing the app's efficiency. Through using the app, the computers in the SafeRides office automatically assign rides to cars depending on where they are - which makes operations run quicker, and the members' jobs easier!

Rides are still free, non-judgmental, anonymous, and guaranteed, so, if you haven't yet, be sure to download the JMU SafeRides app for your next night out!

JMU SafeRides is a student-run, non-profit organization that runs solely on the generosity of its members and the kind donations of community neighbors - without them, the organization is unable to run its operations. To learn more about SafeRides and donate today, please visit http://www.jmusaferides.com