Navigating UCLA Safely: A Guide to the UCLA Safe Ride Program and Campus Transportation Options
Safety is a key priority at UCLA, and UCLA Transportation coordinates efforts with the UCLA Police Department to provide programs, materials, and services focused on safety. Keeping yourself safe and your belongings secure does not take a lot of time or effort. Whether you’re studying late, attending an evening event, or just enjoying a night out, getting around campus safely and efficiently is essential. At UCLA, a range of mobility options are available to help you move around campus after dark.
UCLA SafeRide: Your Complimentary Campus Transportation
UCLA SafeRide provides dependable evening transportation between campus buildings, on-campus housing, and nearby residential areas. The service is available during Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. Vans and buses are ADA compliant and disinfected daily.
UCLA SafeRide is a free nighttime transportation service that operates during the school year. It includes a paratransit option for individuals with mobility challenges. The service transports students, faculty, and staff to campus buildings, on-campus housing, and nearby neighborhoods. Simply download the TripShot app, request a ride, and a vehicle will pick you up and drop you off at designated campus locations. It’s that easy! Also available is the BruinBus Safe Loop route providing continuous service approximately every 25 minutes. Users can schedule rides via the TripShot app on the App Store or Google Play.
Community Service Officer (CSO) Escort Service
A campus escort service is provided by Community Service Officers (CSOs) who are available to escort students, employees, and visitors 365 days a year between campus buildings, local living areas, including on-campus residential buildings, and Westwood Village. They are available to walk students, faculty, staff members, and visitors to and from anywhere on campus, in Westwood Village, and in the village apartments.
Whether you’re heading to your dorm, car, or another building on campus, the Evening Escort service ensures you won’t have to walk alone. To request an escort, simply call (310) 794-WALK (9255) 15 minutes before you need to leave. You'll be connected to a police dispatcher who will ask for your location, destination, and contact details. The dispatcher will radio a roaming CSO to meet you. Once your walk begins, the CSO will notify dispatch that the escort has begun and will notify them again upon your safe arrival.
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CSOs can escort you within the area bounded by Wilshire, Sunset, Veteran, and Hilgard, and will even go out to Malcolm Ave. south of Westholme. In case of danger, the CSO has direct communication with UCLA Police officers and is equipped with pepper spray. All CSOs are thoroughly vetted, including a police background check, and undergo over 30 hours of training in safety, radio use, pepper spray, and observation techniques. CSO Safety Escorts are uniformed students who have received special training and are employed by the UCLA Police Department.
BruinAccess: Accessibility for All
For Bruins with accessibility needs, BruinAccess provides specialized transportation around campus during the academic year. Eligibility is determined in collaboration with the UCLA Center for Accessible Education (CAE) and Disability Management Services for Staff & Faculty. BruinAccess provides curb-to-curb rides from most points within and near campus. The service area covers south of Sunset Blvd., east of Veteran Ave., north of Wilshire Blvd., and west of Hilgard Ave. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional Transportation Options
Studying abroad in a large city like Los Angeles may seem overwhelming at first, especially when it comes to local transportation. However, students at the University of California, Los Angeles, have various transportation options to help them get around campus and explore the city during weekends.
Biking
Bicycling is a great, low-cost, and environmentally friendly option for getting around campus. Thanks to the installation of bike lanes and more than 3,500 free bike parking spots throughout the university, biking around UCLA is now simpler than ever. Students can enhance their biking knowledge through various courses, ranging from introductory bike safety classes to those that prepare participants for the League Cycling Instructor (LCI) credential at UCLA. The "Bike Classes" webpage is regularly updated with new offerings. Additionally, you can join the Love to Ride platform to become part of the UCLA biking community.
Walking
The mental and physical benefits of walking are well-documented. Walking is an excellent form of exercise and a way to contribute positively to the planet. Whether you're heading to class, grabbing lunch, or running errands, strolling on foot can be a great choice. When walking, use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible. Stay aware of your surroundings and be cautious of blind spots around vehicles like buses and trucks. Before crossing, look left, then right, and left again. Move carefully, as if drivers don’t see you, and make eye contact with stopped motorists. Wearing bright or reflective clothing can improve your visibility, especially at night.
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BruinBus
BruinBus is a free shuttle service for the UCLA campus and Wilshire Center year-round. Its clean, air-conditioned buses are wheelchair accessible and eco-friendly. BruinBus provides charter and driver services for student groups and departments, and its friendly drivers are well-trained and knowledgeable about Westwood.
UCLA SmartRide
UCLA SafeRide is a free nighttime transportation service that operates during the school year. It includes a paratransit option for individuals with mobility challenges. The service transports students, faculty, and staff to campus buildings, on-campus housing, and nearby neighborhoods. Users can schedule rides via the TripShot app on the App Store or Google Play.
Zipcar
The hourly rate covers all costs, including mileage, insurance, parking, fuel, and maintenance-so you only pay for the time you use the vehicle. To get started with Zipcar, you can sign up online. Once registered, you will receive a Zipcard, which serves as your access key to this innovative service. As a member, you can conveniently reserve a vehicle by phone or online anytime. Zipcar makes it simple to reserve and pick up a car using your Zipcard. The key to the ignition is attached to the steering wheel column. Once you've finished using the car, park it in its designated spot, lock the doors, and leave the key in the ignition.
Shared Scooters and Bikes
Bird has an agreement with UCLA to provide the university community with electric scooters and bikes for shared rental. You can park and ride the shared scooters and bikes from the authorized vendor on campus. Please note that only the e-scooters and e-bikes from the authorized vendor are available for shared rental. You may ride these e-scooters and e-bikes on campus.
Los Angeles Public Buses
The Los Angeles bus system is an inexpensive way to get around the city, and UCLA students may even get additional discounts on top of the already affordable tickets. Check out these bus routes for a fun and adventure-filled day around this city with a trip to the beach, hills, or Hollywood.
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Staying Safe: Additional Tips
You can do your part by becoming aware and by always following safe practices. Contact the UCLA Police Department to report a crime or other incident on campus or to receive immediate help. You can contact the UCLA Police Department, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (310) 825-1491. Interested in getting the latest crime bulletin updates?
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