Waterford students urged to 'stay safe'

Waterford students are being urged to stay safe and never walk home alone after a night out as part of a new initiative launched by Waterford Institute of Technology.

Waterford Taxi Company Rapid Cabs and WIT Students ’ Union have teamed up to launch the ‘safe home scheme’, which offers students a 24 hour taxi service in a bid to discourage them from walking home alone.

Students can get a taxi rather than walking home alone by leaving their WIT Card and paying the fare when they collect it the next day.

Michelle Byrne, WITSU President said it is an effective way of making sure students are never left to walk home alone late at night, even if they don’t have the money for a taxi.

"The Students' Union is delighted to be able to work with Rapid Cabs on this scheme. Student safety is vitally important to us.

We encourage students not to walk home alone from nights out. This partnership will ensure students get home safely even if they have run out of money on the night.

She stressed that, "people need to plan their night out, and that includes getting home,” she said.

The aim of the initiative is to encourage students to make safe choices during nights out.

“In our industry we see it all. Being safe when out at night comes down to making smart decisions. That is why messages like this are so important. It seems obvious not to walk home alone but when you are out and have no money, you do not think you have a choice. Now you do,” Rapid Cabs CEO Eric O’Brien concluded.