By Sofia McGinnis
TAMPA, Fla. — Rive Transport is looking to partner with The University of Tampa to create a shuttle to drive students. The shuttle will drive around campus, pick up students, and bring them to different locations around Tampa.
Michael Pallitto, the co-owner and founder of Rive Transport Inc., talks about the plans to partner with UTampa.
“We are not officially partnered or affiliated with The University of Tampa,” said Pallitto. “However, we did reach out to the administration to introduce our services [to make] this transportation option successful for students.”
The shuttles are aimed exclusively at UTampa students, providing a safe and reliable way to navigate the city. Stops include many students’ favorites such as Hyde Park Cafe, Tangra, and more.
“Since launching two weeks ago, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Daniella Rodriguez, an elementary education major, having just heard about it, thinks it will be a great inclusion on campus.
“I think it is an amazing idea. Especially since it is a fact that teenagers should not be walking at night,” Rodriguez said.
Rive Transport also takes safety seriously. Drivers undergo rigorous drug and alcohol testing as well as comprehensive background checks.
“Unlike rideshare apps, where students may not know much about their driver, our service ensures familiarity and trust,” said Pallitto.
GPS monitors are also installed, as well as a text-based pickup request system, for convenience and to allow students to see where their shuttle is in real time.
Students such as Gabrielle Phillips, a sophomore allied health major, are glad that they have a safe alternatives to rides.
“With drunk driving being such a big issue [these days] and downtown not always being the safest to walk, I do believe that this could help students’ overall safety,” said Phillips.
UTampa seems to be taking action to help with student safety, especially concerning nightly trips.
In 2022, a University of Tampa student lost his life as he tried to enter the wrong vehicle after a night out celebrating his birthday.
According to Fox 13 News, “The attorney [of the family] said [the student] was shot and killed as he tried to get into a car that he thought was an Uber.”
Recently, there was a student who was hit by a Mercedes late at night. According to ABC Action News, “On April 2, police said a 17-year-old boy was hit by a Mercedes on Cass Street Bridge in Downtown Tampa.”
Pallitto has stated that, “our service is not a response to any specific safety concerns, [but] rather it is designed to give students a safe, affordable, and reliable transportation.”
However, students are happy to hear of the changes being made for students’ safety during late nights and early mornings.
Paul Clapham, a business management major with a minor in communications, expresses his happiness with the new shuttle service.
“People have definitely talked about feeling unsafe walking alone, so it seems like this service is trying to step in where the school maybe hasn’t done enough yet,” said Clapham.
The cost of the shuttle has been set at $99 per semester. However, that does not mean it is not in service for students to use.
“Given the late timing in the school year, we are offering unlimited rides from Wednesday to Saturday, 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., for a flat fee of $49 until the end of the semester,” said Palitto.
On the other hand, considering the price, some students might back down from the offer.
“$49 for unlimited rides for the rest of the semester isn’t bad at all compared to Uber costs,” said Clapham. “But if someone has a car or isn’t out a lot, they might skip it. I think it depends on how well they market it.”
This story was updated at 8:30 p.m. on April 9 to clarify that there is no partnership between UTampa and Rive Transport.