RamSafe
Stuck on campus late at night? RamSafe is the point-to-point evening transportation service dedicated for VCU students, faculty and staff. The program provides safe and free transportation to on-campus locations and nearby residences and buildings within defined boundaries on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. That means rather than waiting outside in the dark for your ride to arrive, you may continue studying in the library or dining in the Shafer Court Dining Center and wait for a phone notification that tells you your ride has arrived.
RamSafe will get you home safely, but it is not intended to be a personal taxi service and should not be used as such. RamSafe operates within VCU’s jurisdiction 365 days a year.
View RamSafe's service areas:
RamSafe Service Area- Monroe Park Campus
RamSafe Service Area- MCV Campus
MCV Campus Escort Service
For an escort on the MCV Campus, VCU students, staff and faculty should call 828-WALK (828-9255) This free service is designed to provide a safe ride to campus locations for any student or employee with a valid VCUCard. The escort service is available from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.
Alerts
RamSafe cross-campus restrictions have been temporarily lifted, effective Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. RamSafe is now accepting ride requests to the MCV Campus, beginning at 5 p.m. daily.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order requiring masks on public transportation is no longer in effect. As a result, masking will be optional when using VCU RamRide and RamSafe buses, effective immediately.
RamSafe hours of operation
Road closures and certain holidays may impact RamSafe's operating times; however, notifications will be posted in advance.
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Monroe Park Campus (RamSafe) |
5 p.m. to 8 a.m. |
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MCV Campus (VCUHS escort service: 828-WALK) |
5 p.m. to 8 a.m. |
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Fall/spring cross-campus* hours *travels to MCV Campus RamSafe cross-campus restrictions were temporarily lifted, effective Nov. 9, 2020. |
Mon - Fri: 12 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (calls are taken until 5:45 a.m.) Sat - Sun: 12 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. (calls are taken until 7:15 a.m.) Note: RamSafe service hours may be altered during the winter break. From Dec. 24-25, RamSafe will operate from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. |
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Summer cross-campus hours RamSafe cross-campus restrictions were temporarily lifted, effective Nov. 9, 2020. |
Mon - Fri: 7 p.m. to 6:45 a.m. (calls are taken until 6:30 a.m.) Sat - Sun: 5 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. (calls are taken until 7:15 a.m.) |
Resources
VCU faculty, staff and students can access the RamSafe app through any Android or iOS app store. Requests are also accepted through the VCU Mobile app or at ramsafe.vcu.edu. Changes to requests should be made by calling the RamSafe dispatcher at 828-SAFE (7233).
For a step-by-step guide on how to use the RamSafe app, download "How to use the new RamSafe app"
- Notifications: Drivers will notify you when they are about a block away, and again when they arrive at the pickup location. Notifications occur through the app and/or on your mobile device.
- You must accept to receive notifications when prompted upon opening the platform and should have the app launched to take advantage of these features.
- Users who call 828-SAFE AND have installed the app as well as provided their eID to the dispatcher for their "rider name" will receive notifications, tracking info., etc. through the app. Otherwise, notifications for all other users will occur via SMS.
- Real time ETAs: Estimated arrival times are adjusted in real-time; however, keep in mind that traffic, weather, etc. can alter these estimates.
- Enhanced tracking: Track your driver when you are next in line to receive a pick up when you reserve online or through the app.
- Accommodations: Request ADA and bike rack accommodations through the app.
- Cancellations: Cancel only when absolutely necessary; but, remember, canceling and resubmitting a request places the requestor at the bottom of the queue and does not provide a faster response time.
- Access RamSafe (ramsafe.vcu.edu) via desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. You can access the RamSafe app through VCU Mobile or download the RamSafe standalone app for iOS or Android. The RamSafe platform operates best in the stand-alone application.
- At ramsafe.vcu.edu, enter your eID and password and follow the prompts to enter a ride request. First-time users will need to enter a phone number in order to receive notifications.
- Provide the following information so that we may easily identify you and document our activity:
- Current pick up location
- Desired destination
- Number of people in your party (The passenger making the reservation must have a valid VCUCard; guests must have a guest pass)
- Any needed accommodations.
- Once your vehicle is assigned, you can track it until it arrives.
- Changes to requests should be made by calling the RamSafe dispatcher at 828-SAFE (7233).
- You will receive a notification once the RamSafe bus reaches your destination. The driver will wait 3 minutes before leaving.
- Enjoy your ride!
PLEASE NOTE: More than 3 no-shows and/or cancellations during the semester may result in termination of riding privileges for that term.
- A VCUCard must be presented when boarding. A maximum of 2 guests can ride with a valid VCUCard.
- The driver may also ask for verification of the last 4 digits of your phone number to verify the request.
- Masks must be worn during the entire ride.
- No smoking is allowed, including electronic cigarette use and/or vaping devices.
- Pets are not allowed. Registered service animals, however, are welcome.
- No alcohol (in open or closed containers) is permitted.
- Food or drinks must be in a closed container.
- Changes to requests should be made by calling the RamSafe dispatcher at 828-SAFE (7233).
- Items that are transported on the bus should fit on passengers' laps or between their legs to enable safe ingress and egress.
- Passengers should not chase after the bus under any circumstance.
- VCU Parking and Transportation reserves the right to deny transport to any passenger if, based upon the judgment of the driver, the passenger’s behavior presents a danger to the vehicle, the driver, and/or other passengers.
Guests can now ride RamSafe with a valid VCU ID card.
VCU Parking and Transportation maintains a separate lost and found inventory via the web application Crowdfind. The Crowdfind system is designed to make it easier for students, staff and visitors in the area to easily search electronic files for a lost item and file a claim for the item at any time from any device, once they are able to positively identify and confirm that the item belongs to them. If you believe you left an item on a RamSafe bus, please visit the Lost & Found section for retrieval instructions.