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.
Road closures and certain holidays may impact RamSafe's operating times; however, notifications will posted in advance.
View the RamSafe service areas: RamSafe Service Area- Monroe Park Campus and RamSafe Service Area- MCV Campus
MCV Campus Escort
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.
RamSafe cross-campus restrictions have been temporarily lifted, effective Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. RamSafe will begin accepting ride requests to the MCV Campus, beginning at 5 p.m.
On August 1, 2020 at 5 p.m., RamSafe will resume normal service with physical distancing measures in place. RamSafe buses will operate at fifty percent capacity. All passengers must wear protective face masks upon boarding, and hand sanitizer will be made available at the front of the bus. Passengers should allow extra time in their commute to account for delays related to reduced occupancy. To reduce the potential spread of infection, guest passes have been suspended until further notice.
We remain committed to providing a safe and responsible transportation service for all faculty, staff and students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Protecting riders’ health and safety throughout this pandemic is paramount. Accordingly, the following guidelines will be in place to keep critical services functioning and accessible. View the RamSafe COVID-19 precautions and guidelines.
The RamSafe service area has been updated to include the area along Duval Street on the south side of Interstate 95 as far west as 5th street. Areas west of 5th street will no longer be included in the service area. However, the service has been extended to include the area around the Richmond Coliseum east of 5th street, as far south as Broad street. The new service area will also include the area around Capitol Square between Broad and 8th street, as far south along 8th street as Main Street. The block south of Main Street to Cary Street will no longer be serviced. The rest of the service area will remain the same, including I Lot and A Lot. See a map of the updated service area here.
| RamSafe Hours of Operation | |
|---|---|
|
Monroe Park Campus (RamSafe) |
5 p.m. to 8 a.m. |
|
MCV Campus (VCUHS escort service- 828-WALK) |
5 p.m. to 8 a.m. |
|
Fall/spring cross-campus* hours *travels to MCV Campus RamSafe cross-campus restrictions have been 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.; additionally, limited buses will be in service from Nov. 25, 2020, to Jan. 14, 2021. |
|
Summer Cross-campus hours |
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.) |
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.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19 and ensure passenger safety, guests will not be permitted to ride RamSafe vehicles during the fall 2020-21 academic year.
- 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.
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.