Otago Polytechnic Students Association co-presidents Meegan
Cloughley and Ryan Ward with the $3 taxi vouchers being
trialled for students over Orientation.
A Corporate sponsor has enabled the Otago Polytechnic
Students Association $3 taxi voucher scheme to be extended
before it is fully under way.
Arrow International has given $400, matching the amounts put
in by the association and polytechnic management.
The company's support was "fantastic", association
co-presidents Meegan Cloughley and Ryan Ward said yesterday.
"It does mean we can offer more subsidised trips. We had a
pretty limited budget before," Mr Ward said.
The scheme, designed to help students, especially young
women, get home safely during Orientation, began yesterday
and will run until the early hours of March 7.
Vouchers enable them to travel from central Dunedin or
Orientation events to their own residences for a maximum of
$3.
The remainder of the fare, up to $17 a trip, will be
subsidised.
Arrow had a strong relationship with the polytechnic and was
involved in two large construction projects on campus at
present, project manager Brian Shea said yesterday.
"Our construction sites are an inconvenience to students and
their flexibility and understanding has been outstanding, so
it is nice to be able to give something back."
Although not all students were aware of the scheme yet,
initial support was positive, Ms Cloughley and Mr Ward said.
Association staff were spreading the word among students
applying for their identification cards.
Several students queuing yesterday said the scheme was a
great idea.
Some, including Stephanie McNeill (19), of Mosgiel, were also
getting taxi vouchers.
Ms McNeill it would be good to be able to take a taxi home to
Mosgiel, if necessary.
"I'll still have to pay a bit, but it's better than paying 50
bucks."
Patrick Bishop (20), of Dunedin, said he usually walked home
after a night out but might use a taxi because it was
subsidised.
"I usually feel pretty safe if I'm walking in the [North
Dunedin] student area. But I don't feel so safe walking in
other parts of the city."
The Otago University Students Association is not offering a
subsidised taxi scheme.
President Edwin Darlow could not be reached for comment
yesterday.
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