Late Night Local! Want a Ride?
Have you ever been wandering around the UMaine campus late a night and a creepy, blue van asked you if you wanted a ride? If it’s between 9 pm and 2 am on a Friday or Saturday, don’t be alarmed! It’s probably just the Late Night Local!
The Local or the “Drunk Bus” is a safe ride alternative that runs almost every Friday and Saturday night throughout the school year. It drives all around the Orono/Old Town area picking up students in need of a ride. And here’s the best part: it’s free!
Many years ago, Dr. Robert Dana, Dean of Students, started the Local and would pay students to drive the Local around on weekends. In 1986, the stopped the program due to budget problems. But in 1988, Alpha Delta, a social service fraternity, volunteered to drive the Local. Eventually Alpha Delta included Gamma Sigma Sigma, a national service sorority, in the project.
Although the drivers are volunteers, Dean Dana and the Office of Student Affairs pay for the rental of the van, the gas, and any other expenses that occur like damages. Just this year, the Local has already experiences two broken armrests, a ripped of back panel and a smashed trashcan.
Here are some tips so you can have the best “Drunk Bus” experience:
1) Accept the ride- To prove that the Local is beneficial to the UMaine campus, it needs people to ride it.
2) Don’t be too demanding- The drivers of the Local have boundaries. There are some places they are not allowed to go but they will always take you as close to your destination as possible.
3) Don’t yell- Yelling ruins the experience not only for the other riders but also the driver. Although you are drunk, they are not so please don’t yell.
4) Don’t make a mess- If you do make a mess on the Local, the Local stops for the night to be cleaned.
5) Don’t damage the Local- Already this year there have been so many damages on the “Drunk Bus.” If these damages continue, the LNL could be stopped for good.
Most students the Local picks up are appreciative of the ride, but some can be a little rude. If you ever catch a ride on the “Drunk Bus” be sure to thank your driver! Also, be very careful of fake taxis! Make sure your ride is a legitimate taxi so you don’t get in any sticky situations!