My name is Ruby Sunshine Vandenbrook, I am a second year at UCSC who lived off campus my first year and am currently living at the same location.

When coming home from class, myself and many off campus students take the public transportation that the school provides. However, I have many fearful encounters with people in the Down Town area after the sun goes down.

This past Tuesday (1/17/23) while coming home from class, I was chased and sworn at, by a middle aged man. This event took place around 6:00PM, just as the sun was going down, still early in the night. I have taken the bus to and from classes for almost two years, and this is by far the most concerning thing that has happened to me while being in Santa Cruz.

Myself and many others want to feel safe coming home from classes, no matter the hour. We should feel joyful and confident when returning to our homes after a day of classes.

Other campuses such as USC provides transportation to and from classes via Lyft. Their hours for free rides take place 6:00PM-2:00AM seven days a week- https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/how-to-use-lyft/

Yes, UCSC provides free public transportation via Metro busses seven days a week. However, students like myself still have to walk from the station to our homes. As the Santa Cruz Metro Center (Pacific Station) is located in the Down Town area, this is the most unsafe location for students to be walking around at during late hours.

It may be impossible for UCSC to provide Lyft or Uber rides during the same hours that USC has been able to provide. Yet, providing rides home from class would be very helpful with increasing student safety. Ideally, having ride options available Monday-Friday from 5:00PM-9:00PM could help off campus students feel more comfortable in their city.