OSU, Lyft partner for late-night rides

Ohio State University students are getting a new option for late-night rides.

The new Lyft Ride Smart program will replace its previous Safe Ride program for students seeking late-night transportation, the university announced Wednesday.

Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State launched Thursday and will provide discounted rides between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. within a university-designated service area, Ohio State said in a news release.

The designated service area stretches from 5th Avenue to the south to Hudson Street to the north. It is bound by North Star Road to the west and the Conrail railroad tracks past 4th Street to the east. West of Olentangy River Road, the northern boundary stretches to Ackerman Road.

Ohio State made the decision to switch to the Lyft program after user demand outgrew service capacity for its former Safe Ride program, the news release said.

Under Lyft Ride Smart, 10,000 discounted rides will be made available to students each month on a first-come, first-served basis. Ohio State will contribute $5 per ride, with riders picking up the remaining cost. To receive the program discount, users can only request shared rides.

The average cost for riders is expected to be about $2 or less, the university said. Prices could be impacted by distance, traffic, time of day, special events, and prime-time rates.

After the 10,000 monthly rides are used up, riders will pay normal service rates for Lyft for the rest of the month.