My D is first year and plans to take the train home later this Fall. She’s about 25 minutes from Amtrak station. While I have no problem with her taking ubers on her own for short hops in cities, for some reason I feel a little sketchy about getting an Uber for a 25 minute drive through mostly country roads.
Unfort, the weekend she’s coming home is not Fall break so she probably can’t find someone to go with her. (Small college and train line doesn’t really go many places so it’s not used by students a lot, but she’ll try by posting something on the student FB group.
Am thinking maybe she should set up a taxi ride b/c that’s more established? Am I over-thinking this?
I don’t know if I personally feel much more comfortable with a taxi over a Uber/Lyft.
Have you checked to see what time the train she would want to take runs? My S’s college town was an Amtrak stop that would come to our town but the times were really odd - like “middle of the night” odd (really late or really early).
No chance a friend at school would take her to the train station if she paid them???
I would feel more comfortable with lyft or uber than a standard taxi too. I would have your daughter call you when she gets in the uber and stay on the phone with her the whole time.
I personally would trust Uber/Lyft more because all drivers have to maintain a pretty high rating to continue being a driver, and you have the option to rate/report them instantly. Also if it is a big distance, you get the pricepoints and stuff ahead of time so there is no trickery with the meters etc. Others are correct that there may be a shuttle service or an opportunity to carpool with others from the college
I like @abasket 's idea; how about offering cash to a friend to driver her? She could offer enough to make it worth their while, and you both would have peace of mind.
I agree that it is safe but when I was a single young women I always carried pepper spray when I went running. I think about beautiful Mollie Tibbets and wish she had had some with her. I don’t know what states it is legal in and where it isn’t, but it also sold as “bear spray” for hikers and campers. It may sound as if I was over prepared but I always had it somewhere very accessible to give me time to get away if needed.
I’m sure a personal safety expert would have other ideas and plans for anyone to stay safe. This is JMHO but I think anyone, especially young women needs to “think through” their personal safety and what their options are.
I also would imagine your daughter’s college has some transportation to the train station. Usually schools in rural areas help make themselves more accessible.
IMO your fear is due to what you aren’t familiar with. I live in a more rural area where Amtrak is at least half an hour away and I don’t feel any sort of fear. I walk alone at night often. It’s wonderful listening to the frogs, insects, owls, etc.
Around here folks routinely issue safety warnings about cities - even for public transportation. The occasional rogue cab or Uber driver (in cities) make the news so folks assume that’s the norm.
Rural areas aren’t generally high crime districts.
Thanks everyone for your input. The same day I posted this a parent in the college’s FB parent group posted same question. Their kid took Uber and it was no problem. Someone also shared a local car service link. So I’m sure it’ll be fine. Tks for weighing in!