On Thursday Jan. 23, Public Safety sent an email informing the university community that the hours of the late night shuttle service to the D train and Belmont community would be extended to start at 8 p.m. instead of 10 p.m.

Robert Fitzer, director of Public Safety for Rose Hill and Westchester, said the decision was made in response to a meeting with representatives from the United Student Government.

Kaylee Wong, GSB ’20, executive president of USG, said John Carroll, associate vice president of Public Safety, and Fitzer were extremely receptive to the idea.

“When we explained the ways that we thought it would benefit all students, especially commuter students, they understood our reasoning and told us they would reach out and see if it was possible,” she said. “We were so shocked that the next day they confirmed that it would be extended by the end of the week.”

Fitzer said Public Safety surveyed the local businesses along Fordham Road and realized that many of the businesses are now closing earlier.

“We decided for the safety of our students we would expand the hours to 8 p.m.,” he said. “This will be of great benefit to many of our commuter students that have class until 9:15 p.m. and utilize the subway at Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse.”

The initiative was originally proposed by senator Alex Chavez, GSB ’23.

“I proposed this initiative because I noticed the need that many students had regarding safety at night,” he said. “During the winter, the sun sets at around 5:30 p.m. or even earlier. Many commuter students that stayed for events and night classes that ended at 9:15 p.m. had to wait up to 40 minutes at the bus stop just to go home. Also, many off-campus students who wanted to get to their apartments would have to walk through snow and slippery sidewalks at night, which increased the risk of accidents.”

Chavez said he thinks that the new changes will help students who have a long commute and will increase student safety, positively enhancing students’ experiences.

Wong said she thought it was extremely important to bring Chavez’s idea to Public Safety because the extended hours would be beneficial during the early dark hours in the winter. She said it would also allow students who take night classes or stay on campus late to utilize the service more often.

According to the email, the shuttle service hours would start at 8 p.m. instead of 10 p.m., effective Friday, Jan. 24. The service will continue to be provided for free. The vans will operate seven days a week between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Two vans will go to-and-from the D train Fordham Road-Grand Concourse stop at East 188th Street and the Bathgate entrance to Rose Hill’s Campus.

There will always be at least one van at the subway station. The service will be reduced to one van traveling back and forth to the D train during winter and summer breaks.

“As always, our primary concern is the safety of our Fordham community members,” said Fitzer. “I anticipate that we will see a marked increase in the usage of our shuttles. This expanded service will benefit our community that utilize the subway system at that time.”

Fitzer said Public Safety does not have any plans to start a shuttle service to the 4 train; therefore, students must transfer from the D train at 161st Street/Yankee Stadium.

“This is a very safe place to transfer, as there is a Transit Police station at that stop,” he said.

Fitzer said they are not currently planning to expand this service any further.

“The hours that are currently available will benefit the greatest amount of students in the safest possible way,” he said.