'SAFE TAXI SCHEME' launched by V Cars to get students home safely if they don't have means to pay
Updated: Oct 23, 2021

As a new academic year begins and thousands of students have arrived in the South West, V Cars has pledged to support university students across Bristol and Bath with its Safe Taxi Scheme.
Working in collaboration with the Students' Unions at Bristol University, Bath Spa University and, most recently, Bath University, the Safe Taxi Scheme ensures that all students can get a lift home after a night out, even if they don’t have any money for the fare on them.
The taxi firm, part of the Veezu Group, offers the service to students at participating universities twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, allowing them to book a journey to the value of £20, and pay via their Student Union within 48 hours.
By phoning 01179 262626 (Bristol) or 01225 464646 (Bath), quoting either ‘Bristol University Safe Taxi Scheme’, ‘Bath Spa University Safe Taxi Scheme’ or ‘Bath University Safe Taxi Scheme’ and having a valid student card as proof of ID, a vehicle will be sent to stranded students as a matter of priority.
The end location must be a student residential address, halls of residence, police station or hospital. Members of each Student Union are fully trained to offer support and advice about the service and take payment.
Sarah Joyce from V Cars said: “Moving to a new area and starting university can be daunting, even more so for Freshers this year who are beginning their higher education experience in unusual circumstances.
“We are here as students in Bristol and Bath find their feet; our emergency service will ensure they get home safe without worry over finding the fare. Our precautionary safety and hygiene measures against Covid-19 will also provide students with peace of mind that their journey will be as safe as possible.”
Ifrah Farooq, Union Affairs Officer at Bristol University Student’s Union, said: “We have successfully partnered with V Cars during Freshers’ Weeks pre-pandemic, to offer every reassurance to our new students. It is an initiative which focuses on student welfare, and we will continue to support schemes like it in any way we can.”
Sian Bentley, Vice President Welfare and Community at Bath Spa University Students’ Union, added: “We are keen to support any scheme we can, if it improves the student experience, like this one does. It has been an unsettling time for all those starting university, after the turmoil of the last two years, but we’re thrilled with how our Freshers are settling in successfully and reassurances like the University Safe Taxi Scheme enhance this transition stage.”