Women's Transit: Not Just a Taxi Service

Volunteers of Washington State University’s Women’s Transit believe they are doing more than just giving rides; they are helping to stop sexual assault one woman at a time.

“It’s not like any other type of volunteer work,” Gottardi said. “You get to see the results right away.”

Student assistant Katemarie Gottardi, who is in her seventh semester volunteering for Women’s Transit, said she loves the work that she does for the program.

“When you get someone home OK, that’s one less person in danger of being sexually assaulted,” Gottardi said.

Women’s Transit, now in its 30th year at WSU, is a program that gives rides to women who would otherwise be walking alone at night. According to Coordinator Mary P. Anderson, the program started in 1977 using the volunteer’s own vehicles to transport women. Now the program has three vehicles and utilizes about 150 volunteers per semester. She said the volunteers are great, but it can be hard to fill some of the weekend late night shifts.

“Some (of the volunteers) like to work the late night shift,” Anderson said. “It has the most interesting passengers.”

Anderson stressed that Women’s Transit is not a taxi service; it is a sexual assault prevention program and is for women only. Although it is possible for men to be sexually assaulted, it is more likely for women. She said that statistically, only one in 33 men surveyed were sexually assaulted, while one in five women were sexually assaulted.

The program isn’t just for students, either. Any woman in Pullman who needs a ride after dark is welcome to take advantage of the program, and Anderson said there are plenty of regulars who do. The program is open to students, staff and faculty and community members.

The program operates within Pullman, seven days a week and provides door-to-door service. Hours of operation are 6 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends.

For more information or to obtain a ride, contact Women’s Transit at (509) 335-6830 or visit their Web site at www.women.wsu.edu/Transit/index.html.