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The Gopher Chauffeur is a free transportation service that promotes safety in the campus community by providing University of Minnesota students with safe rides home.
We operate from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The service is open to all University of Minnesota-Twin Cities students. Gopher Chauffeur drivers, navigators, and dispatchers are hired by Boynton Health Service. All employees are University of Minnesota-Twin Cities students who are CPR certified and trained in first aid.
The Gopher Chauffeur is sponsored by Boynton Health Service, the Minnesota Student Association, the Office for Student Affairs, Parking and Transportation Services, Housing and Residential Life, the Interfraternal Council, and the Panhellenic Council. Gopher Chauffeur sponsors are committed to promoting the safety of University of Minnesota students.
Call: (612) 388-6911
To schedule a pick-up, call the Gopher Chauffeur 30 minutes before your preferred pick-up time (sorry, no text messages!).
Gopher Chauffeur will pick students up from the following locations: West Bank, areas immediately surrounding West Bank (Grand Marc, Seven Corners), Dinkytown, Marcy Park, Como, East Bank, Stadium Village, St. Paul Campus, and anything between East Bank and St. Paul campuses.
While you’re waiting for the Gopher Chauffeur to pick you up, please stay in a building or in a well-lit area. The Gopher Chauffeur dispatcher will give the navigator your phone number, and the navigator will call you when the Gopher Chauffeur arrives at your pick-up location.
The Gopher Chauffeur will drop students off at residences on or near the west bank, east bank, and St. Paul campuses and Uptown Minneapolis. View the Gopher Chauffeur boundaries map.
Will the Gopher Chauffeur drive me from my residence to a bar or a house party? No! Gopher Chauffeur provides safe rides home.
Can I eat while in the Gopher Chauffeur? No, please do not bring food or beverages other than water into the Gopher Chauffeur. We want to keep the vans clear and critter free.
Will the drivers take music requests? This is up to the navigator! As long is it does not create a distraction, some navigators may let you choose the music.
Do I have any other transportation options? These resources are good transportation options if the Gopher Chauffeur is busy.
Campus Escorts–Free walking and biking security escorts to and from campus locations and nearby adjacent neighborhoods for all students, staff, faculty, and visitors (612-624-WALK)
Campus Connector–Provides direct bus service between the St. Paul, East Bank, and West Bank campuses approximately every five to 30 minutes from 7:00 a.m. through midnight, depending on the time of day and academic year
Gophers After Dark Express–Free late night shuttle that runs every 15 minutes until 2:10 a.m. and stops at Coffman Memorial Union, West Bank Skyway, Sanford Hall, McNamara Alumni Center, and Transportation and Safety Building
To schedule a pick up call (612) 388-6911 30 minutes before your preferred pick-up time (sorry, no texts!).
Julie Sanem, Advisor
(612) 624-1940, jsanem@bhs.umn.edu
Spring 2013
January 25–May 4, 2013
10:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Friday and Saturday nights
Closed University holidays
The Gopher Chauffeur does not operate during the summer. We will begin operating for the fall 2013 semester on August 30, 2013.
2008 Rookie Campus Life Program, Awarded by University of Minnesota Student Unions and Activities, as part of their Tony Diggs Excellence Awards.
If you are interested in working for the Gopher Chauffeur, please contact Julie Sanem at jsanem@bhs.umn.edu or (612) 624-1940.
