Students to get €25k in taxi vouchers

Students planning a night out were offered almost €25,000 in taxi vouchers yesterday as part of a “get home safe” campaign.

Drinkaware.ie and the taxi industry teamed up to target UCC students as part of the campaign.

“This is a really exciting time for students. And it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget to plan ahead,” said Fionnuala Sheehan, the chief executive of drinkaware.ie. She urged students to pace their drinking and to download the Hailo app which will give them easy access to a taxi.

“Downloading the Hailo app means that you won’t end up waiting alone or walking around town trying to flag a taxi down by yourself — you can call the driver to your location with the tap of a button, and even pay by card so you don’t have to worry about having cash in your wallet.”

The app ensures that students are only ever two taps away from a licensed taxi. Each journey is recorded and tracked, with the driver’s photo and roof sign number displayed on phones so customers can be assured of their safety during the trip. The app features a call button, putting customers in direct contact with their driver, and there is an option to offer feedback.

The app is available for both Apple and Android.

Meanwhile, the new CCTV system on College Rd was officially launched yesterday. A joint initiative between Garda, Cork City Council and UCC, positioned three cameras near Brookfield, at the junction of Gaol Walk and Highfield Ave, and at the junction of Donovan’s Rd and College Rd, are now being monitored 24/7 by gardaí at Anglesea St Garda Station.