DDS: Designated Driver Shuttle

DDS Tips
The Do's and Don't's of calling in

Call in early!
Usually, on a college weekend (Thurs. - Sat.), we get really busy, and we recieve so many rides that we have a backlog that sometimes takes up to 90 minutes to clear up, sometimes forcing us to stop taking rides before 2:30!! Therefore, to make sure that you get a ride home, and when you really want to go, call in at least half an hour before you want to go home. This is, on average, the time it takes for the van to arrive at your location. Even if you don't plan on leaving in half an hour, call anyways...we can get flooded with incoming calls in a matter of five minutes. Therefore, call often... ask the operator what the wait time is. You can always just call again later, and then be put on the waiting list. Call early, call often, and you'll surely make it home, and when you really want to, too!
If you don't need a ride anymore...Cancel!
One of the most frusterating things for us is when we drive a long way to pick someone up, call them because we're out front, and then have the operator tell us that our rider has changed their minds. It's annoying for our drivers, and it slows down our operating time because our driver's had to drive out to somewhere, when they could be picking up the next riders. It's an inconvenience for everyone that uses DDS, so if you're not going to need a ride anymore, just call in and cancel you're ride. Our operators will be happy to do so, so don't feel bad!
Don't harass the dispatchers!
It happens every night... someone will call in and start yelling and swearing at our phone operators about where their ride is, or how bad we are doing our jobs, etc. In case you don't know, yelling is a sure-fire way to be eliminated from our ride lists! While we are dedicated to preventing at-risk drivers from takikng their chances on the road, thereby putting themselves and others at risk, we understand that threatening to get behind the wheel unless we offer a ride is almost always an empty threat. We strongly encourage you to seek alternatives if you are dissatisfied with the quality of our service...almost always our operators will provide the number of taxis if requested, or a number to reach our sister group, APS. But please, it's not our dispatcher's fault the you don't like to wait patiently. And also, don't harass or argue the dispatcher's...if you do, we will ensure that your name is moved to the very bottom of the list.
Leave all alcohol behind in a safe place!
Don't even think about trying to bring alcohol on board...it's not going to happen. Asking kindly doesn't work, and sneaking things in usually doesn't work either. Come on, how sneaky do you really think you are when you carry on a backpack that sounds like glass windchimes and smells worse than nail polish remover. You're not that sneaky when you're drunk, and trying to sneak them onboard will get you the long and boring lecture about how we won't allow alcohol on the vans, etc., etc. Therefore, do yourself a favor, and take care of it beforehand! Leave it with a trusted friend at the party...someone who you know will safeguard something better than Frodo Baggins. Or, you can take the "rugged" approach, and hide your stash in a marked, but inconspicuous bush or flowerbed, only to return the day after and dig up your loot!
Don't puke in the vans!
Ok...there has been alot of dispute on this one. IT SEEMS, to my much addled surprise, that there is a group belief (a minor one, be it so) that puking in the DDS vans is an "experience," much like an college initiation rite. Let me attempt to dispell those beliefs...there are many places to puke in the fair college town of Eugene...but no matter where you do it, puking is not glamorous. Not at all. There's no need to go into the details...we've all been at that point before, and we all know how it feels immediatly afterwards. The embaressment, the shame...the feeling of a rock in your stomach...these are all signs that what you just did was a bad thing. And when all is said and done, theres the leftovers to clean up! Puking outside is easy...just hose off, and you're done (you can even do the less honorable thing and run away...there's not much outside that puke will actually harm.) A laminated floor is bad, but managable with a trusty mop and simple cleaner. Carpet is even worse, but a car is by far the most awful...there are no cleaners available, not a good supply of hot water, plus the horror of the smell of it all while you're trying to get somewhere to clean it up. Just do everyone a favor: if you feel like you might blow chunks, please do so before you get in the vans. We do have plastic bags for you in the van if you might blow en route to your destination, but it's just easier for us if we don't have to worry about Mount St. Helens riding with us in the van.
Don't forget to tip your driver! When you think about it, DDS is a pretty sweet program. It's something that we all strongly believe in, and we want others to undestand and appreciate it, too. I mean, come on...we come and pick you up...for free, mind you...take you wherever you need to get to, we don't ask questions, and it usually doesn't take too long either. The least you can do to show your appreciation is tip your driver. They work long hours, and they have to deal with a lot of stupid people during their shifts. Tips make the day, so show your respects in the fondly labeled "beer money" cups near the cabin of the vans. Even if it's just a dollar or some loose change, anything is better than nothing. Think about it...without DDS, you would spend much more than a dollar on a taxi home. Not only does it make sense, its just the appropriate thing to do. On a more personal note, whether we take you home or someone else doesn, be sure to thank or tip your designated driver. By staying sober and taking you home safely, they may have just saved your life. Karma is real...be sure to pass it around.