Cab company shorts Campus Cash fare

In the wee morning hours on any given weekend in the University Heights, throngs of Ellicott, Governors and campus apartment residents line the streets in front of every bar and restaurant with one goal in mind - getting back to North Campus.

At a time in the evening when many people are either too exhausted or otherwise incapacitated to make major decisions, one safety net for that necessary ride home used to be an easy choice - paying for a Liberty Cab with Campus Cash, a taxable debit account that can be pre-paid onto a UB Card.

Liberty Cab, one of the larger taxi services in the city of Buffalo, used to accept Campus Cash. This academic year, because of Liberty Cab's inability to meet requirements set by the university for Campus Cash vendors, the taxi service can no longer be charged to UB Cards.

According to Charles Orcutt, controller of UB's Campus Dining and Shops, Liberty Cab did not meet insurance requirements set by UB for all non-university companies that accept Campus Cash.

"We learned that Liberty Cab did not have the proper coverage earlier this year," Orcutt said. "We sent them a letter stating that we would not renew their agreement and they could no longer accept Campus Cash after May 31."

Now as UB residents get ready to wrap up a night out, remembering to save a few dollars apiece for cab fare can mean the difference between getting back easily and getting ready for a long walk.

"From South to North it's like 20 bucks," said Daniel Malmud, a sophomore history major.

As a student who relies heavily on Campus Cash for "books, food at the Elli and in The Commons" and used it for cab fare in the past, Malmud is one of the many people who are not happy about the change in policy.

"I haven't used Liberty Cab since they stopped taking Campus Cash," Malmud said. "It isn't exactly the best cab service, but I used them (last year) because they took Campus Cash. Now that they don't, I might as well call a quicker service."

Liberty Cab was unavailable to comment on its status with Campus Cash, its insurance, or whether the suspension from Campus Cash has had any effect on its business.

Orcutt said Liberty Cab was the only taxi service to accept Campus Cash in the past, and one that many students relied on.

"FSA realized that taxi service is an important service and we wanted to have a taxi company in the Campus Cash program," Orcutt said, adding that he sent out letters of interest outlining the necessary insurance coverage to over 15 taxi companies in Buffalo.

"I did not receive a single reply," Orcutt said.

Discussions about Campus Cash often lead to ways people would like to see it become more useful.

"I'd like to use it at some of the places on South," said Malmud. "Sal's, University Hots, and maybe even Wegmans or Tops would be helpful."

For now, students will either be left to roadside accounting and cash collection before heading home after a late night out, or double check with that designated driver.