Student Forgets to Scan ID, Central Shuttle Ignites

By Evan Bernstein

Nov. 22, 2013

BREAKING NEWS At approximately 6:04 P.M. Thursday, a UChicago NightRide shuttle bus burst into flames after second-year Devon McLaster forgot to scan his UCID card when boarding. Current NightRide policy requires that all riders scan their ID cards before taking their seats. This policy followed a trial period which encouraged students to scan their IDs, but still allowed passengers to ride without them. On November 14th, the program left its trial period, but lax adherence and enforcement had become habitual. Citing poor compliance with the new policy, the UChicago Department of Safety and Security last week installed new measures to ensure the obedience of riders. These precautions may or may not include automatic ignition of the vehicle if and when a students forget to scan their card.

The Chicago Shady Dealer has obtained a transcript of the recording from the black-box recovered from Thursday’s incident.

Driver: Scan your ID, please.

Driver: ID.

Driver: Scan your ID, please.

Driver: Sir, you need to scan your ID.

Driver: Sir?

McLaster: I don’t [have] it.

Driver: You need to scan your ID.

McLaster: Sorry.

Driver: Please do not board without scanning your ID.

Driver: Sir? Sir?? You really need to scan your- oh god! Everybody get off the bus!

When reached for comment, the Department of Safety and Security issued the following statement: The new NightRide compliance policies are in place to ensure the safety and security of all UChicago students, and to make sure that students scan their IDs prior to boarding.

We will update this story when casualty counts are confirmed.