Students lead launch of LoboLift, new after-dark ride service at UNM

Years of student advocacy have come to life at The University of New Mexico with the launch of LoboLift, a free, peer-to-peer ride service that reflects a student-centered approach to campus safety and mobility after dark.

The latest campus safety initiative was developed through a collaboration between the Associated Students of The University of New Mexico (ASUNM) and UNM Parking & Transportation Services (PATS), and supported by funding from the New Mexico State Legislature and the UNM President's Office.

Designed by students and powered by collaboration, LoboLift is the latest campus safety initiative at The University of New Mexico. The free service offers on-demand rides after dark to help students move across central campus with greater confidence, peace of mind and helping shape a safer, more connected campus with the launch of LoboLift. The service is staffed by trained student employees and designed to meet the real, everyday needs of Lobos moving across campus after dark.

"This is such a meaningful opportunity to launch the Global Lift Program today. I want to sincerely thank everyone at ISS who made this possible," said Andrew Norton, ASUNM president. "This was truly a collaborative effort. It took many years to get here-and that's a good thing. It speaks to initiative, leadership, and the power of student government.

Whether heading home from a late study session, an evening club meeting, or crossing campus at night, students can request a ride by calling (505) 706-3430. A trained student driver will be dispatched to pick up riders on UNM's central campus, providing a convenient and accessible option focused on safety and peace of mind.

"This initiative gave us an opportunity to continue our collaboration with the students on making some of their initiatives operational," said PATS Director Shawn Arruti. "The LOBO Lift program is just one of the many programs that PATS has been able to participate with the students to improve the safety of the campus community and improve the services that are being offered. We have other initiatives that are also on campus that would not be possible without the student led initiatives and connecting, making it happen with the Bike Valet program, with the Transportation Information Center, and now the local LIFT program."

The LoboLift program has been shaped over multiple student government administrations, with continued partnership and coordination among students, university leadership, and state stakeholders to bring the service to life at a time when it can have meaningful impact for the broader student body.

"This initiative began four years ago during a legislative session, and through administration after administration, no one gave up," added Norton. "Each year, different student leaders contributed their ideas and moved the project one step further. We're fortunate to be here at this final stage, but this moment belongs to everyone who came before us."

The LoboLift pilot service launched Tuesday, Jan. 20, the start of the Spring 2026 semester, and will operate through June 30, 2026. During the pilot period, Parking & Transportation Services will collect ridership data and user feedback to help evaluate the service to make informed decisions about future operations and long-term funding.

For more information including FAQs, visit LoboLift.