Here’s a list of our most frequently asked questions. If you don’t find an answer to your question here, please email us.
I need a safe-walk. How do I use your service?
It’s easy as 1-2-3. Call us at 514-398-2498 or request a walk online during our operation hours, tell us your current location and destination, and we will dispatch a team of two volunteers to you.
What happens on a safe-walk?
Our team will meet you at the discussed location and walk you to your destination. If you want to talk, our volunteers are happy to strike up a conversation, and if you prefer quiet, that’s completely valid too.
I need to take public transport. Can your team accompany me on the metro?
Yes! We can absolutely take public transport with you. That being said, we cannot pay for your fare.
If I take a taxi or Uber, can WALKSAFE come with me?
For sure! We can take a taxi or Uber, however, we cannot pay the fare for you. And as we travel in teams of two, please ensure that the vehicle has enough seatbelts to accompany yourself, other travel buddies if any, and our volunteers.
I’d like to reserve WALKSAFE at a certain time. Can I do that?
Unfortunately, we operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. We do not book safe-walks in advance.
Where exactly do you operate from?
We are operating out of the SSMU building 3480 McTavish on the fourth floor for all regular shifts. For event shifts, we operate on-site of the event.
Do you operate over the summer or during Holiday break?
No. WALKSAFE also does not operate during McGill Calendar Holidays including Thanksgiving and Easter, nor over reading weeks.
When do you start operating?
We normally begin operating during the second week of the Fall semester and finish off on the last day of classes. In the Winter, we start back up usually the first week of classes and finish again, on the last day of classes.
Do you operate during exam time?
We intend to! The winter semester of 2019 was our first trial run and it went amazing, so we figured why not keep this going. We have special operation times during this time. As this is still a relatively new feature of WALKSAFE, we will provide more information closer to exam time.
I need a safe-walk but WALKSAFE isn’t operating. What do I do now?
Assuming you live close to campus, contact McGill security and one of their agents can walk you home. The downtown campus number is 514-398-3000. The Macdonald campus number is 514-398-7777. DriveSafe is a free SSMU service that drives students home on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 PM to 3 AM. Their number is 514-398-8040.
So, how can I get involved with WALKSAFE?
We’re always looking for new faces to join the service. We recruit at the beginning of the Fall and Winter semester. You can visit us at Activities Night, send us a quick email, or contact us via our Facebook page.
I heard about this service called DriveSafe. Are you them?
They are an equally spectacular service, but alas, we are two separate services. We walk people. They drive people. You can check them out at the DriveSafe website or visit the DriveSafe Facebook page.