Florida company helps Iowa students make it home

IOWA CITY (AP) - A Florida company is offering University of Iowa students another option for getting home.

The company, University Cab Cash, is working with Iowa City-based Yellow Cab to issue debit cards to students that they can use to catch rides. Money can be added to the cards online, then riders swipe the card to pay a fare.

The company offers the service on about 50 campus areas nationwide. The area near the Iowa campus has had repeated problems with late-night assaults, prompting police and some business owners to increase patrols.

Company president Jason Willoughby says parents are usually the ones who buy the debit cards because they worry about their children. He says about 200 people in Iowa City have the cards.