Agreement Enhances Transportation Offerings

Jul 17, 2020

A partnership between the University and the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority means 'greener' buses, other service enhancements.

booker towers

Cal U has signed an agreement with Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority that will provide greener, expanded transportation options this fall. 

The agreement permits Cal U faculty, staff and students with valid CalCard identification to ride all MMVTA routes at no charge. 

The MMVTA also will operate the Vulcan Flyer shuttles that run between the upper and lower campuses, with stops at Roadman Park, Vulcan Village and the Cal U Park and Ride on the upper campus and at Booker Towers and Hickory and Third streets on the main campus

Information for students, staff and faculty is available at mmvta.com/cal-u/ 

Those wishing to shop at Walmart in West Brownsville, Pa., may board on the MMVTA bus on the Local 2 route. 

An electronic overhead destination sign will be visible above the windshield of MMVTA buses to designate the bus’ name — Vulcan Flyer or Local 2 — and its destination. 

Special service will be Aug. 13-16, as students move back to campus. Visit calu.edu/parking for information.

Regular Vulcan Flyer shuttle service begins Aug. 17, the first day of fall semester classes. Buses will run 7 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays. Service will be offered from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Chris Johnston, the director of Cal U’s Office of Parking and Transportation, said the new partnership addresses feedback from approximately 200 students who responded to an electronic survey. 

In addition to wanting more environmentally-friendly vehicles, students mentioned a bus-tracking system to find when the next bus is scheduled to arrive; a fixed-time schedule, rather than buses arriving every 15 minutes; and ridership alerts. 

The MMVTA agreement addresses these requests.

The buses run on what is known as compressed natural gas, a clean alternative fuel that produces 20% to 30% less greenhouse gas emissions and 95% less tailpipe emissions compared to diesel fuel. 

“We feel confident that we will continue to provide reliable, timely service for students to access campus, classes, their meals and activities,” Johnston said.

For more information on the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority, including service information related to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit https://www.mmvta.com/.