Last Updated on 2023-06-24
Free Shuttle
Pitt Shuttle
The Pitt shuttle primarily serves as transportation between various campus buildings during the academic semester and usually does not require Pitt student ID verification. You can check the routes and operating hours on the website or by using the Rider System app or TransLoc app for more convenience and up-to-date information.
CMU Shuttle
The CMU shuttle primarily serves transportation between North Oakland, Shadyside, and Squirrel Hill during the academic semester. There may be instances where CMU student ID verification is required for boarding. For detailed information on routes and operating hours, you can visit the website or use the Rider System app or TransLoc app to access up-to-date schedules and route information.
Safe Rider
Safe Rider is an evening shuttle service provided for the safety and convenience of Pitt faculty, staff, and students. To utilize this service, you need to call 412-648-2255 or make a reservation through the TransLoc app. When boarding, you are required to present your Pitt ID and can bring up to two guests. The service is available once per night and limited to a maximum of 25 times per semester.
Safe Rider operates within designated areas, which can be found by referring to the provided link for area definitions. The service covers transportation between campus buildings, residences and the campus, and locations not served by regular bus or shuttle routes. It also includes transportation from the Greyhound, Megabus, or Amtrak stations back to the Pittsburgh campus, specifically on Sundays, the days before the start of classes, and the first day of classes.
The operating hours are as follows: During the academic semester:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 7:00 pm to 3:00 am
- Thursday to Saturday: 7:00 pm to 5:00 am
During the summer:
- Operating hours are consistent: 9:00 pm to 3:00 am.
Escort Shuttle
CMU offers the Escort shuttle service in the evenings, which operates on four fixed routes with designated stops for boarding and alighting. During the academic semester, the service runs from 6:30 pm to 6:30 am, and during non-academic periods, it operates from 6:30 pm to 1:30 am. To ride the Escort shuttle, you will be required to present your CMU student ID, and you are allowed to bring one guest with you.
UPMC Blue Shuttle
UPMC provides a free shuttle service for transportation between the Oakland and Shadyside campuses, clinics, and Family House. No identification is required to use this service. On weekdays, the shuttle operates from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm, and on holidays, the operating hours are from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, with fewer scheduled trips. For detailed route information and schedules, you can refer to the PDF or call 412-647-3194.
Bus
Buses in the area come in various colors, such as red, blue, and tan, but their functionality remains the same. When boarding the bus, passengers typically enter through the front door and either swipe their card or make a payment (exact fare, no change is given). In some cases, such as when the ticketing machine is out of order, this step may be skipped. Passengers can exit the bus through either the front or rear doors.
To check bus routes, you can use the Moovit website. For real-time bus location and routes, you can download apps such as Moovit, Transit, or Busgazer (iOS only) to track the buses. Other apps can be found by referring to the link. Google Maps is also a useful tool for planning bus routes.
Fare
Pitt and CMU students can ride all city buses for free using their student ID cards. The cash fare for bus rides is $2.75 per trip, with no transfer discounts available. However, if you have a ConnectCard, the fare is reduced to $2.50 per trip, and transfers cost only $1 per trip.
ConnectCards can be used to purchase daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly passes. These cards are available for purchase at various locations, including Pittsburgh International Airport, bus stations, and Giant Eagle stores. For more details on purchasing and using ConnectCards, please refer to the PRT website.
Common Routes in Oakland
71A/C: This route travels from Downtown along Fifth Ave, passing through Pitt, then turns onto Centre Ave, and continues through Shadyside Hospital, Giant Eagle, ALDI, before turning onto South Negley. Finally, it follows Penn Ave, passing Target and Trader Joe’s.
71B/D: Both routes enter and travel along Fifth Ave from Downtown. The 71B then turns onto Highland Ave and passes SSA – East Liberty, while the 71D turns onto Hamilton Ave.
54: This route goes through South Side, crosses the bridge, enters Fifth Ave, passes through Pitt, then turns onto Centre Ave. After a short distance, it turns onto Liberty Ave, passing Good Fortune Supermarket, Lily Supermarket, and the Strip District (traditional market area), and eventually arrives at Allegheny Center (museum district).
61A/B: These routes enter and travel along Forbes Ave from Downtown (returning to Pitt via Fifth Ave) and reach Squirrel Hill, heading east towards the eastern part of Pittsburgh.
61C/D: These routes enter and travel along Forbes Ave from Downtown (returning to Pitt via Fifth Ave) and reach Squirrel Hill. The 61C continues along the river towards the southern part of Pittsburgh, while the 61D takes a detour through Costco and the Waterfront shopping area before returning.
75: This route goes through South Side, crosses the bridge, enters Fifth Ave, passes through Pitt, then turns onto Ellsworth Ave. Finally, it turns north, passing the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, crossing the bridge, and arriving at the Walmart shopping area.
28X: This is the airport express route, starting at the entrance of CMU and passing through Pitt, Downtown, and Ikea. Please note that this is an express bus with limited stops to Downtown. Refer to the PDF for the schedule.
Bicycle Sharing System
POGOH, formerly known as Healthy Ride, is Pittsburgh’s bike-sharing system, offering both traditional pedal bikes and electric-assist bikes (E-Assist Bikes).
Renting Process:
- Mainly through the PBSC app, scan the QR code to rent a bike.
- Use the Membership Card to rent a bike. General members (excluding Mobility Justice members) need to contact customer service via phone or email to obtain the card.
- Returning Process: Slide the bike into any docking station and wait for the green indicator light to confirm the return is complete.
Temporary Parking: POGOH does not support bike locking. If you need to temporarily park the bike and it’s not in a situation where you can’t keep an eye on it, it is recommended to return the bike to a docking station.
Fees:
- Pay-as-you-go: Traditional pedal bike: $3.5/30 minutes; Electric-assist bike: $5/30 minutes.
- Flex Pass: $20/5 hours.
- Annual Membership: Traditional pedal bike is free for the first 30 minutes, and $1 for electric-assist bikes. Additional fees apply for exceeding the 30-minute time limit as per the “pay-as-you-go” rates. After returning the bike, you can immediately rent another bike and receive another 30 minutes of free ride time. Pitt provides free annual memberships.
- Pitt annually emails a discount code for free annual memberships (2022: PITT011287). Enter the discount code during registration to waive the annual fee. This code can only be used with a Pitt email account. ConnectCard users do not receive a discount.
- ConnectCard users will no longer receive the 15-minute free ride offer from POGOH.
Carsharing
Zipcar is a common car-sharing system in the United States. It offers the convenience of on-demand access to cars without the hassle of ownership. Here are some key points about Zipcar:
- Free fuel: Zipcar covers the cost of fuel, so you don’t have to worry about refueling the car.
- Basic insurance: Zipcar provides basic insurance coverage, and you have the option to add additional coverage to reduce the deductible.
- Return to original location: After using a Zipcar, it is required to return the car to its original designated parking spot.
Fees:
- Membership fee: Before using Zipcar, you need to pay a membership fee. The fee is $7 per month or $70 per year. Students may have a discounted annual fee of $25.
- Hourly rates: Zipcar charges by the hour for rentals, with rates typically starting above $9.5 per hour.
- Daily maximum: There is a maximum daily rate (usually above $79 per day) plus taxes, which ensures that you won’t pay more than a set amount for a full-day rental.
Scooter Sharing
Scoobi is Pittsburgh’s electric scooter-sharing system. It allows users to rent electric scooters with just a valid driver’s license. Scooters can be parked for free within designated blue zones in metered or permit parking areas.
Fees:
- Activation fee: $2 per ride.
- Per-minute fee: $0.36 per minute.
- Additional discounts are available for purchasing package deals.
E-scooter Sharing
SPIN is a shared electric scooter system introduced in July 2021 as part of a 2-year pilot program in Pittsburgh. Users can rent electric scooters and park them in designated street parking areas or bike racks. When parking, the scooter wheels should be perpendicular to the curb and should not obstruct sidewalks, bike lanes, or other pedestrian or traffic areas.
Fees:
- Activation fee: $1 per ride.
- Time-based charges: The per-minute fee is dynamically calculated and typically ranges from $0.15 to $0.55 per minute.
Private E-scooter is Illegal
Currently, riding privately-owned electric scooters (e-scooters) in public areas is not legal according to Pennsylvania state law. While it is uncommon to hear of police cracking down on private e-scooter riders, engaging in such activity carries significant legal risks in the event of a traffic accident or dispute.
Under Pennsylvania law, electric scooters are currently classified as “motor-driven cycles” and are subject to the same requirements as motor vehicles. This includes vehicle registration, appropriate insurance coverage, and adherence to vehicle inspection and driver’s licensing requirements. Thus, in the event of an accident where liability is being determined, any failure to meet these requirements may result in legal consequences.
It is important to be aware of and abide by the current laws and regulations regarding e-scooter usage to ensure personal safety and compliance with the law.
Cable Car
The Duquesne Incline and Monongahela Incline are iconic attractions in Pittsburgh, offering scenic views and nighttime experiences. Pitt and CMU students can ride the inclines for free with their student IDs.
Light Rail
Pittsburgh Light Rail operates primarily from Downtown to the south side of the river. Pitt and CMU students can also ride the light rail for free with their student IDs.
Airport Transportation
There are four main options for traveling to and from the airport
SuperShuttle, a popular airport bus service, has ceased operations since December 31, 2019.
28X Bus
The 28X bus departs from the entrance of CMU and stops at Cathedral Learning and Forbes Ave at Atwood St. (UPMC Hospital entrance). The bus does not pass through North Oakland, Shadyside, or Squirrel Hill. As the 28X operates later than regular buses, if there are no buses available during late-night hours, it is recommended to plan alternative transportation to nearby bus stops. Although it is an airport express bus, the bus design is the same as regular buses and does not have special luggage racks.
Uber / Lyft
The cost during off-peak hours is approximately $35 to $40, but during peak hours, it can reach around $80. It is advisable to make a reservation during peak or late-night hours to ensure availability and potentially secure a better price. There are designated pick-up and drop-off areas at the airport, typically located near the entrance of the main terminal.
Personal Pick-up
For example, from North Oakland, it usually takes an average of 30 minutes to reach the airport. There may be traffic congestion during weekday afternoons, which can increase travel time to 40 to 50 minutes or more.
Self-Driving
Parking at the airport is available in various fee-based parking lots, including Short Term, Long Term, Extended, and Economy (established on June 7, 2021). Rates vary, with the Economy parking being the least expensive option. Extended parking offers shuttle bus service, but it is also possible to walk to the airport terminal (approximately 10 to 15 minutes). Long Term and Economy parking areas do not provide shuttle service and require a walk to the airport terminal (approximately 5 to 10 minutes). For more details, please refer to the PIT website.
Long-Distance Bus:
Pittsburgh has limited options for long-distance bus travel, with Greyhound and Megabus being the most common choices.
Greyhound
Greyhound provides extensive coverage, with stations in all 48 contiguous U.S. states and most areas of Canada. The Pittsburgh Greyhound station is located in Downtown, about a 5 to 10-minute walk from major bus routes. On Greyhound buses, you’ll find amenities such as Wi-Fi and power outlets. Seating is not assigned and is based on a first-come, first-served basis. Greyhound offers student discounts. However, it’s important to note that only one checked bag is included, and additional bags may require an additional fee.
Megabus
Megabus is a low-cost long-distance bus service. Unlike traditional bus stations, Megabus picks up and drops off passengers at specific street corners in each city, and there are no covered waiting areas. It is recommended to arrive early at the designated waiting area, as it may change. When booking with Megabus, you’ll need to select a seat, and some seating options may come with an additional fee.
Train
Amtrak is the national rail service in the United States. While Amtrak operates in all 46 U.S. states and extends to some areas in Canada, the number of train stations in each state is limited, and the destinations accessible by train are also limited, with few departures (some routes passing through Pittsburgh have only one train per day). Amtrak focuses more on scenic and upscale travel experiences, offering amenities such as sleeping accommodations and dining areas. The seating on Amtrak trains is generally more spacious than on long-distance buses. However, it’s worth noting that not all routes provide Wi-Fi. Apart from the Chicago-Pittsburgh route, most Amtrak routes are slower compared to long-distance buses. Train fares are generally higher than airfares.