UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Transportation Services has announced changes to the Campus Shuttle via Beaver Avenue and Red Link campus transit routes for the fall 2023 semester.
As a result of these changes, service to the Mount Nittany Medical Center, Centre Medical Sciences Building, and Innovation Park will shift from the Red Link to the Campus Shuttle via Beaver Avenue beginning Monday, Aug. 14.
In 2022, Transportation Services contracted transportation consultant Whitman, Requardt and Associates (WRA) to conduct a study of campus transit service, to include Loop and Link service contracted to CATA and Campus Shuttle service operated by Transportation Services. WRA met with staff from both agencies, conducted a campus-wide rider survey, and evaluated ridership data, route configurations, and service and contracting alternatives. The upcoming service changes are in direct response to recommendations from this study designed to maximize service efficiency and cost effectiveness while accommodating changing ridership demand.
All service changes will take effect Monday, Aug. 14.
Campus shuttle via Beaver Avenue service changes
- Stops at the Data Center, Redifer Commons, and Nittany Apartments will be eliminated, but new stops will be added at the following locations:
- West Deck
- West 1 Building (eastbound — will open after building construction has been completed)
- Innovation Hub
- Reber Building
- Hosler Building
- West Halls
- Pattee Transit Center (eastbound)
- Forum
- Pavilion Theatre
- Mount Nittany Medical Center
- Centre Medical Sciences Building
- Innovation Park at Lubert Building
- Innovation Park at Penn Stater
- Innovation Park at 331 Building
- Innovation Park at Materials Research
- Innovation Park at Outreach Building
- West 1 Building (westbound)
- The updated route will run from the West Deck to Innovation Park.
- Service hours will be extended to 8 p.m., with the updated route operating from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Stops will be served every 20 minutes until 6 p.m., after which service will be every 40 minutes.
- The service schedule will expand from the fall and spring semesters only to year-round, except for University holidays.
Campus Shuttle via Beaver Avenue interactive map
Red Link service changes
- Stops at the Athletic Administration Building, Orchard Road, Mount Nittany Medical Center, Centre Medical Sciences Building, and Innovation Park will be eliminated.
- The updated route will run from the West Deck to the Jordan East parking lot.
- Weekday service will end at 11 p.m., and weekend service will end at 10 p.m. The updated route will operate from 6:45 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday, through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays.
- There will be no service when CATA operates on its Reduced Service schedule, which will reduce service to the fall and spring semesters only.
Lyft Program
Due to low ridership, service to Mount Nittany Medical Center, Centre Medical Sciences Building, and Innovation Park on weekdays after 8 p.m. and throughout the day on Saturdays and Sundays will be eliminated. However, Transportation Services will launch a special program with Lyft to provide ride credits for travel between campus and these areas during those times for faculty, staff, and students. Full details on this program will be shared prior to the start of the fall semester.
Other Campus Transit information
There will be no changes to the Blue Loop, White Loop, or Campus Shuttle via College Avenue for the 2023-24 academic year.
All Loop, Link, and Campus Shuttle routes are free and available to everyone. Real-time bus and shuttle locations are available via the Penn State Go mobile app.
Visit the Transportation Services website for more information on campus transit and other Penn State transportation options.