Local college students receiving free ride
Students of two leading Mon Valley educational institutes are receiving free rides while attending school, thanks to the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority (MMVTA). Actually, students of California University of Pennsylvania and the Douglas Education Center in Monessen are receiving free transit rides on all MMVTA routes while enrolled at their respective schools.
The free transit service, which began when Cal U and MMVTA reached an agreement that gives the university’s students unlimited use on the routes, became beneficial to the university as a recruitment tool. The program between the university and MMVTA was such a huge success that Douglas Education Center contacted MMVTA to set up a similar arrangement.
According MMVTA officials, the authority thought the transit program would be beneficial to Cal U and approached university officials because of the proven success of similar programs at the University of Pittsburgh and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Terry Wigle, assistant dean of student services at Cal U, said that once university President Dr. Angelo Armenti Jr. heard of the proposed transit program, he thought it would be important to student life, and he thoroughly reviewed the proposal.
“Dr. Armenti feels that student services are the key to university life,” said Wigle. “Our students have a roadside assistance program through Triple A, but many don’t have cars. Dr. Armenti felt those students who don’t have access to a car should have a similar service. Student services are a priority, and that’s why he supports programs such as the transportation service.”
Students seem to agree that the free bus service is a plus.
“Having the bus service makes it easier for us (students) to get around,” said sophomore Greg Houston. “It especially saves on gas and the crowded parking situation on campus. But, what’s really beneficial is it allows us to save money on trips into Pittsburgh for different activities.”
MMVTA’s Silver Line (California) Shuttle serves the university’s off-campus housing apartments, Jefferson at California, located along Route 88 next to the university’s Roadman Park and stadium, accommodating student schedules from early morning through evening. The Silver Line makes runs roughly every 15 minutes from the apartments to the main campus, while also serving local residents and the Center in the Woods.
Aaron Jones, a senior at the university, said having the bus service at the students’ disposal is a great benefit for the university.
“It’s a great tool for marketing the university to prospective students,” Jones said. “Students can get to and from classes or to no matter where they live. They can go shopping or into Pittsburgh on the weekends.”
Kevin Fear, marketing director for the Douglas Education Center, has the same sentiments about the bus service.
“The partnership between MMVTA and Douglas is very crucial in the expansion of our school’s enrollment,” he said. “With students enrolled from all over the country, many do not have cars and in the past were stuck staying in their dorm rooms. With many Mon Valley communities being depressed steel and mining towns, it’s hard to offer activities. The service provided to the students by MMVTA allows them to go out and enjoy other activities.”
John Meadows, originally from Ohio, and a fourth semester student at Douglas Education Center, resides in Monessen while attending school. He says he uses the free bus service to travel to the site of his internship.
“The bus is truly a life saver,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to get around without it. I used to have to car-pool to get to my internship. The service MMVTA offers us is dependable, safe and I enjoy the ride.”
Besides offering students of both institutes the opportunity to attend activities in Pittsburgh, MMVTA’s Route A (Pittsburgh) Shuttle, following the Route 88 corridor onto Route 51, travels to the Greyhound and Amtrak stations, which allows students to go home for the holidays or to commute to and from the university.
Both institutes help the authority financially for providing increased and improved transportation to their students.
Students must present their valid student identification card to the bus drivers while boarding the bus. A valid student identification card will have MMVTA’s imprinted logo on either the front or back of the card, depending on the institute’s identification format, which makes it impossible for former students of each institute to attempt to receive a free ride as well.
MMVTA offers services to 21 communities along the Route 88 corridor, with service into downtown Pittsburgh every day, free bus rides for senior citizens 65 or older, as well as demand-responsive paratransit services in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
On the Web: MMVTA Web site – www.mmvta.com.