Penn Transit announces new transit line, extended hours

Penn has added a new, expanded transit line and extended transportation hours to improve campus service.

As of Aug. 14, the changes include the new Penn Bus North line — a fixed-route program traveling west on Walnut Street from 33rd to 48th Street as well as north to Powelton Avenue — a revised bus schedule that accommodates times of the highest rider demand by beginning one hour earlier, and the adjustment of Penn’s Evening Shuttle service to 90 minutes later in the day.

According to the Penn Transit website, the Penn Bus North line is operating as a pilot program for the 2023-2024 academic year. By beginning the revised bus schedule an hour earlier, all bus routes will operate Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., as opposed to previously operating from 5 p.m. to midnight.

"These changes extend Penn Transit’s overall coverage area, expand service hours for University buses, and better accommodate the considerable increase in ridership that has occurred since announcing the PennTransit Mobile App," the Penn Transit website reads.

Penn Transit decided to make these changes after analyzing rider usage data and receiving feedback from community members, according to the Almanac.

Penn Transit has also recently launched its new app, PennTransit Mobile, which replaced the Penn Rides on Request app. PennTransit Mobile allows students to choose a bus route, determine transit hours, and plan out their commute. Requests for shuttles can also be made via the app, as well as live-tracking of bus locations.

Penn Transit is encouraging riders to provide feedback about the changes on the app. Students that The
Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with welcomed these changes to their transit experiences.

“I used to take Penn Transit all the time last year. Maybe I’ll try using it again now that it’s updated,” College sophomore Stefany Morales said.

These changes come alongside further adjustments from Penn’s Transportation and Parking department, including cheaper regional SEPTA passes for Penn staff and faculty.

“I’m excited for the new changes,” College sophomore Anthony Tukanowicz-Hasset said. “It’s nice that it’s free, too.” 

Other students echoed Tukanowicz-Hasset's sentiment, adding that they appreciated the simplicity of the bus routes.

“I used Penn rides a lot freshman and sophomore year,” College junior Ava Cima said. “Penn rides is just very easy.”

As a carryover from last year, select routes, such as the Penn FMC Shuttle, Penn-Drexel Bus, and Penn Accessible Transit — the University’s designated service for individuals with special disabilities — will remain running as they are.