Point Park’s U-Pass system has grown in use by both residential and commuter students since it was implemented in the Fall 2023 semester.
U-Pass is a tuition-included service that waives the fee of public transport around Pittsburgh for Point Park students. It covers the fare of all Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) systems, including light rail lines, both inclines and buses.
Desmond McCoy, director of student services, said he estimates that roughly 1,800 students currently utilize the U-Pass system. McCoy added that this number was closer to 1,000 students at the end of the Spring 2024 semester.
“The U-Pass Program is still relatively new, with little feasibility data,” McCoy said. “However, we are working closely with Pittsburgh Regional Transit to collect and analyze data on student usage patterns, feedback and the impact on public transit to determine its full potential.”
In March, Bike Share Pittsburgh (DBA POGOH) announced phase three of its expansion plan. In the plan, POGOH said they hope to add 53 more bike stations across the greater Pittsburgh area.
One of these stations is set to be built next to Academic Hall on the corner of Third Avenue and Wood Street.
McCoy noted that there is no plan to implement POGOH bikes into the U-Pass program.
“Unfortunately, POGOH is not part of the Pittsburgh Regional Transit system,” McCoy said. “Bike Share Pittsburgh operates it. Based on last year’s Spring 2024 survey results, a low bike usage rate indicates a lack of high demand for this service.”
McCoy added that if demand for bike usage goes up, U-Pass could potentially include bikes in its coverage.
According to data collected on the U-Pass program and provided by McCoy, 52% of participants in the U-Pass program are commuters.
Tiffany Scales, a junior commuter, said the U-Pass system is helpful for her commute from Southside.
“It makes taking the bus free and I do that a lot,” Scales said.
She also added she would be open to POGOH bikes being included in the U-Pass program.
“I’d like it, I think it would be fun,” Scales said, “I wouldn’t take the bike to school per se but just get around the city.”
The aforementioned survey notes bikes only accounted for 0.6% of student transport. In contrast, PRT services accounted for 38.9% of transport collectively.
The new POGOH bike stations are not set to be built until sometime after 2024. The next closest station is on Forbes Avenue, in between Market Square and Delray Street.
