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May 15, 1997

Van service, parking options expanded

The Department of Parking and Transportation has announced several changes in parking and shuttle bus/van service for the summer months.

Changes include improvements to commuter vans, new van service to the Monongahela Valley and Greyhound Bus Station, and an expanded parking program.

In order to make the University's van fleet more comfortable for riders, Parking and Transportation has begun installing pop-out windows to improve ventilation, and reclining, contoured seats with higher backs and armrests.

To improve safety and accessibility, running board extensions with non-skid tread are being added to the vehicles to make them easier to enter and exit.

For staff and faculty who live in the Monongahela Valley, and work from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Parking and Transportation has added van service to Donora and Rostraver Township.

Regular van stops are at 6:47 a.m. at the Donora/Webster Bridge on Meldon Avenue in Donora, and at 7 a.m. at the United Mine Workers office on Route 51 in Rostraver.

If a rider requests it, the van also will stop at Elizabeth, Large and Century III Mall. It will arrive in Oakland at about 7:40 a.m.

Other vanpool openings are available on the following routes, according to Parking and Transportation:

* Work hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Allison Park/Wildwood, New Kensington/Arnold, Belle Vernon/Monongahela Valley, Garden City/Penn Hills, Greensburg/Irwin, Lower Burrell/New Kensington, McKeesport, Monroeville/Murrysville, Penn Township/Irwin, and Wexford/Cranberry.

* Work hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Harrison City/Murrysville, Route 30/Irwin, and Vandergrift.

* Work hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sewickley/Route 65.

For more information or a free trial ride, call the Ridesharing Office at 624-0687.

Students, staff and faculty who travel by Greyhound bus can use Pitt's van call service on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to return to campus. The service runs only from the bus station to Pitt. Riders must have a valid Pitt ID. Rides are available by calling 624-1700.

For employees and students who drive their own vehicles to Pitt, the Parking office has developed several different summer parking options.

Daily parking is available at the PH Lot in Panther Hollow for $2 and at the OC Lot at Trees Hall for $3. In addition, $2 per day parking hang-tags can be purchased for the Biotech Center Lot, and $3 all-day validation stickers for the SO Garage at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial and OH Garage on O'Hara Street.

Scratch-off hang-tags and validation stickers can be purchased at the Parking office, 204 Brackenridge Hall. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. A valid Pitt ID is required.

Parking also is available at the Pittsburgh Filmmakers' lot on Melwood Avenue for $20 per month, at the Biotech Center for $30 per month, and in main campus lots for $60-$65 per month.

In other Parking and Transportation news:

* Pitt's Alternative Vehicle Technical Assistance Program, sponsored by the Department of Parking and Transportation and the School of Engineering, has been named a finalist for a Three Rivers Environmental Award.

The alternative vehicle program has helped the University to acquire natural gas vans for its van fleet, thus reducing both the number of vehicles and the amount of exhaust pollution in Oakland. Three Rivers Environmental Awards are given to businesses, institutions and groups that have successfully worked over the past year to improvement the environment and quality of life in western Pennsylvania.

* The University's shuttle bus fleet is now operating on its summer schedule and will continue to do so until Aug. 22. Schedules are available at the information desk in the William Pitt Union, the Parking office in Brackenridge Hall, and the Transportation office in Forbes Pavilion.

The schedule also is posted on the World Wide Web at http://www.pitt.edu/~parktrans.

* Bicycle lockers are available for rent at Forbes Quadrangle and the Litchfield Towers patio. For information, call the Ridesharing office at 624-0687.

* University Mailing Services has become part of Parking and Transportation. In line with that change, Packages Plus has moved to Litchfield Tower B, according to Parking and Transportation Director Bob Harkins.

–Mike Sajna


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