University Times

Port Authority again will offer service to Pitt football games this season on eight special bus routes, beginning Aug. 31 when the Panthers host Ohio University in a 7 p.m. game at Heinz Field.

The Pitt suburban routes include:

* The 99B Century III Mall-Large Park and Ride, which will serve the Large Park and Ride Lot in Large and the Century III Mall Park and Ride Lot with one trip to the game departing approximately one hour and 55 minutes prior to kickoff;

* The 99K West Busway-Moon route, which will serve the Beers School Park and Ride Lot, Bell Avenue Park and Ride Lot, Crafton Park and Ride Lot and Sheraden Park and Ride Lot with one trip to the game departing approximately one hour and 30 minutes prior to kickoff;

* The 99N Ross Park and Ride route, which will serve the Ross Park and Ride Lot with one trip to the game departing approximately one hour and 20 minutes prior to kickoff;

* The 99P South Hills Village-Mt. Lebanon route, which will serve the South Hills Village Park and Ride Lot and include a stop at Ramada Inn South with one trip to the game departing approximately two hours prior to kickoff;

* The 99Q Warrendale Park and Ride route, which will serve the Warrendale Park and Ride Lot with one trip to the game departing approximately one hour and 30 minutes prior to kickoff;

* And the 99R Monroeville route, which will serve the Monroeville Mall Park and Ride Lot and all East Busway stops with one trip to the game departing approximately one hour and 50 minutes prior to kickoff.

All Pitt suburban routes will depart Heinz Field 20 minutes after the end of the game from the stop on North Shore Drive at Art Rooney Avenue.

Port Authority's two Heinz Field shuttles include the 98B Station Square and 98D Strip District. These shuttles will operate to Heinz Field beginning two hours prior to kickoff. The shuttles will begin operating from Heinz Field at the start of the fourth quarter until one hour after the completion of the game.

Routes 99D Ohio Valley, 98X Mellon Arena and 14S Beaver Avenue Park and Ride have been discontinued this season due to low ridership.

One-way adult fares for all Pitt suburban routes are $3.50 in Zone 1 and $4.50 in Zone 2.

One-way adult fares for the 98B Station Square and 98D Strip District are $1 until Sept. 1, at which time they will be $1.25 to correspond with the new Port Authority fare structure.

Children aged 6-11 and people with disabilities pay half fare on all Pitt routes, and children 5 and under ride free.

Valid annual, monthly or weekly passes are accepted as partial payment of fare on all Pitt suburban routes. Valid Pitt I.D.s, are honored for partial payment only on 98 series shuttles. Pass values are $1.75 for Zone 1 and $2.25 for Zone 2.

For additional information and scheduling, contact Port Authority Customer Service at 412/442-2000 or the TTY number, 412/231-7007, for the speech and hearing impaired.