University Times

Pitt's transportation head is leaving to take a similar job at the University of Texas at Austin. G. Robert Harkins, director of the Office of Parking, Transportation and Services since 1993, will leave the University Sept. 4.

"I've enjoyed my time here tremendously," Harkins said. "But this opportunity came up and we decided to seize it."

Harkins cited the agreement between Pitt and the Port Authority that allows free bus rides in Allegheny County for Pitt ID-holders as his most important accomplishment at Pitt. "I think our transportation system is dog-garn good and our bus system rivals any in the country," he said.

Harkins said Pitt has made positive strides in the ride-share, carpool and campus shuttle programs developed or improved on his watch. "We've taken at least 400 cars out of Oakland on a daily basis and we run 20 natural gas vehicles and that takes a lot of the pollutants out of our air." He also cited the improvements in lighting around the Pittsburgh campus. "People don't see the connection. But I see it as all one thing: students and the whole Pitt community feel safer, they're out more, they travel more, they use our services."

Programs developed under Harkins include the 17U "culture bus," which provides Sunday transportation to downtown cultural spots; weekend shuttles to suburban malls, and the van call service for late hours transportation.

"But what I think I'm most proud of is that we've prepared a staff that's built on customer service," Harkins said. "That's true whether I'm here or not. There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes — the mail, express mail, event planning, the motor pool, scheduling — and I'm very proud of our staff and how they handle themselves."

Harkins came to Pitt after retiring from the military. In 1998, he earned a doctorate in higher education administration from Pitt. He served on many committees and chaired the United Way campaign.

–Peter Hart