On Fuel Conservation: Making Commuting Easier and More Efficient

Penn’s Division of Business Services is mindful that commuting faculty, staff and students have been impacted by the recent rise in fuel costs. We would like to make the Penn community aware of the programs and services we provide to make commuting easier and more efficient.     

Penn Transit Options

Penn Transit offers a variety of alternatives to driving to campus.

Residents of Center City and West Philadelphia may opt to take the PennBus, or the Penn Shuttle, which are free services for members of the Penn Community with a valid PennCard.  The PennBus East and PennBus West operate from approximately 5 p.m. to midnight (depending on your stop) and travel along fixed routes.  Penn Shuttles offer door-to-door service between Penn’s campus and University City, Center City and Powelton Village, within defined boundaries.  Shuttles run between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m., seven days a week, and are also on-call between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., seven days a week.  For more details on Penn Transit Services, including schedules, maps and a list of transit stops, visit www.upenn.edu/transportation.

Van Pool

Penn Transit coordinates a van-pool program for faculty and staff living in and around Philadelphia, in conjunction with HUP, CHOP, Drexel and the Science Center.  Participants pay between $60 and $90 per month, depending on their location. For optimum economy, vans should transport the maximum capacity of 15 passengers.

Daily and part-time rates may also be available.  To participate, call Penn Transit at (215) 898-2484 or visit www.upenn.edu/transportation.

Car Pool Matching Service

Penn Transit is pleased to help facilitate car pools for faculty and staff. Penn Transit has subscribed to a ride share service called AlterNet Rides, which Penn employees can access at no cost.  Use this service to connect with individuals in your area interested in car-pooling. To access, visit www.upenn.edu/transportation and click on “Partnership Services.”

Public Transportation Options

Penn partners with SEPTA to offer members of the University Community discounted rides on public transportation. 

Transit Passes

Faculty, staff and students  receive a 10% discount on monthly passes for SEPTA’s suburban rail system or city transit system.  (Rail passes are also good for travel in and around Philadelphia on SEPTA’s buses, trolleys and subways).  Passes are purchased through payroll deduction; the amount (which varies based on rail zone) is deducted pre-tax.  To sign up, call the Parking office at (215) 898-8667 for an authorization form.  As staff must pre-pay for these passes, please allow five weeks for processing before you can receive your first pass. 

LUCY

Members of the Penn Community are entitled to free rides on LUCY (Loop Through University City) which runs between 30th Street Station and various points in University City on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.  Riders must show a valid PennCard.

For stops and schedules, visit www.ucityphila.org/getting_around/lucy.cfm.

—Division of Business Services