Public transportation proposed for students

A recent article in the Tribune Review revealed the proposal of Seton Hill University (SHU) teaming up with Westmoreland Transit Authority officials to have a shuttle bus available that would run throughout Greensburg. It would cater to SHU students specifically, but be open to the public as well.

This joint program will connect students to the city that surrounds the school as well as transport them to the University’s Performing Arts Center and other downtown areas. Having a form of public transportation available in the Greensburg area pushes to further improve the already growing city.

By Anne Williams

Staff Writer

A recent article in the Tribune Review revealed the proposal of Seton Hill University (SHU) teaming up with Westmoreland Transit Authority officials to have a shuttle bus available that would run throughout Greensburg. It would cater to SHU students specifically, but be open to the public as well.

This joint program will connect students to the city that surrounds the school as well as transport them to the University’s Performing Arts Center and other downtown areas. Having a form of public transportation available in the Greensburg area pushes to further improve the already growing city.

Westmoreland Transit Authority already has operating bus routes that include stops in Pittsburgh, local college stops, and the Westmoreland Mall. Since their service exists in Greensburg, it would make sense to include a system locally.

When asked how this would affect resident and non-resident of SHU, Dave Wilbanks, an off-campus resident at the Marriott Hotel said, “Commuter students may not get the most out of the shuttle because they already have cars, but I think it would greatly benefit resident students and the city of Greensburg.”

“It will be nice to have the option of getting off campus for a few hours when the bus comes, instead of having to ask around for a ride or waste gas going on small errands,” said Kaleigh Ruffner, a sophomore.

While gas prices are still an issue, the bus will have a cost for students. The price has not yet been determined but to get some sort of idea, students at Westmoreland County Community College will be getting a shuttle bus system and are planning to charge students $4.

“It’s a great alternative to driving myself around in my car, especially with fluctuating gas prices,” said Jackie Johns, a junior.

Their bus will take 10 round trips daily from the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. Those hours and cost may be an estimate of what’s to come for SHU, but nothing is certain yet.

As far as route options, according to Westmoreland Transit Authority officials, they will be conducting surveys of university students and faculty to see what they want.

The bus would do a continuous loop around Greensburg and it has already been requested that stops be made at Excela Health Hospital, the courthouse area, and local shops. Officials hope to have the service available by the summer of 2010.