Coming to Pitt as a new student can feel overwhelming, especially if you are new to living in a city. While moving to a new place may seem daunting, it is also a great opportunity to explore the exciting things Pittsburgh has to offer. Since many first year students do not have access to their cars, bussing around the city is a great alternative. The Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus system can take Pitt students anywhere they want in the city for free. Despite the belief that navigating public transportation is difficult, learning the Pittsburgh bus system is a lot easier than you may think.
As a Pitt student, you are automatically given free access to ride all PRT buses. There are two ways to access the buses as a Pitt student depending on the form of ID you have. If you have a physical Pitt ID, you simply tap it on the orange card reader located next to the driver. If you have a Mobile Panther ID, you will need to download the “PRT Ready2Ride” app to your phone. Once downloaded, you will need to create an account with your Pitt username. You will then get an email from PRT Authority to verify your account. Once you’re able to get into the app, tap the “Calendar Monthly Pass” button followed by the “Activate Ticket” button. The app will display a QR code which can be used on every bus’s mobile scanner, located at the bus’ entrance.
Now that you know how to get on the bus, it’s important to learn how to navigate.
The best way to find the scheduling and stops for each route is through the app Transit. This app functions like most mapping apps, allowing you to find the best route to any specified location. After typing your destination into the search bar, choose one of the possible routes listed. It will then start a trip showing which bus stop to go to and the estimated arrival time for the bus. Once you board the bus, Transit will display exactly how many stops until the destination and will even tell you when your stop is coming up. Digital signage throughout the bus will also feature the upcoming stops. When your stop is next, pull the yellow cord that runs along the windows and the bus’ signs should read “stop requested,” alerting the driver to let you off at the next stop.
It is completely normal to feel nervous about public transportation. The first few times you ride the bus, it’s a good idea to travel with roommates or friends so that everyone can get the hang of things and learn together. The more times you ride the bus, the better you will become at navigating.
There are many locations in the Pittsburgh area that are great destinations when taking the bus. The first main stop is Downtown, the urban center of Pittsburgh. Downtown is filled with activities like watching performances at the theaters in the Cultural District, getting great food at Market Square or visiting landmarks like the Point State Park fountain. Downtown is particularly fun to visit during the winter months during the annual holiday market, featuring an ice skating rink. To get to Downtown, the best routes are 61A, 61B, 61C and 71B, which all run regularly. Don’t worry if you miss your bus —- there is likely another one coming soon.
The next top destination to visit is the Strip District, a shopping district with several great markets and restaurants. By walking along Penn Avenue or Smallman Street within the Strip District, you’ll pass ethnic grocery markets, cafes with freshly ground coffee and local clothing stores with Pittsburgh merchandise. To get to the Strip District, the best route is 54, which will drop you off just a block away from the heart of the neighborhood.
Another nearby location to visit is Shadyside, a more upscale neighborhood with historic buildings. The center of Shadyside is located on Walnut Street, and it is home to many boutique-style shops including chains like Lululemon and Sephora and locally owned stores like Hey Betty and Kards Unlimited. Walnut Street also has a great selection of dining options offering authentic foods of varying cuisines. On the outer edge of Shadyside are two grocery store options — Aldi, located on Baum Boulevard, and Giant Eagle, located on Centre Avenue. The best way to get to Shadyside is by taking the 75, 71B or 71D. Depending on which part of Shadyside you’re visiting, you can also take the 71A and 71C.
One more fun place to visit in the surrounding area is the Waterfront, located in Homestead. The Waterfront is an outdoor shopping mall with over 70 shops and restaurants. It has several spots with great entertainment including a movie theater, an arcade and a painting studio. There are also many big-name stores, making this destination the perfect place for all your shopping needs. While this location is slightly further away than the other neighborhoods, it is a great place to spend the day with a group of friends. The best bus to get to the Waterfront is the 61C, which will take you two blocks away from the mall.
Beyond these highlighted spots, other great neighborhoods to visit with their own distinctive style and activities include Lawrenceville, which can be visited by taking the 93, Southside, accessible via multiple routes, and the North Shore, the home of the stadiums for the Steelers and the Pirates, which can be reached by taking a bus to Downtown and walking across one of the iconic Pittsburgh bridges.
There are so many places to explore within Pittsburgh. While Pitt’s campus has great spots to visit, there are so many destinations beyond the bounds of Oakland that are worth checking out. With just a simple trip on the bus, you can experience all that Pittsburgh has to offer.