Transportation

A bus is seen waiting at a stop sign at an intersection on Locust street. The perspective is taken from a car waiting behind the bus. The bus has a wrapper advert with a large Penn emblem on the back, and below that it reads “University of Pennsylvania” and in a larger font: “www.upenn.edu/PennTransit”. The bus also advertises "Powered by BIODIESEL" which appears above the bus license plate.

Penn Transit champions sustainable transportation in and around our campus. A portfolio of programs and initiatives encourages staff, faculty, and students to commute sustainably and creates a more accessible campus.

Transportation

Penn’s focus is on reducing single-occupancy vehicles and transitioning to a more holistic approach to transportation, including on-demand subsidized transit, fixed bus routes, and increased cyclist resources. The University supports a diverse portfolio of programs to encourage faculty, staff, students, and visitors to reduce traffic and create a cleaner future.

The Association of Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) recognized Penn's transport sustainability success as a top performer in the 2021 Sustainable Campus Index, ranked 5th in transportation.

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On this Page:

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Our Progress

Electric vehicle vans in the Penn Transit Fleet save 53.04 metric tons of CO2 annually.

Indego bike share stations on Penn’s campus encourage shared resources and sustainable transportation.

7th place performer in the 2021 Sustainable Campus Index’s transportation category by AASHE.

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Programs

A bike share rack with several Indego bikes appear on a sidewalk near an iron gate

Cyclist Resources

Penn makes cycling to and from campus easy with many resources, like free bike registration to prevent theft, bike repair stations, a bike expenses reimbursement program, and ample bike parking. Penn’s bike map provides locations of all bike-related services on campus. There are also six Indego bike share stations on or near the University.

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A woman is seen riding a bicycle while crossing a street near a crosswalk. Behind her, a shop has a sign that reads Campus Copy Center.

Bicycle Commuter Expense Reimbursement Program

Penn’s Bicycle Commuter Expense Reimbursement Program pays the potential cost of bicycle transportation back to cycling commuters. The program reimburses qualified faculty and staff for any eligible out-of-pocket expenses, up to $240 annually.

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The picture is taken from the perspective of someone waiting at a stop light - at the corner ahead, a bus is seen turning onto the street. The bus has a wrapper advert covering the outside with red white and blue ribbon artwork, with a large Penn emblem and “University of Pennsylvania” decorating both the back and the side of the bus. On the back it also says “www.upenn.edu/PennTransit” and "Powered by BIODIESEL”

Penn Transit

Penn operates a fleet of buses and shuttles that provide transportation to, from, and around campus to members of the Penn Community. Through collaborations with SEPTA for the LUCY (Loop through University City) and a bus-sharing program with Drexel University, Penn’s transportation network carries an estimated 374,199 passengers annually.

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A van-like minibus is seen parked by the side of the street. It is covered with red white and blue ribbon artwork and has the Penn emblem on it. At the top of the bus there are green letters that read “100% Electric Power” and “ZERO EMISSIONS”.

Penn’s Commuting Program

Penn’s Commuting Programs offers discounts to students, faculty, and staff for using public transportation options such as Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), PATCO, and N.J. Transit. Penn also promotes carpooling and vanpooling programs, making commutes more social and eco-friendly.

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Top Three Reasons to Bike Penn

In this video, learn how, for benefits-eligible staff and faculty, commuting by bike to Penn can benefit your health, your wallet, and the environment.

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