The Duquesne Duke

Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Brad Morocco Duquesne University's Student Government Association will meet with the Port Authority of Allegheny COunty in April to discuss options for providing discounted bus passes to Duquesne students.

The Student Government Association is moving forward with an initiative it began last fall that would make discounted bus passes available to Duquesne University students.

SGA President James Regar said Duquesne wishes to pursue a partnership with Port Authority that would be similar to the University of Pittsburgh's agreement. But Duquesne's program would be more flexible.

"Students can choose whether they want to pay for a bus pass or not," Regar said of SGA's plan.

The price of the bus pass could be added to students' accounts, and students would be able to apply for grants and other aid to pay for the service, he said.

According to University of Pittsburgh's Web site, students can travel for free on any Port Authority buses, trolleys or inclines. The fee for this service, however, is incorporated into a student's bill.

Currently, SGA sponsors the Loop Bus for students, which offers lines to the South Side, Downtown and East End from 7 p.m. - 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Gerald Homme, a sophomore music composition major and commuter, said he would be very interested in seeing more public transportation available to students.

"I feel that it's necessary. Other colleges do it, and so should we," Homme said. "It would make it easier for students to get around. It's just something that makes sense."

Sophomore pharmacy major Jihe Suk said she would utilize more public transportation if Duquesne offered it.

"I'm using my friend's CMU pass now," Suk said. "I take the bus a lot, and I don't want to pay $2 every time I ride. So, I would support getting bus passes."

Denise Iuzzolino, assistant director of Auxiliary Services at Duquesne, said the first meeting with Port Authority was scheduled for early February but had to be cancelled because of inclement weather. A new meeting to begin talks about the partnership is scheduled for April.

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