We try to make Penn Transit's services easy to use, but you're sure to have some questions. Here are some of the most common questions and answers about our services. But don't worry: if you're still confused, give us a call at 215-898-RIDE.

Why won't you drive me on-campus? What are the options for on-campus travel?

Penn Transit cannot drive passengers from one on-campus location to another. Our drivers are unable to make any exceptions. Penn's 24/7 Walking Escort Service provides uniformed security officers from the Division of Public Safety who will be happy to walk with you. To request a walking escort: Ask any Public Safety Officer on patrol or inside a building Call 215-898-WALK (9255) or 511 (from any campus phone) Use one of the many building and blue-light phones located on and off Penn's Campus.

I just tried to flag down a Penn Shuttle van from the side of the street. I was waving a lot and I know the driver saw me. Why didn't the van stop for me?

It's nothing personal! For safety reasons, Penn Transit vehicles don't operate like taxis. Our drivers are instructed to only stop for passengers at Transit Stops, Pickup Points, or when directed by their dispatcher. If you need a ride from on-campus, go to the nearest Transit Stop or Pickup Point and board a vehicle from there. From off-campus, you can board the Penn Bus at any intersection with a stop sign or traffic signal along its two routes. To get a ride with Penn Shuttle from off-campus, give us a call at 215-898-RIDE when you're ready to go.

Okay, so I was waiting at a Transit Stop and the Penn Shuttle van still drove past me! Why?

We operate as many as 20 different vehicles on an average evening. Our drivers all have something different to do -- they're probably on their way to pick up someone else. However, if you've called 215-898-RIDE to request a North Shuttle and you've waited longer than 20 minutes, call us again and we'll solve the problem. Likewise, if a scheduled Penn Bus or Penn Shuttle route doesn't show up, let us know at 215-898-RIDE.

I just moved into a new apartment at 18th and Spruce. Why won't the East Shuttle take me to my building?

Congratulations -- that's a nice neighborhood! Unfortunately, we do not provide service in Center City east of 20th Street. Our drivers are unable to make any exceptions. If you'd like to suggest changes to Penn Transit's service area, please leave a message at 215-898-IDEA or online at Idea Web.

How long will I have to wait for a Shuttle after calling 215-898-RIDE?

Your Penn Shuttle should arrive 5 to 20 minutes after your call. Sometimes bad traffic, inclement weather, University events, or other circumstances out of our control can slow us down. So, be patient. But if you've been waiting for more than 20 minutes, call 215-898-RIDE and we'll solve the problem.

It's raining! Why do I have to wait so long?

Rainy evenings are busiest for Penn Transit -- traffic worsens and our passenger load increases. Be patient; we're trying our best to pick you up on schedule. You can wait inside a Transit Stop on-campus or in your residence off-campus. Otherwise, check for your van from beneath an umbrella.

I live on the 3900 block of Pine St. Why can't I get a ride home?

With the expansion of VHUP, we've changed our definition of "on-campus" to include the 3900 blocks of Pine and Baltimore. While we cannot drive passengers on campus, uniformed security officers from Penn's Division of Public Safety will walk you home as a part of their Walking Escort program. You can call 215-898-WALK for a Walking Escort.

Can't I just schedule a ride?

Unfortunately, our dispatchers can't schedule pickups from either on- or off-campus. However, we'll be happy to pick you up whenever you're ready to go -- just give us a call at 215-898-RIDE.

When I called 215-898-RIDE, the dispatcher told me that my van is "on the way." What does that mean? Why can't she tell me exactly when it will be arrive?

It means that a driver has been told, via radio, to go and pick you up. We have a really neat GPS system in our operations center. It allows our dispatchers to look at a screen and verify that your van is, indeed, "on the way" to you. Trust us! However, since traffic and weather conditions vary, we can't give you a precise time of arrival. So, just be patient -- your ride with Penn Transit will arrive as soon as safe driving permits.

What do those little lights on the top of Penn Shuttle vans mean?

The lights ("X", "W", "E", and "N") show the Shuttle's current route. This is so passengers waiting at Transit Stops and Pickup Points know where the Shuttle is going. Yeah, you're still confused, and that's okay. Read a complete explanation -- with photos! -- on our Penn Shuttle page.

I'm in Powelton Village and I want to get a ride to my apartment west of campus. Why do I have to transfer to another vehicle on campus?

Penn Transit is designed to use campus as a hub for our services. For example, if you're north of campus in Powelton Village and you want to go West, call 215-898-RIDE. A North Shuttle van will pick you up at your building and take you to a campus Transit Stop or Pickup Point. From there, wait for a scheduled Penn Bus West or West Shuttle -- it's their job to take you west of campus! When you call, our dispatchers will make sure you're dropped off at the best Transit Stop or Pickup Point to transfer to a vehicle heading West. It works the same way from Center City to West Philadelphia, or from West Philadelphia to Center City.

But what about traveling from West of campus to Powelton Village in the North?

You're in luck! Since our North Shuttle vans are always on call, you can make the journey from West Philadelphia to Powelton Village without transferring.

The driver wouldn't let me take my grocery shopping bags into the Penn Shuttle! I only had five plastic bags and they didn't take up THAT much space on the floor.

Each passenger may take up to two grocery shopping bags with them on the vans, and these bags must fit onto the passenger's lap if necessary. Space is limited inside our vans, and we want to make sure everyone who wants to get a ride with Penn Transit is able to. Our drivers may not permit you to board our vans if you have more than two shopping bags, or any other items that cannot fit on your lap. But don't worry -- you can take whatever you can carry onto Penn Bus West, which also stops outside of the Fresh Grocer.

Can you make the Shuttle wait for me while I drop something off at my friend's house? It'll only take me a minute, really!

Things can get pretty busy at Penn Transit, and unfortunately we don't have time to make round-trip journeys. So, call 215-898-RIDE when you arrive and visit with your friend for 5 to 20 minutes. We'll be happy to take you back, but we can't do it immediately.

I would like to make a suggestion or complaint about Penn Transit. How can I make sure it's addressed?

Your best option is to call 215-898-RIDE and ask to speak to the Penn Transit supervisor on duty. The more information you can share with us, the better we can help you. The time and vehicle number (E-## or T-##) are most important. You can also call Business Services' Idea Line at 215-898-IDEA. Leave a message with as much information as you can -- the time and vehicle number (E-## or T-##) are most important. Use Idea Web to submit your suggestion or complaint via the internet.

More questions? Call us at 215-898-RIDE.