West Virginia Univ. spending extra on buses this semester
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia University is spending nearly $4 million on extra buses for public transportation between campuses this semester after its Personal Rapid Transit system was shut down due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
Ted Svehlik, WVU’s associate vice president of auxiliary and business services, said up to 2,400 people each day ride the buses between WVU's Health Sciences, Evansdale and downtown Morgantown campuses. The buses are being provided by two local transit services, The Dominion Post reported.
WVU's in-person classes in Morgantown were halted earlier this month. Nearly all undergraduate courses were moved online temporarily after a recent uptick in virus cases.
WVU spokeswoman April Kaull said WVU is using Coach USA buses at a cost of about $3 million, while Mountain Line Transit Authority buses are expected to cost $875,000.
No decision has been made on the use of the PRT system for the semester that starts in January.