Welcome to West Virginia University, Mountaineers!
Learning how to navigate Morgantown is an important part of your first few months on campus. Many areas of our campus are easily walkable, and transportation options like the PRT and Mountain Line buses are available when you might need an extra lift. Learn more about all things transportation and parking below.
PRT
The PRT – our Personal Rapid Transit system – is an automated people mover that connects the three areas of our Morgantown campus and the surrounding Morgantown community.
This unique form of transportation utilizes electrically powered vehicles that travel on a guideway between five stations – Walnut, Beechurst, Engineering, Towers and Health Sciences Center. A central control team operates and monitors the PRT through cameras and a Computer-Based Train Control (CBTC) system to ensure everything is functioning properly.
PRT Stations
Our five stations are placed throughout campus to get you where you need to go. You’ll become familiar with the PRT and its stops in due time. But, in the meantime, these lists will help you navigate campus.
Walnut Station
The Walnut station is located in the heart of downtown Morgantown. This station is located near:
- Businesses, restaurants and housing on or near High St.
- South Park area of Morgantown
Beechurst Station
The Beechurst station can be found behind Armstrong Hall and next to Brooks and Hodges Halls. It is also adjacent to the future site of Reynolds Hall, which is under construction. This station is your stop for all things on the Downtown area of campus, including:
- Downtown residence halls – Seneca, Summit, Honors, Dadisman, Stalnaker and Boreman Halls
- Life Sciences Building
- Chambers College of Business and Economics
- Brooks Hall
- Woodburn Hall
- Martin Hall
- Chitwood Hall
- Armstrong Hall
- E. Moore Hall
- Hodges Hall
- Colson Hall
- Eisland Hall
- Oglebay Hall
- Ming Hsieh Hall
- Mountainlair
- Stewart Hall
- Clark Hall
- Downtown library
- White Hall
Engineering Station
Moving to the Evansdale area of campus, the first of two stops is located at the Engineering station. This station is conveniently connected to Evansdale Crossing and is a short walk away from many areas of Evansdale, including:
- Student Recreation Center
- Mineral Resources Building
- Engineering Sciences Building
- Engineering Research Building
- Evansdale Library
- South Agricultural Sciences Building
- Agricultural Sciences Building
Towers Station
Past the Engineering station, the Towers station provides easy access to – you guessed it – the Towers residence halls. It’s also located near these Evansdale buildings:
- Evansdale residence halls – Bennett, Lyon, Braxton and Brooke Towers and Lincoln and Oakland Halls
- Student Recreation Center
- Health and Education Building
- Agricultural Sciences Building
- Allen Hall
- Percival Hall
- Crime Scene Complex houses
Health Sciences Center Station
Lastly, the Health Sciences Center (HSC) station serves our Health Sciences Center and J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. Other nearby locations include:
- Milan Puskar Stadium
- Mountaineer Station
- University Police Department
- College of Law
PRT Downtime
There may be small periods of time where PRT service is interrupted. This downtime can be caused by a variety of reasons, some of which are related to improper use of the PRT by passengers. Downtime can also occur within isolated portions of the track (i.e., Walnut to Beechurst or Engineering to Health Sciences). For areas outside of those portions, PRT vehicles may continue to run during these interruptions.
When the PRT goes down, there’s no need to be alarmed or concerned. Instead, remain calm. Our control center team is working behind the scenes to get the PRT back up and running again.
If you’re standing on a platform waiting for a vehicle, remain on the platform at all times. If you’re in a vehicle when the PRT goes down, remain inside the vehicle at all times and wait patiently as PRT employees work to solve the problem. Typically, the PRT will return to normal service in 15 minutes or less.
For longer wait times, bus shuttles may be deployed to areas around each station to provide an alternate mode of transportation until the PRT is up and running again.
PRT Safety
Beginning April 20, 2022, passengers are no longer required to wear masks while riding the PRT or buses. While the University’s PRT and buses are now mask optional, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19. Anyone who needs or chooses to wear one is encouraged to do so.
It is imperative that passengers stay off the track. The track is electrically powered and can shock or harm you if you step onto it. If you accidentally drop something on the track, designated safety personnel can retrieve the item for you. Notify personnel by using one of the phones located on each platform.
While riding the PRT, vehicle windows and doors should remain closed at all times. Do not attempt to open the windows and doors unless instructed to do so by PRT control center staff. Lastly, do not attempt to hold the doors of PRT vehicles open. This can and will cause downtime, delaying your trip as well as the commute of other passengers.
See more PRT guidelines.
Riding the PRT
Riding the PRT is free for students and employees with a valid WVU ID. Just swipe your card at the platform, select your destination and ride free. Other passengers can pay just $0.50 per ride to use the PRT.
PRT Hours of Operation
- Monday-Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
Hours of operation may be adjusted for University holidays, breaks or special events.
Buses
Mountain Line
The Mountain Line Transit Authority is a public transportation provider in the Morgantown area, offering bus routes around campus and across town. All WVU students and employees ride these buses for free with a valid WVU ID. Mountain Line buses will operate throughout the summer as well as the fall and spring semesters.
Parking
Parking on and near campus is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are several parking options, including permit parking, short-term parking and meter parking.
Permit Parking
Permit parking is available to students and employees who have purchased a permit for that lot. Permit holders are only permitted to park in the lot for which they purchased a permit, unless otherwise designated.
Permit lots are designated with an “Area” designation followed by the lot number. Those who choose to park in a permit lot without a permit may be ticketed or towed.
If you are interested in purchasing a parking permit for the upcoming year, purchase one through the Parking Portal or visit our Parking Management Office in Mountaineer Station. Permits are valid for one year, from August 1 to July 31 of the following year.
Please note that incoming students are only eligible to purchase a permit after
they have registered for classes.
Short-term Parking
Short-term parking is available in several lots and parking garages around campus. All students, employees and community members may park in these lots for a small hourly rate as spaces are available.
Short-term lots are designated with an “ST” designated followed by the lot number. Those who choose to park in a short-term lot without paying or who exceed their paid parking time may be ticketed or towed.
Hybrid and Remote Employee Parking Program
WVU deployed a parking program for hybrid and remote employees that includes a daily parking pass/rate versus an annual pass/monthly rate. Hybrid or remote employees may choose to cancel their annual parking permit and use one-day parking permits, as needed.
Flexible Parking for Permit Holders
Employees with parking permits on the Downtown, Evansdale and HSC campuses can temporarily park in other designated parking areas on campus.
ParkMobile
In addition to our pay stations located in each short-term lot, we’ve partnered with ParkMobile to provide easier access to pay. Just download the app, which is available in the App Store and Google Play, and upload your vehicle information to pay for parking from your phone. Select the lot you parked in and enter your space number – it’s that easy. You can even pay for additional parking time right from your phone.
Meter Parking
Parking meters are available in numerous spots around campus and in the Morgantown area. These meters are owned and operated by the Morgantown Parking Authority.
Pedestrian and Driver Safety
Thousands of students, employees and community members travel through campus each day – on foot and behind the wheel. We ask that all pedestrians and drivers do their part to stay alert and watch out for fellow Mountaineers.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
- Cross at marked crosswalks and intersections, and obey the signals.
- Be alert for moving vehicles and bicycles.
- Stay to the right and avoid walking in bike lanes.
- When there are no sidewalks, jog or walk facing traffic.
- Make eye contact with oncoming drivers and show your intention to cross.
- Don’t forget to look up from your phone.
- When walking at night, wear bright colors and stay in well-lit areas.
- Don’t step into traffic from behind an obstruction.
- Turn down the volume of your phone.
- Head up, phone down: hang up while walking.
- Don’t wear headphones or talk on the phone while crossing a street.
- Don’t walk and text.
- Never rely on a car to stop; expect it won’t.
Driver Safety Tips
- Stay alert for pedestrians.
- Slow down during bad weather.
- Be extra cautious at night – pedestrians can be hard to see.
- Always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
- Do not pass vehicles stopped in a cross walk.
- Never drive under the influence.
- Obey all traffic lights and signals. Running a red light is never worth the risk.
- Reduce your speed for yellow traffic lights.
- Never text and drive.
- Don’t wear earbuds while driving.
Stay Connected
To get the latest news and updates, including daily updates on the status of the PRT, follow @WVUPRTstatus and @WVUparking on Twitter. You can also follow WVU Transportation and Parking on Facebook.