The following is the second fact sheet prepared by the LWV Greater Pittsburgh Transportation Study Committee for use by members in a study of transportation in Allegheny county to be undertaken in the Fall of 1995. In the Pittsburgh Area 1. In Allegheny County,PAT, rather than the Public Utility Commission regulates shuttle buses, mainly documenting that the operator is reputable, safe and adequately insured. Transportation contractors, like Owens and Lenzer, run shuttles that are not open to the public, do not charge fares, and do not cover the same corridors as traditional mass transit. CMU also runs shuttle buses between the main campus and Oakland.
Various hospitals operate shuttles for their patients, staff and parking lot patrons.
A large number of private shuttles, operated by parking lots, hotels, restaurants, auto repair shops, apartment complexes and large corporations, are currently exempt from regulation or reporting requirements. Oakland is served by 16 more coordinated by Pitt. A third party leasing agent, VPSI, provides the vehicles, is not PUC controlled, and cannot be a transportation provider. The drivers come from companies, institutions, etc., and are free to use most vans on evenings and weekends over reasonable distances, as well as commuting free. There are no guidelines for forming groups, and it may be possible to join an existing van pool rather than starting a new one.