Navigating Morgantown: The Ultimate Guide to the PRT and Alternative Transport

Let me introduce you to the PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) – Morgantown's automated pod system that looks like something straight out of a 1970s vision of the future. These driverless cars zip along elevated tracks connecting WVU's three campuses and downtown.

First built in 1975, this system is both a functional transit solution and a bizarre historical landmark. The pods themselves are nothing fancy – think basic seating and standing room only during peak hours – but they're surprisingly efficient once you get the hang of the system.

During my week exploring, I rode these pods daily and timed the routes. Downtown to Evansdale Campus? About 11 minutes, which beats walking those steep hills. The best part? It's free for students (your fees already pay for it) and just $0.50 per ride for visitors like me.

Pro tip: Download the PRT tracker app before your visit. I spent the first day constantly refreshing the WVU Transportation website until a sophomore showed me the app that gives real-time updates on whether the system is operational – because yes, it does break down occasionally.

After my first PRT ride went hilariously wrong (ended up at the Medical Center instead of Downtown – rookie mistake), I figured out some strategies that'll save you time and confusion.

First, understand the five stations: Walnut (Downtown), Beechurst (Downtown Campus), Engineering (Evansdale Campus), Towers (dorms), and Medical (Health Sciences). Each station has specific buttons for destinations – pay attention to the illuminated options because not all destinations are available from every station.

The system runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 10:15 PM, Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and is closed on Sundays. Plan accordingly or you'll be like me, stranded at the Engineering station on Sunday morning, desperately searching for the rideshare app on my phone.

During my visit, I noticed the PRT gets packed between classes. If you're claustrophobic or carrying bulky items, avoid the rush by traveling 15 minutes before or after class changes. And if you're hauling gear, consider a compact collapsible backpack that won't take up half the pod during crowded rides.

When the PRT isn't running or you need to venture beyond its limited route, Morgantown offers several solid alternatives that won't destroy your ramen budget.

The Mountain Line bus system covers most of Morgantown and surrounding areas. Students ride free with ID, and regular fare is just $1.25. I found route #30 particularly useful for reaching the Evansdale area when the PRT was down for maintenance. Download the transit tracking app to get real-time bus locations – saved me from unnecessary waiting during a sudden downpour.

For late nights or quick trips, rideshare services operate throughout Morgantown. Average rides within the main areas run $7-12, which isn't bad split between friends. I noticed wait times under 5 minutes downtown but up to 15 minutes in outlying areas.

If you're staying for a semester, consider bringing a bike – but be warned, these hills are no joke. After attempting to bike up the hill to Evansdale, I immediately understood why the PRT exists. For the brave souls who do bike, a good bike lock is essential as bike theft is unfortunately common around campus.

Let's be real – sometimes walking is your best bet in Morgantown, especially for exploring the Downtown Campus and High Street areas. As someone who regularly hikes coastal trails in California, I still found myself winded on some of these inclines. Morgantown doesn't mess around with its hills.

The Downtown Campus is reasonably walkable, with most buildings within a 10-15 minute stroll of each other. High Street offers plenty of food options, coffee shops, and stores within walking distance. I spent several mornings working from Blue Moose Cafe with just a short walk from my Airbnb.

For walking between Downtown and Evansdale Campuses, however, prepare for a serious workout. The roughly 1.5-mile journey includes significant elevation changes that had me questioning my fitness level. If you're regularly making this trek, invest in some serious walking shoes with good support.

During my fall visit, the campus walking paths were gorgeous with changing leaves, but also slippery after rain. A pair of traction cleats in your backpack wouldn't be overkill if you're visiting during icy conditions.

After a week of classes (or in my case, pretending to be a student while actually exploring), you might want to escape campus for some adventure. Without a car, this gets trickier, but it's definitely doable.

Cooper's Rock State Forest is about 13 miles from campus and worth visiting for incredible views and hiking trails. Since there's no direct public transit, your best options are organizing a carpool through WVU's rideshare board or splitting a rideshare. Four students sharing an Uber runs about $25-30 each way – not cheap, but manageable for an occasional escape.

For longer weekend trips, the Grey Line bus connects Morgantown to Pittsburgh (about $30 one-way), opening up big city adventures. I took the Friday afternoon bus and spent a day checking out Pittsburgh's craft beer scene before heading back Saturday evening.

If you're planning multiple out-of-town adventures during the semester, consider joining WVU's Outdoor Recreation Center. They offer affordable gear rentals and organized trips that solve the transportation problem. During my visit, they were advertising a whitewater rafting trip that included transportation for just $75 – an absolute steal compared to commercial outfitters.