'LUCY' shuttle makes debut in U. City

The seven LUCY buses run two routes, connecting 30th Street Station with area institutions. It was inspired by the light-hearted spirit of Lucille Ball, the stature of Lucy the Margate Elephant and the spunk of Lucy Van Pelt. But creators would like to see their "Lucy" do more than just achieve stardom. Indeed, they envision a reliable and convenient way for people to get around University City. LUCY, a new transportation system in University City that connects Penn and other area institutions with 30th Street Station by shuttle bus, began service Monday. Free to students, faculty and employees of Penn and other participating institutions, LUCY -- short for the Loop Thru University City -- is operated by SEPTA under a contract from the University City District. At an inaugural ceremony held at 30th Street Station last week, SEPTA and UCD officials unveiled the buses and spoke about the benefits University City will reap from the unique new service. Officials hope that the service, in addition to providing an affordable transportation system for University City students, employees, residents and visitors, will also encourage more commuters to utilize public transportation. "LUCY will help alleviate University City's parking shortage by converting more employees to public transportation," UCD Executive Director Paul Steinke said. LUCY serves several area institutions including Penn, Drexel University, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Presbyterian Medical Center and the VA Medical Center. The seven LUCY buses each seat about 20 people and run from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except during major holidays. Those affiliated with participating institutions need only show valid I.D. to ride the system, while the general public pays a fare of 50 cents per person. The system will also accept SEPTA tokens and passes as fare. Two routes -- the Green Loop and the Gold Loop -- run opposite to each other, connecting 30th Street Station with stops at participating institutions. The system will service Penn students, faculty and staff through stops along 33rd Street, 34th Street and 38th Street. Six buses will run during rush hour, with one bus leaving 30th Street station every 10 minutes, while four buses will run during off-peak hours, beginning a route every 15 to 20 minutes. The seventh LUCY bus will be kept as a spare. University President Judith Rodin, who also spoke at last week's event, said she expects the service to draw more visitors to University City. "LUCY will enable Penn and University City to be more accessible to the rest of Philadelphia," Rodin said, describing University City as "one of Philadelphia's most exciting neighborhoods." West Philadelphia City Council representative Jannie Blackwell echoed Rodin's sentiment. "It is absolutely wonderful for SEPTA to enable us to have a special program like this," Blackwell said. Various institutional and public subsidies as well as farebox revenue will help fund the system, which will have an operating budget of about $500,000 a year, plus marketing expenses. A one-time federal transportation grant of $340,000 funded the purchase of the seven buses. In addition to fabric-covered cushioned seats, the buses are wheelchair accessible. University and community officials expect the service to promote University City as a unique and exciting neighborhood. "It's a significant enhancement to the quality of life here in University City," said PA State Representative Jim Roebuck.

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