Funding to help West Virginia University renovate the Personal Rapid Transit, or PRT, system was announced Monday.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $6,400,000 to repair the PRT.
The funds will be used as part of the PRT Passenger Station and Guideway Modernization Project to bring all PRT stations and guideways into a state of good repair as required by Federal Transit Administration requirements.
Components to be refurbished include stairs, platform surfaces and guideway components.
According to WVU, the PRT transports around 15,000 riders per day and serves as the university’s primary mass transit system.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito said these improvements will help ensure the PRT can help students get across campus for years to come.
“Since I came to the Senate, I have heard from university leaders and students about the need to make improvements to the PRT,” Capito said. “I was proud to use my position on the Appropriations Committee to advocate for and secure this award to support the critical role that the PRT plays when it comes to transporting students across WVU’s campus.”