Need a ride? How MUber is changing the way Lakers travel
Three years ago, Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) introduced a Valentine’s Day gift that keeps on giving: a partnership with Uber to enhance on-demand transportation for students. Through the “MUber” program, MSG sponsors $5 off two rides per day with the popular rideshare company.
“The MUber program continues to be one of our most impactful initiatives,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Life Sarah Allen. “It provides students with a reliable and affordable transportation option, especially during high-traffic times like St. Patrick’s Day. We’re proud to offer a service that prioritizes both convenience and safety.”
Speaking of St. Patrick’s Day, MUber provided 183 rides to Mercyhurst students over the holiday weekend, March 14-17, said Director of Campus Involvement Steph Przepiora. “Besides the standard savings, we often work to create even more incentives,” she said. “For the recent holiday, we offered a special of $7 off per ride instead of the usual $5, and students definitely took advantage of that.”
In addition, Allen noted, timing is a huge incentive for students, who no longer need to plan in advance and wait for buses to arrive. Instead, they click on an app and their ride is there in minutes.
So, outside the holidays, where do students go when they secure MUber rides? What months are the most in demand? What times of day are the busiest? What kind of savings does MUber provide over standard bus transportation? MSG President Jay Tonks has it all documented using data from the fall semester that he assembled into a recent presentation for the university’s Board of Trustees.
Here are some of the findings:
Total Rides: 1,514. Since students often share MUber rides, Tonks said the number of students using the service continues to grow.
Peak Month: November. 431 rides. Reasons include Halloween Weekend, travel to airport and train station for breaks, holiday shopping, etc.
Peak Time: The highest percentage of rides are from 2 to 6 p.m. (23.9 percent).
Campus Travel: Students use the service to travel to campus (42 percent) and commuter students use the service to travel to local residences (25 percent).
Non-Campus Travel: Top destinations include downtown bars/restaurants (18.5 percent), Walmart (17.5 percent), off-campus jobs (17.1 percent), and Millcreek Mall (12 percent).
In terms of savings to MSG, which subsidizes student transportation, Tonks’ report showed a savings of $14,731 between bus charges of $22,290 for Fall 2023 and MUber charges of $7,559 for Fall 2024.
“The MUber program is more than just a convenience—it’s a game-changer for student transportation,” said Tonks. “With affordability, reliability, and safety at the forefront, it continues to make a real difference in how Lakers get around.”