In an effort to better serve the needs of its student body, Penn State Berks has entered into an agreement with Lyft, which allows the college to provide free, convenient (and carbon-neutral) rides for students. It’s called Penn State Berks Emergency Rides 2026, and it’s set up through Lyft’s pass program. The agreement was coordinated through Penn State’s Office of Transportation Services and it allows Penn State Berks to tailor the parameters to meet student needs.
At Penn State Berks, the Office of Student Affairs utilizes the program to cover the cost for students to travel to a hospital or urgent care facility and return to campus. Student Affairs also covers student rides to a pharmacy. Several offices within Student Affairs, including Health Services, Counseling and Residence Life, all have passes on hand to give to students as needed.
Brian Samble, director of student affairs, explained, “It is a great option for students who need to go to urgent care outside hours that our nurse practitioner is on campus or after hours when Health Services is closed. It is also a great way to provide transportation to a hospital or pharmacy and back to campus.”
The Office of Community Engagement uses the program to provide rides for students doing community service work off campus. According to Donna Chambers, coordinator of the Office of Community Engagement, “The OCE uses the Lyft program primarily to provide transportation to students for long-term community engagement projects such as the Migrant Education Tutoring Program, the Nittany Lions Read Program, and more recently the Penn State Educational Partnership Program, where Penn State students mentor Reading High School students. Students may also use the program for other community engagement projects such as working with Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank.”
For more information about Penn State Berks Emergency Rides 2026, contact Donna Chambers at 610-396-6332 or via email at DMC6004@psu.edu.
