The "E" ride is the primary form of public transportation within the city and county of Erie.

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It is free to all Penn State Behrend students by obtaining a "E" ride sticker at the RUB desk in Reed Union Building. Many individuals depend on its service to get around, with an annual ridership of 3.4 million in 2014 to 2015. However, Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority ridership has diminished to fewer than 3.1 million rides from 2015 to 2016. Various variables can account for the decline.

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According to EMTA Executive Director Mike Tann, he considers the decline to be from: gas prices, raises in bus fare, individuals having a flexible budget, weather, an 18 month dispute over their charter, and the reduction of free trolley services. These factors might play a role in the decline in ridership, but it does not explain the overall decline in experience felt by many.

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Erie native, Ally Johnson a senior Psychology major at Penn State Behrend, thinks there is room for improvement. Ally says, "Erie's public transportation system reflects everything that is wrong with the city itself. It is outdated, completely unpredictable, and severely underfunded. The E still uses paper maps in a digital world which makes it difficult to get around the city if you don't know the city. The bus tracker app they released years ago still does not work and the bus itself is never on time."

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Demetrius Green, a Digital Media, Arts and Technology major at Penn State Behrend, enjoys the E ride bus routes. He does state his concerns about times although. He says, "...however the wait times can be exhausting. Most routes run every hour. When I have an appointment at 10:30 on 18th and State, I have to catch the 9:17 bus which will get me there at 9:43 and have to wait 30 plus minutes."

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Many find the bus to be very unreliable and would like to see a positive change. Although, the Erie bus system has its faults, one can still have an adventure or complete an important task.

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Erie bus line offers free rides around campus from UGates, Junker, Burke, Reed, Hudson Lofts, to campus apartments, dorms and more. Students can also catch the Erie bus around the city for free at Reed Union. One can visit Millcreek Mall, Peach St, Downtown, Parade St, or any other bus route location. The Erie bus system is a necessary service that natives believe could benefit from an overall change.