Pittsburgh Amtrak station (Penn: apartment, violent crime, dorms)

[mep4]

I will be a freshman at Pitt in the fall, and I plan to use Amtrak's Pennsylvanian train to get back and forth between Pittsburgh and my hometown. The Pennsylvanian, however, doesn't get into Pittsburgh until after 8 (assuming it's on time, which isn't always a safe assumption), which will be after dark for most of the school year. Google Maps shows about a 10-15 minute walk from the station to my bus stop at 5th and Ross streets.

Would it be generally safe for me to walk through the downtown from the station after dark?

[pman]

yes. the pennsylvanian is also relatively reliable and the delays it does have are manageable (aka 20-30 min versus the hours long delays you hear about on some lines). sometimes it even gets in early.

[squarian]

Originally Posted by mep4

Would it be generally safe for me to walk through the downtown from the station after dark?

Generally, yes. Depends on your tolerance and street-savvy, of course - but you'll be walking down Grant St, which is a well-lighted broad avenue lined with office blocks and towers, with a fair number of businesses at street level, so unless you're extremely naive or unlucky, you shouldn't have any problems. Usual urban walking drill: dress middle class, walk purposefully, don't stop to chat, keep your wits about you. In fact, violent crime directed at the middle class is very rare downtown.

[BrianTH]

I'd have no concerns doing it.

[toosie]

I'm assuming that you're a woman. If you aren't from a city, or have much experience being out in a city on your own, I can imagine that walk alone after dark could feel riskier than it actually is. Downtown is pretty barren after dark - especially around there.That's why you might feel unsettled at first.

[I_Like_Spam]

As a freshman, I assume you're going to be in the dorms.

You only have to walk to 5th and Ross for the 71 or 61 bus if you're in the lower campus, the towers or Schenley Quad. If you're dorm is on the upper campus at Sutherland Hall or other dorm buildings they have near the VA, you only need to walk to Grant and 7th for the 82 or 83 to take you up top. A considerable difference, considering you're going to be hauling luggage.

Better yet, just try to share a cab, the total fare isn't more than $12 for the short trip, if you meet other Pitt students coming back on the train.

[nuwaver88]

There are jitneys at that station. Ignore them and walk to the bus stop. Not saying they are all bad. Just saying that they are not all good.

[PreservationPioneer]

You will be safe.

[Burghgirl17]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

There are jitneys at that station. Ignore them and walk to the bus stop. Not saying they are all bad. Just saying that they are not all good.

This! I took one from there once. He was laughing and socializing with a cop and said hey, you need a taxi. I figured that the cop would've said something. Get to his car, it's a (nice) jitney. Death defying ride to Shadyside, then he wants to charge me like $17 or something. I told him he was crazy, that a taxi doesn't cost near that. He starts giving me a hard time, I was terrified. My bag was in his trunk. Finally I told him, look, I only have $15 on me. Gave it to him, grabbed my bag, and ran into the apartment.

Lesson learned!

[ForYourLungsOnly]

Just take a 10 minute bus ride from 5th Ave . Especially since its free for Pitt students.