The experimental Fraternity Loop was warmly greeted with last weekend's cold weather.

But with an overall low number of passengers, the Loop's economic feasibility is in jeopardy.

The Fraternity Loop made its last appearance over the weekend, ending its three-weekend trial period.

A ride cost 60 cents, and from midnight to 3 a.m. Saturday and Sunday mornings, it took students from the fraternities to campus.

Ridership was dismal during the first two weekends as the Fraternity Loop took in only $90 in fares, said Steve Boyd, Undergraduate Student Government fraternity senator.

Even with its financial problems, the Fraternity Loop has its positive points, Boyd said. The Loop reduces the chances of sexual assault, vandalism, student trespassing and encounters with the police, which will help relations between the borough and the University, Boyd said.

Outgoing USG President Mark Stewart, disappointed with the trial period's results, said three weeks was not long enough for students to get to know the new Loop.

Even so, Panhellenic Council President Becky Friese called the Loop a great addition to the University's services.

From the feedback she received during the first few weeks of the service, she thought it was successful.

Friese also mentioned the possibility of future financial support for the Fraternity Loop from Panhel.

"I think it's wonderful," she added.

Loop passengers echoed the same feelings.

Judith Gold (freshman-liberal arts) who climbed on the Loop at 1:30 Saturday morning said her decision to ride rather than to walk was an easy one.

"It's a lot closer to the fraternities and it's a lot easier than walking to Beaver (Hall)," Gold said.

Wendy Finkel (freshman-communications) agreed, but said the low weekend temperatures prompted her to take the ride instead of a long walk.

In the future, the Fraternity Loop might be used as a winter service, just running during the normally cold months from late fall to early spring, Boyd said.

The reasons for having just the winter service are economic, Boyd said. It costs about $75 per van to service the fraternity area. Boyd said he fears that too many students will walk in warm weather, making the service an economic liability.

Other ideas were considered to streamline expenses, Boyd said.

In the future, fraternities may buy tokens in large quantities to hand out as students leave parties, he said. Students won't have to keep money for the Loop, and with tokens, they will be more familiar with the service, he added.

Boyd also noted that a more reasonable price for the new service would be 70 to 75 cents per token.

Boyd predicted that USG President-elect Rob Kampia would not support the Fraternity Loop to the extent of the current administration, but Stewart said the new Loop would still find support in the USG Senate.