Fare Options and Information

There is no fare required for the CATABUS Campus Service (Loop and Link routes.) A fare is required for every one-way trip on the 19 Community Service routes. Cash, tokens, transfers and passes are the available fare options. While CATA accepts LionCash+ for the purchase of tokens and passes, LionCash+ cannot be used to pay the Cash fare on the buses. The exceptions to the fare are noted below (under Passes).

Payment options for the purchase of tokens and passes: In addition to cash or personal checks accompanied by proper photo identification, CATA accepts Visa and Master Card for debit or credit purchases of tokens and passes at both CATA offices. CATA also accepts LionCash+ for the purchase of tokens and passes at the Downtown Office only.

Cash

$1.50: Exact change only, drivers do not carry change.

Tokens (one token is valid for one fare)

Token singles: $1.50
Roll of 20: $29.00
Tokens are available at both CATA offices and at the following locations:

CAMPUS: The HUB Information Desk and the seven Commons Desks (Findlay, Pollock, Nittany, Redifer, Waring, Warnock and White Course)

DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE: Student Book Store and McLanahan’s Student Store-Penn State Room.

TRANSFERS: If you are using cash or tokens as fare and you need to take more than one CATABUS Community route trip to complete a one-way trip, ask the driver of the first bus you board for a transfer when you board that first bus. Transfers are free and are valid for up to one hour as substitute fare for the second bus ride needed to continue your one-way trip. Transfers cannot be used for return trips.

Passes

For frequent riders, CATA offers the "OnePass", good for unlimited rides on all CATABUS Community routes. Monthly passes are sold in increments of one and four months based on the following cost schedule:

A three-month pass, for example, would cost $177.00 (the cost of 3 one-month passes) and a five month pass would cost $288.00 (the cost of a four-month pass + a one-month pass)

The “ONEPASS” is available in monthly increments ranging from 1 to 12 months, beginning on any day of a given month. For example, a pass for three months which begins on March 21st will expire on June 20th. For $31 more, you may add a half month (from the 16th to the 30th/31st or from the 1st to the 15th) only to the beginning or end of passes which correspond to calendar months.

OnePasses may be purchased at either CATA office during regular office hours from opening until 4:30 p.m. If you already have a OnePass, you can order your next pass by mail; click here for the order form, which includes instructions and must be completed and mailed to CATA with your payment. You may copy the form for future orders or print a new one each time. Please call CATA at 814-238-2282 x450 if you have questions about how to order a pass by mail.

Family Passes are available and valid for unlimited use of all CATABUS routes and include additional pass for a spouse and all immediate family members under 18 years of age (minimum of 3 persons to qualify as a family). the cost for a Family Pass is equal to two times the regular pass rate (e.g. a four month Family pass would cost $458.00).

Penn State Employees Ride For Five Program: A special pass is available to Penn State full-time employees through payroll deduction for only $5/month. For more information on the Ride For Five program please contact or visit the University Park Campus Parking Office at the Eisenhower Parking Deck, (814) 865-1436.

Exceptions to the required fare

Free:

Children Under 40" Tall (accompanied by an adult)

Senior Citizens Age 65 and Older(with valid  Senior Citizen Transit Identification Card)
Senior citizens age 65 and older may use CATABUS Community service free at all times by presenting a Senior Citizen Transit Identification Card as they board the bus. The card is available free of charge at either CATA office; an application and proof of age are required. Senior Citizens presenting a Medicare Card must pay half fare; only a Senior Citizen Transit Identification Card is valid for free transit.

Half fare: $.75

Individuals With Disabilities (with Reduced Fare Identification Card or a valid U.S. Medicare Card)
Individuals with disabilities may use CATABUS Community service for half of the cash fare by presenting a Reduced Fare Identification Card or a valid U.S. Medicare Card. The Reduced Fare Card is available free of charge at either CATA office. An application and either a doctor’s certification of disability or Medicare Card are required. Single Half-Fare ride coupons, which can be used in place of the required $.75 cash fare, are also available at either office. Each coupon is valid for one one-way trip when presented with the Reduced Fare Identification Card or a valid U.S. Medicare Card. Books of 20 coupons are also available at either CATA office for $15.00.