| If
you would like to receive email updates of changes or services that affect
you via CATA’s new email newsletter, TRANSITions, please send an email
to marketing@catabus.com. Please
include your name, address, telephone number, email address, and a list
of routes that you ride most often. |
If you have been following the news, you know that Rep. Peterson has been fighting hard to stop the proposed tolling of Interstate 80, which is one of the funding sources for Act 44, the new state transportation funding legislation The Congressman has cited the negative economic impacts that making I-80 into a toll road will have on north central Pennsylvania, as well as his concerns that our rural area will be paying tolls to support transportation investments that will mainly benefit the large cities. At this point it is not clear whether Mr. Peterson will be able to generate enough support in either Harrisburg or Washington to stop the tolling, and if so, what funding alternative might replace it.
Meanwhile, work continues
to implement Act 44. As required by the Act, the Turnpike Commission has made
its initial payment to PENNDOT, and has sold the bonds necessary to keep the
money coming until turnpike tolls are raised and tolling on I-80 is implemented.
At PENNDOT the staff has begun to develop new funding regulations, and three
of CATA staff are deeply involved in helping to write them.
While all this is ongoing, the new funding is beginning to flow to CATA. We’ve
decided to devote the first capital dollars we receive to three projects that
are already in the works: refurbishing our 1997 New Flyer buses, continuing
with the second phase of our technology initiative, and replacing/expanding
the fleet of vanpool vans that we recently took over from Penn State. On the
operating side, we’ll begin by restoring some of the service that we’ve
had to cut over the past half-dozen years – possibly adding service on
the N/R/V Routes, putting midday trips back on University Drive, getting back
to 30-minute rush-hour service in certain corridors, etc. However, changes like
these won’t take place until next August.
For further information, please contact me by phone at (814) 238-2282 extension 130 or via e-mail at hmose@catabus.com.
Hugh A. Mose
CATA General Manager
Thanksgiving Break Service Schedule
In observance of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, CATA’s CENTRE LINE, CENTRE RIDE, LOOP and LINK services will not operate on Thursday, November 22, 2007.
CENTRE LINE and CENTRE RIDE service will run on Reduced Service Monday, November 19, through Wednesday, November 21, and Friday, November 23, through Sunday, November 25. Full Service will resume on Monday, November 26.
The LOOP and LINK will operate on Reduced Service Saturday, November 17, through Wednesday, November 21. They will not operate Thursday, November 22, through Saturday, November 24. These services will resume Full Service on Sunday, November 25.
Both CATA offices will be closed on Thursday, November 22. The Downtown Pass Sales Office will remain closed on Friday, November 23. For more information concerning these schedule changes, please call (814) 238-CATA(2282) or visit the CATA website at www.catabus.com.
Holiday Light Tour Tickets On Sale December 3 at CATA Downtown Office
CATA will hold its ninth annual Holiday Lights Tour Monday, December 17th, through Sunday, December 23rd, with tours at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Holiday Lights Tour, sponsored this year by WOWY 97.1 FM, visits various neighborhoods in the Centre Region, giving riders the opportunity to view the community’s best outdoor holiday lights displays.
Fare for the Tour is $4.00 per person ($2.00 for children 12 and under and for seniors 65 and over with a valid identification).
Seating is limited and the pre-purchase
of tickets is REQUIRED. (No reservations will be taken by telephone). Tickets
may be purchased starting Monday, December 3 at the CATA Downtown Pass Sales
Office, 108 E. Beaver Avenue, State College, Monday - Friday, during regular
office hours.
CATA Provides Free Service to Special Holiday Shopping Day
In conjunction with the Centre County Office of Aging’s annual Special Shopping Day, CATA will be providing complimentary paratransit service to those registered CENTRE RIDE users who will be visiting the Nittany Mall on Tuesday, December 4. (Riders must pre-register with the Office of Aging and must make reservations with CENTRE RIDE in advance). Additionally, those passengers with a Reduced Fare Transit Identification Card or a valid U.S. Medicare Card may ride for free on CATA’s CENTRE LINE routes.
For additional information on this
service, please call CENTRE RIDE at (814) 353-RIDE(7433) or CATA at (814) 238-CATA(2282).
For additional information on the Office of Aging’s Special Shopping Day
or to register for the event, please call the Office of Aging at (814) 355-6716.
November Online Survey Enter To Win!
This month, CATA and the
Penn State Department of Transportation Services are requesting your input on
the LOOP and LINK services. Submit your responses to CATA’s November online
survey at www.catabus.com. Of those who participate, one will be awarded a $40.00
Mario & Luigi’s gift certificate.
CATA’s 2007 United Way Campaign Raises Money for Centre County
Like so many other businesses and organizations, CATA supports our local United Way by hosting its own internal campaign to raise much needed money that is used to provide services throughout Centre County.
The core of Centre County United Way fundraising occurs in the workplace, where employers lead employee campaigns, encouraging support of United Way through payroll deduction. Although CATA, as a public agency, is unable to donate through corporate gifts, CATA is proud to announce that its employees will be providing over $4,300 to the United Way in 2008.
The Centre County United
Way is a volunteer-driven organization that helps a broad range of over 30 local
health and human service organizations provide services, whose services provide
aid to 1 in 3 people in Centre County. To learn more about the Centre County
United Way and what services it supports in Centre County, please call (814)
238-8283 or visit www.ccunitedway.org.
CATA Gift Certificates and Cuddle Buses Make Great Gifts!
Looking for a holiday or birthday gift for that person who seems to have everything? How about a CATA gift certificate (available in any amount) or a stuffed CATA Cuddle Bus ($8.00)!?!
When you give a CATA gift certificate, you give the gift of affordable, convenient, reliable and safe transportation throughout the Centre Region and beyond.
CATA gift certificates and CATA Cuddle Buses are available at either CATA office, Monday - Friday, during normal business hours. For more information, please call (814) 238-CATA.