| 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. |
Happy New Year! Looking ahead to 2008, there’s a lot in store for CATA.
Capital projects that we expect to be undertaking next year include:
• “Smart Bus” Program – we’ll put the finishing touches on the first phase of our technology initiative, and hopefully begin work to install Phase II components such as automatic stop annunciation, on-board video, etc.
• Bus Fleet Restoration – we’ll continue with the program we started last year, rebuilding six more 1997 New Flyer buses, and get started on the purchase of new buses, which may possibly include some 60-foot articulated units.
• Natural Gas Fueling Facility – we’ll replace two of our three compressors with new electrically-powered units, add an integrated gas dryer and upgrade our emergency electrical power equipment.
• Vanpool Vans – we’ll purchase up to eight new twelve-passenger vans for the vanpool program that CATA took over from Penn State, to replace the oldest vehicles and begin to expand the program.
• Centre Ride Vans – we’ll purchase two replacement vans for Centre Ride.
On the planning and operating side, here are a few activities that we think are likely to happen:
• Service Expansion – with our new state transit funding, we should be able to restore some of the service that we’ve cut over the past six or seven years, and perhaps add a limited amount of service to new areas of the community.
• Facility Expansion – with the Board’s approval, we may hire an architect to begin the design work for an expansion of the maintenance and bus storage areas of our facility.
• Centre County Transportation Office (CCTO) Coordination – with the Centre Regional Planning Agency, we expect to undertake a study of how CATA’s services and those of the CCTO might be better integrated.
• Regional Commuter Bus Service – if we get funding from PENNDOT, we may be able to organize long-distance commuter bus service in several key corridors, such as US 322 from the Moshannon Valley or SR 45 from Penns Valley.
It’s pretty clear that 2008 is shaping up to be a very busy year for CATA. If you have questions on any of this, please contact me via e-mail at hmose@catabus.com, or by phone at 238-2282 x-130.
Hugh A. Mose, CATA General
Manager
Centre Line Full Service Schedule To Resume Monday, January 14
CENTRE LINE
CATA will resume its CENTRE LINE Full Service schedule on Monday, January 14.
LOOP and LINK
CATA will resume its LOOP and LINK Full Service schedule on Saturday, January
12.
Changes made to the Spring Full Service Schedule are minimal and affect mainly commuter routes. However, it is recommended that you take a look at your route’s schedule to determine whether any changes have been made. Spring 2008 schedule and service information (including exact route, schedule, and fare information) will be available early January in the Spring / Summer 2008 Ride Guide available on all CATA buses, on the CATA website at www.catabus.com, and by calling (814) 238-CATA(2282).
Spring / Summer 2008 Ride Guides
will be available in the Centre Daily Times on Friday, January 11, 2008!
Starting on Monday, January 14, and lasting through Friday, March 7, CATA will extend its B Route service to accommodate the demand for service to Tussey Mountain during ski season. In addition to its regularly scheduled trips, the B Route will provide an extra trip from College & Allen to Tussey Mountain leaving at approximately 5:55 p.m., Monday through Friday. An additional express trip from Tussey to College & Allen will also run, leaving at 10:30 p.m.
For more information on this extended service, please refer
to the Spring/Summer 2008 CATA Ride Guide, call 238-CATA(2282), or visit the
CATA website at www.catabus.com.
Spring is a busy time for all of us at CATA. Below is an abbreviated look at some of the activities that will take place over the coming months:
CATA Annual Public Hearing - Monday, February 25
The CATA Board of Directors will hold a public hearing in conjunction with its February Board Meeting scheduled for Monday, February 25, at 4:00 p.m. in the State College Borough Council Chambers of the State College Municipal Building, 243 South Allen Street, State College.This Public Hearing is an annual event aimed at gathering community ideas and input regarding local public transportation services.
Nittany Mall Adult Health and Lifestyle Expo -
Thursday, May 15, from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (tentative)
Area residents, age 55 and older, will enjoy a free bus ride to the Nittany Mall to attend the 2007 Adult Health and Lifestyle Expo on Thursday, May 15.Bike to Work Day - Friday, May 16 (tentative)
May is National Bike Month and the Centre Region Bike Coalition (CRBC) and CATA will be working together to sponsor the seventh annual Bike To Work Day tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 16. Area residents are encouraged on this day to join other communities across the nation in riding their bicycles to school or work.
Additional information on each of
these events will be available closer to the event date on the CATA website,
www.catabus.com, and by calling (814) 238-CATA.
Register to Win! CATA January Online Survey
Special thanks to those who participated in our December online survey. Leslie Hutchins of State College was chosen randomly as the winner of a $40.00 Mario & Luigi’s gift certificate!
This month, we’re asking you to provide us with specific
input regarding CATA’s rider amenities. Submit your responses to CATA’s
January online survey at www.catabus.com to register to win a $40.00 Mario &
Luigi’s gift certificate to be awarded Friday, February 1.
Have Questions About Using CATA’s Services?
Bus route, schedule and pass information
is available by calling CATA’s offices at (814) 238-CATA(2282) or by visiting
the CATA website at www.catabus.com.
Additionally, anyone with questions about using CATA’s services is encouraged
to view CATA’s Real® streaming videos demonstrating how to ride the
bus, how to read the bus schedules, how to use CATA’s bus-mounted bike
racks, and more. Each of these streaming videos may be accessed through the
CATA website.