CATA to approve expansion of services

Increased state funding could provide expanded Centre Area Transportation Authority bus service for State College and several outlying areas starting in August.

Proposed changes include increased evening and Sunday service to the Hills Plaza section of South Atherton Street, more frequent as well as year-round Sunday service to the Nittany Mall and new and expanded routes to several suburban areas with recently constructed student housing.

The changes are all part of CATA's ongoing efforts to "meet the emerging needs of the community," said Eric Bernier, CATA director of service development.

Bernier attributes increased demand for public transportation in State College to traffic and parking problems as well as CATA's new natural gas buses.

"It attracts attention and maybe makes (riding the bus) a more palatable alternative," he said.

Increased numbers of riders also mean more revenue for CATA, and there are no plans to increase fares, most of which jumped from 85 cents to $1 last year.

CATA receives about half of its revenue from fares and half from federal, state and local government subsidies. A new state gas tax has provided increased funding from Harrisburg this year, Bernier said.

Although the CATA fiscal year begins July 1, the proposed service changes are expected to be implemented at the end of August, when many students are returning to town for the fall semester.

While the changes are tentatively expected to be approved, the CATA Board of Directors has yet to consider them.

"It will probably be pretty soon," said Bob Link, CATA board of directors chairman, "because the board has to approve the proposals by the end of June."

Details of the expansion process are not yet finalized, and suggestions and input are accepted on the World Wide Web at www.catabus.com or by calling 238-CATA.