CATA stated that it would consider reducing transportation to off-campus students along Vairo Boulevard and Martin Street in hopes off cutting costs.

First off, let me state that I live along Vairo Boulevard, so traveling by bus is already a hassle. The buses are constantly late because the drivers spend too much time smoking an entire pack out by the McDonalds in front of Wal-Mart when they're already behind schedule. It amazes me how CATA won an award for service last year. I personally used the pamphlet they put out in the Collegian last semester regarding their "outstanding achievement" for toilet paper.

But now CATA decides the best way to keep from going over budget is to cut service to the students who desperately need more of it. The alternative would be a price hike for their "award winning" service. Increasing bus fares won't keep the drivers from chain-smoking or motivate them to run their routes on time. Drops in service to Martin St. and Vairo Boulevard will result in angrier students, an increase in traffic along Atherton Street (which CATA can't afford), and will eventually hurt business for the apartment complexes.

Aside from reorganizing their current fleet of buses (perhaps less Campus Loop buses and more off-campus buses), CATA is stuck in a situation where neither they nor Penn State students will come out as winners.