Centre Area Transportation Authority officials announced several proposals yesterday aimed specifically at increasing service to Penn State students and staff.

The University Libraries and CATA revealed plans to extend operating hours for the campus and town Loops during finals week to accommodate late-night library hours, said Eric Bernier, CATA service development director.

Beginning April 28, the last pick will be at the Pattee Library stop at 2:20 a.m. for the Campus Loop and 2:24 a.m. for the Town Loop

University Libraries will pay CATA $700 for the service extension, said Sally Kalin, associate dean for University Park libraries. Kalin said the partnership was necessary to ensure the safety of students and staff who are forced to walk long distances in the dark to a parking lot or home.

"We have to be concerned about student and staff's security," she said. "It's a good price to study until 2 a.m. There's nothing to lose."

Library spokeswoman Catherine Grigor said the move was to encourage students to utilize the library's resources when seeking a quiet place to study for finals.

"The whole reason we're here is to serve the students," she said. "Our hope is the students will take advantage of this service."

CATA officials also announced the possible increase of Link operating hours next fall to coincide with the Fall 2002 opening of the West Campus graduate housing.

The plans include running one Link bus until 12:30 a.m., the same weekday hours the Loop service ends, Bernier said. The bus would run in about 20 to 30-minute intervals, he added.

Bernier also said Saturday and Sunday hours would be added. Currently, the Link runs Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with no weekend operating hours.

The current Link route, which was rerouted to run through North Atherton Street and White Course Drive in November to avoid construction on Pollock Road, would remain intact, Bernier added.

"It will be nice to have the service, but with one bus you'll really have to know the schedule," he said, referring to the longer intervals in between Link runs. "Unless you want to wait for 25 minutes."

Bernier stressed the plans were still in the infant stages, but CATA would like to see an official decision reached by the end of May, he added.

The service increase would be necessary with the additional student housing, Bernier said. The new graduate housing will feature 75 four-bedroom apartments along with on-site parking and will likely lead to an increase in demand for transportation to central campus, he said.

CATA General Manager Hugh Mose said the plans are "only fair" for West Campus students.

"They deserve the same type of service as the students in the central part of campus."