The Centre Area Transportation Authority recently purchased three new paratransit vans for the Centre Ride program to assist anyone who cannot use the current Centre Line buses.

The vans are capable of seating 12 and are wheelchair accessible. The current vans have over 140,000 miles and will be replaced soon.

The first of the three vans began operation on July 3. The other vans will be available within the next three weeks.

The paratransit vans, given by a PennDOT grant, cost $55,617 each. The other funding came from the Federal Transit Administration, the state's Public Transit Assistance Fund and local municipalities which participate in CATA.

The Centre Ride program is operated by Handy Delivery under a contract with CATA. Through this program, people 65 and older and those with disabilities can receive curb-to-curb transportation.