Commuters can expect to see an increase in Centre Area Transit Authority (CATA) bus routes with the arrival of the 10 buses which were donated in March.
The 35-foot compressed natural gas (CNG) buses CATA received as donation from its counterpart, Central Florida's Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) of Orlando, Fla., arrived this summer, said Jacqueline Sheader, CATA marketing manager. She said the buses were originally pink and multicolored, but were painted white before the trip from Orlando, making the buses easily recognizable on the streets of State College while CATA performs tests on the newest addition to their fleet.
Sheader said CATA is in the process of planning the bus schedule for the fall. She said the N, V and R routes can expect to see more frequent stops with the addition of the new buses, especially since they have been low on buses during the peak times of the year.
Courtney Lowe (senior-biobehaviorial health), who lives in an apartment at State College Park, 348 Blue Course Dr., said the addition of more stops will help her get to and from campus much faster.
"I love that," she said. "A lot of times, the bus comes at awkward times."
Lowe is not the only one who is glad to see the changes.
Michael Dollinger (senior-aerospace engineering) said the schedule adjustments also sound like an "overall good thing" and hopes it will fit his schedule better.
More than just local commuters would benefit from the new buses. Sheader said there would be new services in Stormstown. She said CATA patrons could expect to see more stops "here and there."
"The best thing is the ability for us to put more service out there," Sheader said. "There is more flexibility with what we can do."
Sheader also said 10 new bus drivers were hired and she thinks it will "absolutely" benefit the local economy.
CATA received the buses for free and only had to pay the travel costs of the buses. Sheader said the new buses are nearly the same as the old buses, but there are some slight differences with the interior of the buses.
The buses are expected to be in full service on Aug. 22 after CATA finishes maintenance on the buses. Sheader said there are plans for an additional eight new buses.
