The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) is a mass transit agency that provides bus transportation within State College, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas, as well as Pennsylvania State University. In , the system had a ridership of , or about per weekday as of .
History
The company first started as Centre Area Transit (CAT), which was formed to provide a vehicle to subsidize public transit throughout the region. Then on May 17, 1974, the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) was incorporated. By the end of its first year, CATA was officially up and running and its annual ridership was 201,000. By 1979, ridership was continuing to grow year after year prompting CATA to add more bus routes as well as additional buses built by General Motors Corporation. It was then in 1990 that ridership had officially hit the two million mark. Currently all of CATA's fleet buses are CNG-powered and ridership has exceeded seven million passengers, the majority of riders being Penn State students.
Clean Natural Gas Program In 1993, the CATA Board of Directions made a decision, to start running its buses using Compressed natural gas. With this decision, CATA started the Clean Natural Gas Program, along with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, where the buses uses clean-burning compressed natural gas that improves the environment. The fuel conversion became easy, as CATA operates its routes close to where natural gas is produced. By then, a natural gas fueling station was installed in the facility in 1995, where CATA can store all natural gas buses in their facility. In 1996, CATA introduced their first fleet of natural gas buses built by Orion Bus Industries. Following delivery, CATA began working with local officials to install natural gas fueling station, to provide natural gas as a fueling option for the public. From 1997 to 2002, CATA began to expand its facility, by adding more natural gas buses with the new state-of-the-art New Flyer low-floor buses, and more fueling dispenser, to expand its capacity, and more fueling capacity. Then, a canopy was installed above the station in the facility, where CATA will be able to fuel buses out of the snow. Following the entire program, CATA would eventually phase out the remaining GMC diesel-powered buses. The Clean Natural Gas program was completed in 2005, making the first agency in the east coast to have its facility converted to hold natural gas buses.
Hydrogen bus project
Following the completion of the Clean Natural Gas program, CATA continued to experiment more alternate fueling option, by joining with Penn State and Larson Transportation Institute. In 2006, the CATA board began to research to have the fleet to run on Hydrogen fuel cell. With the research, one of CATA's buses (Bus #85) was converted to a hydrogen-powered bus, to be a part of an extensive hydrogen demonstration project that is being conducted by Penn State's Pennsylvania Transportation Institute (PTI). Air Products & Chemicals of Allentown, Pennsylvania and Collier Technologies of Reno, Nevada in 2007. This bus was studied for a possibility to use Hydrogen as a fuel for public transportation in Penn State. PTI was able to get funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to convert one of CATA's forty-foot New Flyer C40LF buses to run on a hydrogen/natural-gas blend (HCNG). The project was suspended as of 2009.
2012 Fleet Upgrades In the summer of 2012, CATA took a delivery of 28 brand new 40' New Flyer Xcelsior CNG-powered buses. Those buses replaced the 16 40' Orion V buses and also the 9 35' New Flyer C35LF LYNX buses (#38-45 and #47) from Orlando, FL. All of the Xcelsior buses are 40' despite the fact that nine replaced 35' buses. This replacement plan also allowed CATA to make a net gain of 3 40' buses in their fleet, as only 25 buses were replaced.
Fare-Free Routes In the fall of 1999, CATA and Penn State came up with an agreement in which CATA would take over all bus transportation on campus, which would be fare-free. Four routes were created as part of the agreement: The Blue and White Loops (in conjunction with the school's colors), and the Red and Green Links (the latter of which is no longer in service). The three current routes, Blue/White Loops and Red Link, run during the fall and spring semesters. Only Blue Loop and White Loop run on the summer and operate under a limited-service schedule. No Loop or Link services run on Sundays during summer except special events. All three routes have service modifications on football gamedays. +RouteDestination (A)Destination (B)ServiceBlue LoopJordan East Parking on Porter Road - Clockwise loop around campus via College Ave. - Gamedays: Runs via Bigler RoadWhite LoopSchlow Library on Beaver Avenue - Counter-clockwise loop around campus via Beaver Ave. - Gamedays: Runs via Computer Building on Bigler RoadRed LinkWest DeckPorter Rd. at Medlar Field - Only during full service - Gamedays: Terminates at Computer Building on Bigler Road - Runs via Curtin Road
Major Service Routes CATA's service routes (also known as the "Centre Line") travel around the Penn State campus, downtown State College, and the surrounding areas. All routes run under full service during fall and spring semesters, and only a limited number run during reduced service in the summer.
RouteRoute CorridorDestination(A)Destination(B)ServiceACAtherton Street ConnectorColonnade BlvdScenery Park - Full-time - No Sunday ServiceCCCollege Avenue ConnectorBenner PikeDowntown (Research Dr) - Full-time - Weekday Commuter Service (west of Butz Street) for 4 morning/4 evening tripsHToftrees / Trader Joe's PlazaTrader Joe's PlazaPSU Campus/Downtown - Full-time - No Sunday Service
- Limited Service to The Village at Penn StateHUToftrees AveToftrees AvePSU Campus - Express Service - Weekdays Only (Fall & Spring Semesters only)NMartin Street / Aaron DriveColonnade BlvdPSU Campus/Downtown - Full-time - No Sunday ServiceNEMartin Street / Aaron Drive ExpressNorthbrook GreensPSU Campus - Express Service - Weekdays Only (Fall & Spring Semesters only)NVThe Heights / Martin St. / Vairo Blvd. / Toftrees / DowntownToftreesDowntown - Clockwise Community Service - Part-time
- Late Night (after 10:00pm) and Sunday ServiceRWaupelani DriveResearch DrivePSU Campus/Downtown - Full-time - No Sunday ServiceRCWaupelani Drive ExpressResearch DrivePSU Campus - Express Service - Weekdays Only (Fall & Spring Semesters only)RPWaupelani/DowntownWaupelani DriveDowntown - Part-time - Late Night (after 10:00pm) and Sunday ServiceUPParkway Plaza / University Dr. / Campus / DowntownAllen Street GatesWaupelani Dr. - No Midday Service (11:00am-4:00pm) - No Weekend ServiceVVairo Blvd.Colonnade BlvdPSU Campus/Downtown - Full-time - No Sunday ServiceVEVairo Blvd. ExpressVairo BlvdPSU Campus - Express Service - Weekdays Only (Fall & Spring Semesters only)VNDowntown / Toftrees / Vairo Blvd. / Colonnade / Martin St. / The HeightsDowntownThe Heights - Counterclockwise Community Service - Sundays Only
- Trial Route for Summer Reduced ServiceWValley VistaValley Vista Drive / Geisinger Gray's WoodsPSU Campus/Downtown - Full-time - No Sunday Service
- Limited Service to Geisinger Gray's WoodsWEHavershire Blvd. ExpressThe HeightsPSU Campus - Express Route - Weekdays Only (Fall & Spring Semesters only)
Summer-Only Route Starting in Summer 2024, CATA is introducing the SY - Summer Circulator Route, serving downtown State College. This service runs on College Avenue, Westerly Parkway, Pugh Street, and Beaver Avenue. The service runs full-time during the summer reduced service schedule.
College Avenue Connector (CC) Commuter Route In February 2024, CATA restored service to Cato Park after eliminating service as a part of CATA's mid-year service changes. A special commuter service was added to the College Avenue Connector route west of Butz Street. There are four round-trip services scheduled in the morning and four round-trip services in the evening, both of which connect to the full-service College Avenue Connector route. The commuter service is in effect until August 2024.
Gameday Football Shuttle During home Penn State football games, CATA also runs two special service routes which serve as the gameday football shuttle. The Downtown Shuttle runs on a loop through downtown State College en route to Beaver Stadium, with bus stops placed in front of a number of various hotels located along the route. The other route is the South Atherton Shuttle which also runs from a designated parking lot in the Hills Shopping Center to Beaver Stadium, allowing fans to park their cars and take the shuttle to the stadium.
Past Service Routes As of May 2024, only 16 routes are in operation by CATA. Many of the previous service routes have been eliminated through service changes. Some of the routes have been replaced with CATAGO micro transit service, including Bellefonte, Boalsburg, Pine Grove Mills, Pleasant Gap, and Cato Park. RouteRoute CorridorDestination (A)Destination (B)ServiceAPark Forest VillagePark ForestPSU Campus/Downtown - Part-time - Weekdays OnlyBBoalsburgBoalsburgPSU Campus/Downtown - Part-time - Weekdays OnlyCHouservilleHouservillePSU Campus/Downtown - Part-time - Weekdays OnlyFPine Grove MillsThe MeadowsPSU Campus/Downtown - Part-time - Weekdays OnlyGStormstownStormstownPSU Campus/Downtown - Part-time - Weekdays OnlyHMToftrees Nittany MallNorthbrook GreensNittany Mall - Full-timeKCato ParkCato ParkPSU Campus/Downtown - Part-time - No Sunday ServicePTussey MountainTussey MountainPSU Campus/Downtown - Full-time - No Sunday ServiceSScience ParkScience ParkPSU Campus/Downtown - Part-time - Weekdays OnlyXBBellefonteBellefontePSU Campus/Downtown - Part-time - No Sunday ServiceXGPleasant GapPleasant GapPSU Campus/Downtown - Part-time - No Sunday ServiceGreen LinkPSU CampusPSU Campus (Stadium Commuter Lots)PSU Campus (Pattee Transit Center) - Fall/Spring Semesters Only - No Weekend Service
Fare Information CATA uses three different payment options for fares: cash, tokens, or passes. Tokens can be purchased using credit or debit cards, cash, or LionCash (only at the CATA Customer Service Center on Beaver Avenue). Tokens cost $2.20 each or $42 for a roll of 20 tokens. Tokens can be purchased on the Penn State Campus at the HUB-Robeson Center Information Desk, Findlay Commons Desk, Pollock Commons Desk, Redifer Commons Desk, Warnock Commons Desk, and White Course Commons Desk. Tokens can also be purchased in downtown State College at the Student Book Store, McLanahan's Student Store, and the CATA Customer Service Center. Passes can be purchased as a day pass on the Token Transit app or as a OnePass through CATA. $2.20 for each bus route (excluding the Blue Loop, White Loop, and Red Link). Senior citizens 65 and older: Free Individuals with disabilities: Half Fare ($1.10)
Fleet CATA operates 71 buses for its fixed routes. CATA also has 8 Paratransit mini-buses and 45 vans for vanpools.
Year Builder Model Powertrain(Engine/Transmission) Fleet Number(Quantity) Length (ft.) Fuel Propulsion Notes 2004New FlyerC40LF Cummins Westport C Gas Plus Voith D863.3E 62-70(9)40CNG Ex-CENTRO, acquired in 2018. 62-67 have suburban seating, while 68-70 have transit seating. Currently stored. 2011–2012 XN40Xcelsior Cummins Westport ISL-G Voith D864.5 2-29(28) Entered service in mid-2012 2014–2015 30–31,37-46(12) 2014 Ford F550Cutaway Van 6.8L Ford Modular engine Unknown 32-36(5)32* Operates under CATARIDE/CentreRide2019GilligLow Floor Cummins Westport L9N Voith D864.647-61 (15)40 Replaced the 1996–1998 New Flyer Low Floor buses. 2020 New Flyer XN60Xcelsior 100-104(5)60* First articulated buses for CATA. Entered in service on September 7, 2020 XN40Xcelsior 200-205(6)40 Replacing the remaining C40LFs. Entered in service on September 5, 20202022XN60Xcelsior105 (1)60
Retired Fleet