Centre Area Transportation Authority
Encyclopedia
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
.
. It was then in 1990 that ridership had officially hit the two million mark. CATA then revised its bus fleet in 1996 by introducing their first fleet of CNG
buses built by Orion Bus Industries
. The following year, CATA would eventually phase out the remaining GMC
diesel-powered buses, in favor for new state-of-the-art New Flyer low-floor CNG
buses. Currently, excluding one hydrogen-powered bus, all of CATA's fleet buses are CNG
-powered and ridership has exceeded six million passengers, the majority of riders being Penn State students.
Coincidentally, CATA shares the same initials as the Capital Area Transportation Authority
in Lansing, Michigan
, which provides bus transportation for Michigan State University
, who is a Big Ten rival to Penn State
since both schools compete for the Land Grant Trophy
each year during the regular season in football. Interestingly, both transit authorities were also founded the same year.
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 Loop (in conjunction with the school's colors), and the Red and Green Link. All four routes run during the fall and spring semesters, including the summer which operates under a limited service schedule.
There also two regular routes (also known as the "Centre Line") that are fare-free
at all bus stops on campus. These routes overlap the busiest portion of the Loop and Link routes, and help ease congestion on the Loop and Link for passengers to travel across campus:
campus, downtown State College, and the surrounding areas. All routes run under full service during fall and spring semesters, and reduced service during the summer.
, 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.
-powered bus, 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, PA and Collier Technologies of Reno, NV have teamed up to study the possibilities of using Hydrogen as a fuel for public transportation. 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 HCNG, which is a hydrogen/natural-gas blend. The bus can be seen (and heard, given its distinctive higher-pitched engine noise) primarily on the Blue Loop, as well as the N, R, and V routes.
s in CATA's fleet.
State College, Pennsylvania
State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre County. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and roughly double...
and the surrounding areas, as well as Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
.
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 and well as additional buses built by GMCGeneral Motors Diesel Division
General Motors Diesel Division was a unit of General Motors and was a manufacturer of locomotives, transit buses and military products.The locomotive unit was acquired by private investors, the transit bus divisions were purchased by TMC in the U.S. and MCI in Canada, and the GM Defense unit was...
. It was then in 1990 that ridership had officially hit the two million mark. CATA then revised its bus fleet in 1996 by introducing their first fleet of CNG
Compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline , diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill...
buses built by Orion Bus Industries
Orion Bus Industries
Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975...
. The following year, CATA would eventually phase out the remaining GMC
General Motors Diesel Division
General Motors Diesel Division was a unit of General Motors and was a manufacturer of locomotives, transit buses and military products.The locomotive unit was acquired by private investors, the transit bus divisions were purchased by TMC in the U.S. and MCI in Canada, and the GM Defense unit was...
diesel-powered buses, in favor for new state-of-the-art New Flyer low-floor CNG
Compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline , diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill...
buses. Currently, excluding one hydrogen-powered bus, all of CATA's fleet buses are CNG
Compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline , diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill...
-powered and ridership has exceeded six million passengers, the majority of riders being Penn State students.
Coincidentally, CATA shares the same initials as the Capital Area Transportation Authority
Capital Area Transportation Authority
The Capital Area Transportation Authority provides mass transit bus service and paratransit within the metro Lansing, Michigan area including Michigan State University .- CATA system :...
in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, which provides bus transportation for Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
, who is a Big Ten rival to Penn State
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
since both schools compete for the Land Grant Trophy
Land Grant Trophy
The Land Grant Trophy is presented to the winner of each football game between Michigan State and Penn State. The Michigan State Spartans are the current holder of the Land Grand Trophy after beating Penn State 28-22 in State College, PA; the victory ensured that the Spartans won a share of the...
each year during the regular season in football. Interestingly, both transit authorities were also founded the same year.
Fare-Free Routes
In the fall of 1999, CATA and Penn StatePennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
came up with an agreement in which CATA would take over all bus transportation on campus, which would be fare-free
Zero-fare public transport
Free public transport, also often called free public transit or zero-fare public transport, is a single or network of transport services funded in full by means other than collecting a full fare from passengers. It may be funded by national, regional or local government through taxation or by...
. Four routes were created as part of the agreement: The Blue and White Loop (in conjunction with the school's colors), and the Red and Green Link. All four routes run during the fall and spring semesters, including the summer which operates under a limited service schedule.
- Blue Loop - Clockwise route around the campus via College Avenue.
- White Loop - Counterclockwise around the campus via Beaver Avenue.
- Red Link - Runs from West Campus to Innovation Park via Curtin Road.
- Green Link - Runs simultaneously with the Red Link from the stadium parking lots to North Atherton, via Curtin Road. (Only in service on weekdays during Fall and Spring Semester.)
There also two regular routes (also known as the "Centre Line") that are fare-free
Zero-fare public transport
Free public transport, also often called free public transit or zero-fare public transport, is a single or network of transport services funded in full by means other than collecting a full fare from passengers. It may be funded by national, regional or local government through taxation or by...
at all bus stops on campus. These routes overlap the busiest portion of the Loop and Link routes, and help ease congestion on the Loop and Link for passengers to travel across campus:
- "H" Toftrees
- "P" Science Park
Major Service Routes
CATA's service routes (also known as the "Centre Line") travel around the Penn StatePennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
campus, downtown State College, and the surrounding areas. All routes run under full service during fall and spring semesters, and reduced service during the summer.
- "A" Park Forest- Park Forest Village to Campus
- "B" BoalsburgBoalsburg, PennsylvaniaBoalsburg is a census-designated place in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,578 at the 2000 census. The village claims to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. The name Boalsburg comes from...
- Boalsburg and Willow Brook to Campus - "C" HouservilleHouserville, PennsylvaniaHouserville is a census-designated place in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census.-History:...
- Penn Hills to Campus - "F" Pine Grove- The Meadows to Downtown
- "G" Gray's Woods- Gray's Woods to Downtown
- "H" Toftrees (No Fare On Campus)- Woodycrest to Campus
- "K" Cato Park- Cato Park to Campus
- "M" Nittany MallNittany MallNittany Mall is an enclosed shopping mall in State College, Pennsylvania. The mall is noteworthy because it is the only enclosed shopping mall in the State College region.-Anchors:*J.C. Penney*Sears*Bon-Ton...
- Nittany Mall to Campus - "N" Martin St./Aaron Dr.- Overlook Heights to Campus
- "NV" Martin St./Vairo Blvd. (Operates only on weekdays during Fall and Spring Semesters in the late afternoon and evening )- Woodycrest and Overlook Heights to Campus
- "P" Science Park (No Fare On Campus)- Science Park to Campus
- "R" Waupelani Dr.- Greentree to Campus
- "S" Scenery Park- Scenery Park to Campus
- "UT" University Terrace (Operates only on weekdays during Fall and Spring Semesters)- University Terrace to Campus
- "V" Vairo Blvd.- Woodycrest to Downtown
- "VE" Vairo Blvd Express (Operates only on weekdays during Fall and Spring Semesters in the morning and early afternoon)- Express service from Overlook Heights to Campus
- "W" Valley Vista- Gray's Woods to Downtown
- "X" BellefonteBellefonte, PennsylvaniaBellefonte is a borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It lies about twelve miles northeast of State College and is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area...
/Pleasant GapPleasant Gap, PennsylvaniaPleasant Gap is a census-designated place in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap to Nittany Mall - "Z" StormstownStormstown, PennsylvaniaStormstown is a census-designated place in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Stormstown to Downtown
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 in route to Beaver StadiumBeaver Stadium
Beaver Stadium is an outdoor college football stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University. It is home to the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten Conference. The stadium is named for James A...
, 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.
Fare Information
- $1.50 for each bus route (excluding the Blue Loop, White Loop, Red Link, Green Link, and on-campus portions for the "P" and "H" buses).
- Senior citizens 65 and older: Free
- Individuals with disabilities: Half Fare ($0.75)
Fleet
CATA operates 52 buses for its fixed route, and 4 Paratransit mini-buses.| Model | Bus Number | Length | Width | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Flyer C40LF | 78-93 | 40' | 102" | 15 |
| New Flyer C35LF | 38-49, 66-77 | 35' | 102" | 13 |
| Orion Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... V |
50-65 | 40' | 100" | 16 |
| ElDorado ElDorado National ElDorado National is a bus manufacturer owned by Thor Industries. Heavy-duty buses are built in Riverside, California, and cutaway buses and mobility vans are built in Salina, Kansas.-Products:* Aerotech and similar lines of cutaway buses... EZ Rider II |
94-97 | 30' | 96" | 4 |
| Ford Mini-Bus | 4-8 | ? | ? | 5 |
| Dodge Sprinter | 3 | ? | ? | 1 |
Hydrogen Bus Project
One of CATA's buses (Bus #85) is a hydrogenHydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
-powered bus, a part of an extensive hydrogen demonstration project that is being conducted by Penn State's Pennsylvania Transportation Institute (PTI). Air Products & Chemicals
Air Products & Chemicals
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. is an international corporation whose principal business is selling gases and chemicals for industrial uses. Air Products' headquarters is in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, in the United States. Air Products is the Lehigh...
of Allentown, PA and Collier Technologies of Reno, NV have teamed up to study the possibilities of using Hydrogen as a fuel for public transportation. 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 HCNG, which is a hydrogen/natural-gas blend. The bus can be seen (and heard, given its distinctive higher-pitched engine noise) primarily on the Blue Loop, as well as the N, R, and V routes.
CNG Buses
In the summer of 2009, Orlando, FL's Central Florida's Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) donated 10 35' New Flyer buses to CATA. These buses were donated because of CATA's extensive knowledge of CNG powered systems. These buses are most frequently seen on the lower capacity routes, although they occasionally appear on the N, V, R, and NV routes. These buses replaced the six Gillig PhantomGillig Phantom
The Gillig Phantom was a transit bus produced by the Gillig Corporation in Hayward, California. The Phantom was first introduced in late 1980 and, with the exception of a small number of buses built in a three-year-long joint venture with Neoplan from 1977 to 1979, was Gillig's first transit bus...
s in CATA's fleet.