CATA Expands Free Youth Pass Program to Year-Round

A youth pass program that allowed kids to ride CATA Bus and CATA Go for free in the summertime will now be available year-round.

The Centre Area Transportation Authority Board of Directors on Monday voted to expand the Free Youth Pass program for school-aged riders.

Ridership data showed a significant increase in youth trips during the free summer months, according to a CATA new release. From May through July this year, youth riders took 2,891 trips using the Free Summer Youth Pass, averaging 964 trips per month. During the preceding paid period from September 2025 through April 2026, youth riders took 1,039 trips total, averaging 130 trips per month.

Offering the Free Youth Pass year-round will offer increased opportunities for kids to access after-school activities, jobs, libraries, parks and other resources in the Centre Region.

“We saw a strong utilization of the Free Summer Youth Pass program, and we’re excited to extend it into a year-round benefit that will make it easier for our local youth to access the opportunities and resources our community offers,” Todd Horsley, CATA CEO, said in a statement.

Riders who had the Free Summer Youth Pass will need to get a new Free Youth Pass, and anyone who has already purchased a paid Youth Pass for September 2026 should contact CATA customer service for a refund.

To obtain a free annual Youth Pass, students in high school or younger must present a current school ID, a photo ID with date of birth or a birth certificate at CATA’s customer service center, 108 E. Beaver Ave. in State College, according to the authority’s website.

Children under 40 inches tall always ride for free without a pass.