CATA Introducing New Transportation Options to Mount Nittany Health Facilities

CATA will offer new transportation options for riders traveling to Mount Nittany Medical Center and the Mount Health Toftrees outpatient facility beginning July 1, according to a news release on Friday.

Penn State Transportation is discontinuing its shuttle service to Mount Nittany Medical Center effective July 1, so CATA is partnering with the university for demand-response transit for Centre Region riders in the CATA service area who are not in CATA Go service zones, which already provide access to the hospital.

The new service to the hospital off of Park Avenue will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and trips must be scheduled in advance. Reservations must be made no later than the evening before a planned trip and can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance.

“Riders are encouraged to plan ahead and schedule trips early, as demand-response service capacity may vary depending on travel needs,” CATA wrote.

Fare will be $2.50 per one-way trip, the same as the regular CATA fare.

For assistance scheduling a ride or determining available options, riders are encouraged to contact contact the CATA Customer Service Center at (814) 238-2282.

Riders in existing CATA Go zones have and will continue to have access to Mount Nittany Medical Center.

“Whether you work at Mount Nittany Medical Center, you are visiting a patient, or have a non-emergency medical appointment at the hospital, every member of our community should have a reliable and affordable way of getting there,” CATA CEO Todd Horsley said in a statement. “CATA is pleased to offer this new option for getting to and from the hospital because it will both prevent a gap in transit service that would otherwise occur on July 1, and it guarantees access to Mount Nittany Medical Center for every person in CATA’s service area.”

CATA also will begin offering trips to Mount Nittany Health Toftrees through CATA Go for riders within the Center Area West CATA Go service zone starting July 1.

The service provides an alternative transportation option ahead of the discontinuation of H Route access to the facility when CATA’s fall service changes go into effect on Aug. 17. 

Riders can request CATA Go trips on demand or schedule rides in advance for a fare of $2.50 per trip. 

Riders can continue to transfer between CATA Bus and CATA Go services at no additional cost. 

If a trip requires more than one CATA Bus or CATA Go vehicle, riders should request a transfer from the driver when boarding the first vehicle. Transfers are valid up to one hour and may be used to continue a one-way trip. They cannot be used for return trips.