CATA Proposes Service Cuts for Six Routes

Facing declines in state and federal funding, the Centre Area Transportation Authority has proposed service reductions on six State College-area bus routes.

The proposed cuts, outlined on the CATA website, would take effect on Jan. 8 if they are approved at the local level.

Here’s how the cuts would take shape:

• A Route: The midday trip (12:25 p.m. outbound and 12:30 p.m. inbound runs) would be eliminated.

• AP Route: The first outbound trip (4:55 a.m.) and last two inbound trips (7:45 p.m. and 12:10 a.m.) would be eliminated every day.

• K Route: Saturday service would be eliminated. During reduced-service periods, weekday-morning rush-hour service frequency would be trimmed from every 30 minutes to every 60 minutes. The weekday 7:06, 8:06 and 9:06 a.m. outbound trips would operate only during full-service periods.

• H Route: During reduced-service periods, weekday-morning rush-hour service frequency would be trimmed from every 30 minutes to every 60 minutes. Weekday inbound trips that start at the Colonnade at 6:41, 7:41 and 8:41 a.m. would operate during full-service periods only.

• S Route: The weekday midday trip (12:01 outbound and 12:37 p.m. inbound runs) would be eliminated.

• W Route: Saturday service frequency would be trimmed from every 60 minutes to every 70 minutes. During reduced-service periods, inbound service for the weekday-morning rush hours would be reduced from every 30 minutes to every 60 minutes. Weekday inbound trips that start at Lowe’s Center at 6:44 a.m., 7:44 a.m. and 8:44 a.m. would operate only during full-service periods.

In a news release, CATA indicated that the changes are ‘made necessary by recent reductions in state and federal transit funding.’ The agency’s ‘financial situation is not sustainable long-term, even under the most optimistic projections,’ it reads.

‘As a result, CATA staff has begun taking actions to modify policies, reduce services, increase revenues and in general tighten our collective belts,’ it goes on. ‘Although we have adequate resources to keep our heads above water for the next year, we have need to start making some modest service reductions in January, and between now and next spring review carefully our fare, service level and other policies, and also look at potential new revenue sources and savings throughout our organization.’

A public hearing on the proposed January service cuts is scheduled for 4 p.m. Nov. 8 in the State College Borough Council chambers, 243 S. Allen St. Those unable to attend the hearing may submit comments to be presented there. They can be sent to L. Eric Bernier, Service Development Manager; Centre Area Transportation Authority; 2081 W. Whitehall Road; State College, PA 16801.

Comments also may be submitted to Bernier via e-mail at ebernier@catabus.com.

StateCollege.com will continue to follow and update this story.