STATE COLLEGE — Centre Area Transportation Authority joined transit agencies across Pennsylvania on Thursday, July 16, to celebrate Rural Transit Day by hosting local legislators for a look inside the organization.
State Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, Mihaly Sogor from State Sen. Wayne Langerholc’s office, R-Clearfield/Centre/Cambria; Loren Glossner from Sen. Cris Dush’s office, R-DuBois; Jennifer Brungard from state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s office; R-Bellefonte; and Warren Obenski, Ferguson Township Manager, visited CATA to learn more about the agency’s work. They were joined by CATA staff, including CEO Todd Horsley, COO Derek Sherman, Director of Finance Bruce Donovan and Director of Business Development and Community Engagement Lori Miller.
The visit began with a brief presentation outlining CATA’s role as a small urban transit system that also services rural areas. Staff emphasized how services like CATAGO! support seniors, workers, and individuals who may otherwise have limited access to healthcare, employment, education, and other essential services.
Following the presentation, Sogor, Glossner and Brungard toured CATA’s facility and participated in a CATAGO! ride‑along, giving them a firsthand look at how the region’s geography and population patterns make flexible, on‑demand service an effective solution for replacing low‑performing fixed‑route service.
CATAGO! is an on‑demand microtransit service operating in areas such as Boalsburg, Houserville and Lemont. The service offers a cost‑effective alternative to low‑ridership fixed‑route service and expands public transit access into rural parts of CATA’s service area.
“CATA provides robust, frequent bus service in and around State College and Penn State,” said CATA CEO Todd Horsley. “In the less densely populated parts of our service area, CATAGO! gives residents a reliable way to get to work, critical appointments and everyday needs. We appreciate our legislative partners coming out to see how CATAGO! supports both residents and the local economy.”
