CATA adding new routes this fall while changing, eliminating others. Here’s what to expect
Two new downtown connector routes and the restoration of a popular shuttle line highlight the Centre Area Transportation Authority’s upcoming service changes.
Beginning on Monday, Aug. 15, CATA will introduce the Atherton Street Connector: a high-frequency route that will provide service from Colonnade Boulevard to Geisinger Scenery Park through stops on Atherton Street, downtown State College and South Pugh Street. The new connector route will run each day from about 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
CATA is also introducing the College Avenue Connector. This route will provide service between the Nittany Mall and the CATA office along Whitehall Road while making stops along College Avenue and Beaver Avenue. CATA will provide service on this route from about 7 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 2:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
On Sundays, CATA’s College Avenue Connector will shorten and operate only between the Nittany Mall and downtown State College. Sunday service is expected to begin around 8 a.m. and last until about 12:30 a.m., according to the online schedule.
In a press release, CATA said both new connector routes were designed to “service the community to connect to destinations, such as employment, retail destinations, restaurants, medical offices” and more. Their upcoming implementation comes after CATA held public hearings to discuss service changes with community members.
“Neither route will service campus directly, nor will they directly service student apartment complexes, but rather service College and Beaver Avenues with fare-free connections to the Blue and White Loop for access to the core of campus,” CATA wrote in a statement.
The new connector routes will eliminate a handful of CATA routes, including the A, F, G, “M” portion of the HM, K, P, S and XP routes, which will either join the connector routes or new CATAGo zones. CATA said the H (Toftrees) portion of the HM route will become a standalone route.
CATA’s new Northwest CATAGo zone will provide service in the Park Forest/Science Park areas, including stops at Wegmans, Walmart, Giant Food Store, Weis Market and Mount Nittany Medical Center. The new zone will connect with the Atherton Street and College Avenue connector routes.
The Southwest CATAGo zone will service the Pine Grove Mills and Cato Park/Westerly Parkway areas. It, too, will link with the College Avenue Connector and offer stops at destination points outside the zone, including the South Atherton Street CVS pharmacy, a few grocery stores, Mount Nittany Medical Center and Nittany Eye Associates.
CATA said it is eliminating CATARide service beyond the Piney Ridge development in Ferguson Township, resulting in a loss of service in the Ramblewood and Meadows developments. Affected individuals are encouraged to contact the Centre County Office of Transportation by heading online or calling 814-355-6807.
CATA’s new CATAGo zones will offer microtransit services from 6 to 10 a.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Full service details for CATA’s new CATAGo routes are available online.
New connector routes and CATAGo zones will eliminate CATA’s P (Boalsburg) and XP (Scenery Park) routes. Service to Foxdale Village will continue in one direction outbound.
On top of new and consolidated routes, CATA is set to bring back some older favorites, too.
CATA will restore its late-night and Sunday services using the NV and RP routes, plus a shortened version of the College Avenue Connector. Late-night service will run from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Sunday service will begin at 8 a.m. and last through 12:30 a.m.
Routes on Penn State’s campus, including CATA’s Blue and White loops and the Red Link, will return to full service this fall, too.
Additionally, CATA said it will reinstate its downtown game day shuttle service for Penn State football games this fall. More information, including updated service maps and schedules, is expected before the Nittany Lions’ first home game on Sept. 10.
CATA’s NE, RC, VE and WE express routes will also return this month. They’ll operate all day with a 20-minute frequency during peak hours and a 40-minute frequency during slower hours, CATA said. The HU route will also return with a 20-minute frequency all day.
CATA temporarily suspended some bus routes last year due to “severe staffing shortages.” The organization held a public input meeting in December to hear community feedback on those cutbacks.
For more information on CATA’s fall service changes, visit its website. Comments can be submitted by emailing comments@catabus.com or by calling 814-238-CATA during business hours.
This story was originally published August 10, 2022 at 10:58 AM.
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