CATA CORNER: All About CATAGO! Microtransit Service

Earlier this year the Centre Area Transportation Authority began operation of “CATATGO!”, an on-demand transportation service that serves parts of Centre County, including Bellefonte, Pleasant Gap and some of State College.

After downloading the smartphone app, riders can choose their pick-up and drop-off locations within the service area, request a ride, and simply wait to be picked up.

For those using ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft, this may sound very familiar. However, priced at just two dollars per ride, the CATA service is usually significantly cheaper. Some riders’ fare is even more affordable: those with disabilities or those with a valid U.S. Medicare Card ride for only a dollar, and children and senior citizens ride free. Additionally, transfers are free between CATAGO! and CATABUS Community Routes.

Riders will be picked up in a large, CATA-marked van that seats up to seven passengers and includes a bike rack. The service area extends from the Centre County Prison to beyond the Bellefonte Weis Market, covering the borough. The service extends to three additional points near State College and Penn State: Walmart on Benner Pike, Mount Nittany Medical Center and Porter Road at the Jordan East Parking Lot. Coverage was also recently extended to include all of Pleasant Gap.

If you don’t have a smartphone, you can still ride. Just request a ride from your desktop computer on the CATA website, or call 814-237-1821. CATAGO! operates weekdays from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.