CATARIDE

CATARIDE provides curb-to-curb transportation for senior citizens and people whose disabilities prevent their use of CATABUS buses. This page summarizes CATARIDE regulations and policies. Complete information is contained in CATA’s separate CATARIDE brochure, available at either CATA office or by calling (814) 238-CATA(2282). Questions about service and policies should be addressed to CATARIDE Program Administrator, Ms. Judi Minor, at CATA, 2081 W. Whitehall Road, State College, PA 16801, or by calling (814) 238-CATA(2282) x121.

ELIGIBILITY:

CATARIDE is open to anyone, but only those age 65 or over or those eligible for paratransit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may use CATARIDE at reduced fares.

Applications are available below, at either CATA office or by calling (814) 238-CATA(2282). Please specify whether you are requesting an application for senior citizens or for disabled riders. Once your application has been approved, you must obtain a CATARIDE identification card, available at no cost at either CATA office.

Senior citizens applicants: Those age 65 and over should present a completed application and proof of age at either CATA office. Only a driver's license, passport, baptismal certificate, birth certificate, Armed Forces discharge papers, PACE identification card, Pennsylvania non-driver photo identification card, Veteran’s Universal Access card, Resident Alien Card issued by the INS or a letter from the Social Security Administration can be accepted. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

CATARIDE Senior citizen applicants passenger application (PDF format)

Disabled applicants: Disabled applicants should complete and return an application to CATA at 2081 W. Whitehall Road, State College, PA 16801. Passengers who use a wheelchair on a permanent basis may self-certify, but must also meet other requirements concerning use of accessible buses for some or all trips. For other disabled applicants, CATA will request a physician’s verification. Applicants will be notified by mail when eligibility is denied or approved.

CATARIDE disabled applicants passenger application (PDF format)

Disabled applicants under the age of 65 are eligible for CATARIDE only if a mobility, visual or cognitive impairment prevents use of CATA buses or navigation through the CATA bus system. Eligibility may also be approved if a specific disability-related condition interacts with architectural or environmental barriers to prevent travel to and from bus stops, but such barriers in themselves do not grant eligibility. The impairment must make it impossible to use buses, rather than just more difficult than for those without the impairment. Eligibility will not be approved if an applicant is able to use buses but wishes to travel in locations or at times when buses are not available. Applicants who are able to use buses some of the time will be approved for CATARIDE only for trips which cannot be made on a bus. Those who can use buses with accessibility features, such as lifts or ramps for passengers with mobility impairments and stop announcements for those with visual or cognitive impairments, are not eligible for CATARIDE unless accessible buses are not available for a specific trip or unless a specific, medically-certified disability-related condition exists to prevent use of accessible buses. If eligibility is limited to certain trips, applicants will be notified of these limitations upon approval for CATARIDE. For applicants with temporary impairments, eligibility will be approved for a limited time.

SERVICE AREA:

All trips must have both an origin and destination within the CATARIDE service area. In the Centre Region (State College Borough, Harris, College, Ferguson and Patton Townships), in Bellefonte Borough and in Spring, Benner and Halfmoon Townships, service operates up to 3/4 of a mile in any direction from CATA's CATABUS routes. Service area maps are available from CATA, or you may call CATA or CATARIDE to determine whether a specific trip lies within the service area. The service area is subject to change whenever CATABUS routes are revised.

HOURS AND DATES OF SERVICE:

CATARIDE does not run on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or on any other days when CATABUS fixed-route service does not operate. Service on Christmas Eve runs only until 6:30 P.M. Hours and days of service are subject to change whenever CATABUS schedules are revised.

CATARIDE currently operates from 4:45 a.m. until 1:00 a.m., Monday through Friday (until 2:15 a.m. Thursday and Friday during Penn State fall and spring semesters), from 7:45 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. Saturday (until 2:15 a.m. during Penn State fall and spring semesters), and from 7:45 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. Sunday, except that there is no service between the Centre Region and Bellefonte/Pleasant Gap or within Bellefonte or Pleasant Gap on Sundays, and no service between the Centre Region and Halfmoon Township or within Halfmoon Township on Saturdays or Sundays.

ADVANCE RESERVATION REQUIREMENT:

An advance reservation is required for each one-way trip, including return trips and any stops along the way. Disabled passengers may make reservations up to 14 days prior to the day of travel. Other users may only make a reservation on the day prior to travel.

SCHEDULING:

Individual trips will be grouped whenever possible by scheduling pick-up times up to sixty minutes earlier or later than the requested time. You will be notified of the scheduled pick-up time when you make your reservation.

FARES:

Fares are required for each CATARIDE trip.  Each stop an individual rider makes is counted as one trip.  Exception: Any trip which is entirely within the CATABUS and LOOP Fare-Free Zone (map available here) on and around the Penn State Campus is free for all ADA eligible riders.  All other CATARIDE rules and policies apply within the Fare-Free Zone.   You may confirm that your trip is fare-free when calling to make a ride reservation.

1. Senior citizen CATARIDE fare - $2.00 per trip (or stop)
   (made possible through Pennsylvania’s Lottery Fund.)

2. Individuals with disabilities (under 65 years of age) CATARIDE fare - $3.00 per trip (or stop)
   (established as a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act.)

3. General Public CATARIDE (Full) Fare - $13.35 per trip. 

You may pay for your CATARIDE trip with exact change or coupons. Coupons may be purchased at either CATA office or by mailing a check or money order in the appropriate amount to: CATA, 2081 W. Whitehall Road, State College, PA  16801. 

1. Senior citizen CATARIDE fare coupons – singles: $2.00; book of 20: $40.00.
   
   Individuals with disabilities (under 65 years of age) CATARIDE fare coupons – singles: $3.00; book of 20: $60.00

Coupons are NOT refundable for any reason.

SERVICE LIMITATIONS:

Drivers may only assist passengers to and from the vehicle at the curb, and with packages while getting on or off the vehicle. Drivers are not permitted to enter residences or other buildings to assist passengers at any time. Passengers requiring assistance are allowed to bring along personal care attendants. More information on attendants and escorts is available in CATA’s separate CATARIDE brochure.

VISITORS:

Disabled visitors with documentation from another transit authority certifying eligibility for paratransit under ADA may use CATARIDE by showing such documentation, subject to the same limitations imposed by the other transit authority. Visitors without such documentation must notify CATA of their disability and place of residence to obtain approval to use CATARIDE. Visitors may only use CATARIDE for 21 calendar days from first date of use of the service, after which visitors must complete an application and be determined eligible by CATA to continue. Contact CATA for more information.

OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST TO RIDERS:

HALF-FARE PROGRAM: Eligible seniors and disabled passengers may ride CATA’s CATABUS Community service for one half of the regular base cash fare. If you have a valid U.S. Medicare Card issued by the Social Security Administration, you may show the driver your Medicare Card upon boarding. Please be prepared to show another form of photo identification upon request. If you do not have a Medicare Card, or wish to obtain a half-fare identification card in addition to your Medicare Card, you may obtain an application from CATA at either office or by calling (814) 238-CATA(2282), extension 450.

CENTRE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM: Centre County also offers transportation for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The service operates throughout Centre County and, on a limited basis, to medical facilities in nearby counties. Advance reservations are required and service may be restricted to certain days, locations, and/or times. For more information, call the Centre County Office of Transportation at (814) 355-6807.

PSU SERVICE: Additional curb-to-curb transportation for Penn State students, faculty, and staff with disabilities is operated by Penn State on the University Park Campus. Call (814) 863-7021 for information.