CATA: Your Smart Ride for the Centre Region (2024 Impact)

CATA: Your Smart Ride for the Centre Region

Driving Positive Change in 2024

Leaf Icon Breathe Easier: How CATA Reduced CO2 in 2024

Choosing CATA helps keep State College green! In 2024, our buses helped eliminate a net 2,493 metric tons (2,492,661 kg) of CO2 compared to the equivalent trips being made by personal cars.

While our efficient CNG buses produced about 2,832 tonnes (2,831,868 kg) of CO2, the personal car trips they replaced would have generated an estimated 5,325 tonnes (5,324,529 kg)! Your choice makes a big difference.

That's a net saving equivalent to:
  • Taking 542 gasoline-powered cars off the road for an entire year!
  • The carbon-sequestering power of 2,967 acres of U.S. forests for a year (larger than the PSU campus)!
  • Offsetting the annual electricity use emissions of over 548 average American homes!

Dollar Icon Keep Your Cash: Ride CATA & Save!

Driving costs add up fast! Every time you choose CATA instead of driving, you save money on gas, maintenance, insurance, and more.

Savings Per Trip (Cash Fare)

$0.81*

Savings Per Trip (Annual Pass)

$0.90*

Regular commuters save even more! Nearly $400/year* paying single fares, or over $430/year* with an Annual Pass compared to driving. Avoid parking costs and save hundreds or thousands more!

*Compared to estimated driving costs. See methodology below.

Traffic Icon Less Traffic, More Flow: Thanks for Riding CATA!

Every CATA rider helps reduce traffic! In 2024, your trips made a significant impact, easing congestion for everyone in and around State College.

The total 14.4 Million vehicle miles avoided in 2024 is staggering!
  • That's equivalent to driving the entire length of Manhattan (approx. 13.4 miles) over 1 Million times!
  • Enough miles to drive around the Earth over 550 times!

Methodology/Assumptions Note: Calculations based on FY 2024 (Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025) CATA ridership (4,928,710 riders) and fuel data (412,857.89 GGE CNG). Personal vehicle comparisons use estimated averages for State College context: Average Vehicle Occupancy (1.2), Average Trip Length (3.5 miles), Average Car Fuel Economy (24 MPG), and Average Car Operating Costs ($0.86/mile based on AAA data and local fuel prices). CO2 factors sourced from EPA/DOE (6.86 kg CO2/GGE for CNG, 8.89 kg CO2/gallon for gasoline). Individual savings may vary.