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CATA proposes modest local match, fare rise and summer pilot routes as ridership rebounds
Summary
CATA Executive Director David Bridal presented an optimistic $29 million FY 2026 budget to State College Borough Council, asked the borough for a $328,755 local match, proposed a fare increase to $2.50 and described new summer pilot routes and service expansions as ridership climbs.
CATA Executive Director David Bridal told the State College Borough Council on May 12 that the Centre Area Transportation Authority expects an "optimistic" fiscal year 2026 budget of about $29,000,000 and requested a borough local-match contribution of $328,755.
Bridal said the budget assumes roughly 60% of revenue will come from state and federal grants, with local revenue—chiefly contracted revenue—amounting to about $5,900,000. He said Penn State contributes both local-match funding and direct payments under a campus service contract, and that the university provides about $3,500,000 in the budget through contracts and pass purchases.
"CATA's base fare is $2.20 now we, want to increase it to $2.50," Bridal said, describing a 14% increase the agency is proposing for fixed-route buses and CATA Go (not CATA Ride, which was adjusted in 2023). He described the rise as the first systemwide fare…
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