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Board approves CATA local match after transit agency outlines budget and service plans
Summary
CATA presented a roughly $29 million budget, proposed a 14% fare increase on big‑bus services, new trial routes and an expanded on‑demand service; Harris Township voted to approve a local match of $46,197 (operating) and $4,939 (capital) via Resolution 25‑09.
CATA Executive Director Dave Rischel told the Harris Township Board the agency's proposed budget for the coming year is about $29,000,000 and described service and technology changes tied to that plan.
Rischel said the agency is proposing a 14% fare increase for its big‑bus and some Go services to keep up with cost pressures that have increased since 2020. "Our budget's coming in really right around $29,000,000," he said, and explained that state and federal subsidies cover roughly 60% of the budget while local matches, fares and contracted services make up the remainder.
Highlights of CATA's plan include two trial summer routes (the UP — University Parkway — and the Happy Valley route), a youth pass program offering free summer passes for riders under 18, and expanded CataGo on‑demand coverage through the township. Rischel also said fixed‑route ridership was up roughly 3.5% systemwide and CataGo usage in Harris Township increased about 6% year‑over‑year.
After the presentation, Supervisor 10 moved to approve Resolution 25‑09 for the agency's FY2025‑26 local match; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The staff packet showed Harris Township's obligation under the proposed local‑match formula as $46,197 in operating funds and $4,939 in capital funds.
Rischel and CATA staff answered questions about contract vendors for contracted services, the new ride‑request app (Via), and plans to phase in digital fare readers and mobile passes later in the year.
