UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Transportation Services will begin accepting online applications for the 2024-25 RIDEpass reduced-fare mass transit program on Monday, May 20.
The RIDEpass mass transit program provides access to all CATABUS routes to eligible University Park faculty, staff and graduate students for only $22 per month. Transportation Services covers the remaining cost of each pass to encourage the use of mass transit, reduce vehicle congestion on campus, and promote sustainable transportation.
Anyone interested in participating in the RIDEpass program during the 2024-25 program year, including current members, must complete a new online application at ridepass.psu.edu.
Faculty/staff and graduate student program eligibility requirements for the program remain unchanged from the 2023-24 academic year:
- Must be employed in a standing, fixed-term I, fixed-term multi-year, or post-doctoral position at University Park, or be enrolled as a graduate, law, or medical student with University Park as the primary campus of enrollment
- Must live off campus at a residence that does not already participate in a CATABUS program
- Must live more than 0.75 miles (walking distance) from a CATA campus service Blue Loop, White Loop, or Red Link stop (Not sure if your address qualifies? Try using our distance web tool - https://transportation.psu.edu/ride-pass-eligibility)
- Must live within the CATA service area
- May not have a core Penn State parking permit (or must return this permit when purchasing the RIDEpass), but may register for a Commuter parking permit
Upon successful completion of the application, participants will receive an email confirmation with details regarding pickup. Current pass holders will have access to an early pickup period starting May 20, while new member pickup will begin Monday, June 3.
Current pass holders will be required to return their existing RIDEpass (which expires on May 31) when picking up the new pass. Pickup will be at the Transportation Services Office, which is temporarily located at the Bryce Jordan Center Ticket Office along Curtin Road and open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Anyone not currently enrolled in the RIDEpass program who wishes to obtain a pass for the remainder of the 2023-24 program year (through May 2024) must apply no later than Friday, May 17, with pickup required by 4:30 p.m. that day. These and all 2023-24 passes will expire on May 31, 2024.
Questions regarding program eligibility should be directed by email to ridepass@psu.edu. For general questions regarding the RIDEpass program and other programs offered by Transportation Services, please call 865-1436.
Bellefonte CATA service changes
Effective July 1, CATA will no longer offer Bellefonte Area service that qualifies for rides through the RIDEpass program.
With the end of CATAGO! service in Bellefonte, CATA will introduce a new service called the Bellefonte Benner B-line beginning July 1 that will serve the Bellefonte and Benner Township areas. The B-Line service will be available from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and 3 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, this line will be cash only, with no passes or tokens accepted as payment. Riders will be able to make free transfers to CATABUS routes, but transfers will not be available to CATAGO!, and riders will need to pay for each trip on this service.
The B-Line service will offer 20 designated destination points for patrons to pick up or drop off. The Nittany Mall is the main connection point to CATABUS, and the CC fixed route bus stop is located there. To schedule a trip, riders will need to call during business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) the day before the intended trip, and reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Subscription trips are not allowed, and riders can only book for themselves and one other person.
Bellefonte area residents are eligible for the CATACOMMUTE and Commute with Enterprise ridesharing program which connects employees who live near each other and provides them with a high-capacity vehicle, such as a recent-model van or SUV, that helps them commute to and from work.
Participants are matched based on their work schedules and proximity to one another. Once four or more participants are matched together, representatives from Commute with Enterprise begin ironing out the details, starting with providing a vehicle that can accommodate up to 15 passengers, as well as coverage for insurance, vehicle maintenance and ongoing support. Participants can choose between several qualifying vanpool vehicles in Enterprise’s selection, including crossovers, SUVs, minivans, and large passenger vans. Vehicles can also come with additional features, including satellite radio and in-vehicle Wi-Fi service.
Visit the CATA Commute website to learn more.