Watch this new video short about ATA and its partners in rural transit.

In the mid1970s, the Pennsylvania legislature enacted the Rural Public Transportation Operating Assistance Program in response to a need for affordable public transportation for the Commonwealth’s rural citizens.

The question, “Is there a mobility problem in rural Pennsylvania?” was asked in 1975 and the answer was “yes”.

In Pennsylvania, public transportation in rural communities is a vital component of ensuring access to employment, medical, recreational and social services for all residents.  Pennsylvania has long been recognized as a leader in public transportation with significant investments of public funds to ensure the continuation of services in both urban and rural areas.

In rural communities, the poor, elderly and disabled, are among the nation’s most isolated citizens, and transportation disadvantaged. The highest concentrations of seniors and disabled individuals in the Commonwealth reside in rural areas. Senior citizens make up around 44% of all transit riders in rural Pennsylvania and over 17% of the rural population is disabled.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2019

JOHNSONBURG PA – CONTACT Kelli Surra – ATA Marketing
814.965.1266
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ATA NEWS RELEASE: ATA joins "Every Ride Counts" national campaign in 2019

“Every Ride Counts” is the name of a nationwide awareness program from the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC). The program was launched in December 2018 along with the release of a comprehensive transportation survey of older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. ATA participated in the launch of “every ride counts” during a news conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on December 7th. NADTC is funded by the Federal Transit Administration. It is administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Easterseals, with guidance from the Administration for Community Living of the Department of Health and Human Services.

NADTC offers training and support to service providers and transportation agencies like ATA. The mission of NADTC is to assure that older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers are aware of how local transportation options can help them get where they need to go. ATA has already distributed nearly 1,000 copies of a publication from NADTC called “Before You Give Up the Keys”. ATA has made this “planner” booklet available free of charge.

Brand new - ATA Bus 550 will soon join the fleet.

ATA Bus 550 displays the logo for NADTC’s

“Every Ride Counts” national transportation awareness campaign.

Click on Photo to Open Full Resolution Version

“NADTC’s publication shows how to “Create a Roadmap for Transportation Independence” with action steps and resources for seniors, family members and care givers making the decision about whether to continue driving.”

The NADTC booklet with personal “needs checklist” card, was developed to help people 65-plus in three important steps – “learn, prepare and act” – so that when the decision is made to give up the keys, seniors will already have a roadmap to guide them to full mobility.

For nearly 45 years ATA has been a transit agency for people of all ages, including area seniors. It provides a variety of accessible bus and paratransit services in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter counties. ATA has a long-standing commitment and expertise to help area seniors in their transition from driving to riding the ATA bus. The agency participates in workshops and senior citizen gatherings throughout the year providing information concerning route schedules, senior photo I.D.’s, and the shared ride for seniors program. (Seniors, age 65+ get an 85% discount on general public fares on non-fixed ATA routes.)
“Most people take for granted that they can wake up each day, get in their car, drive to work, drive home, drive to the grocery store or to a movie, and get wherever they want to go. But for some, the time will come when they can no longer drive a car.”

NADTC Video (3:49 min)  December 2018

“Every Ride Counts”
Have you tried ATA transit? ATA says that its new riders are often surprised how easy it is.
“ATA can be a compass in guiding interested seniors and disabled persons to their mobility roadmap and continued independence. It starts with a phone call.”

Call ATA customer service 1-866-282-4968 to request a free copy of “Before You Give Up the Keys”.

DOWNLOAD FULL NEWS RELEASE HERE (Microsoft Word Doc)

DOWNLOAD NEWS RELEASE PDF HERE

ATA is a six county regional transportation authority with headquarters in Johnsonburg PA, support facilities in Bradford and DuBois and transit centers operating in St. Marys and Punxsutawney.

CONTACT:
Kelli Surra
ATA Marketing
814.965.1266

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MATP PUBLIC NOTICE - November 5, 2018 - ELK, CAMERON, MCKEAN

EFFECTIVE January 1, 2019

Completed Medical Travel Verificaiton Forms are due no later than 10 days after the medical travel occurs.

Upon determination of mileage reimbursement eligibility for the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) with ATA, you received an eligibility letter stating the general guidelines of the program along with a copy of the comprehensive ATA MATP User Guide. Both documents explained the ATA MATP mileage reimbursement program policy for advanced approval of trips and submitting your completed “Medical Travel Verification Forms” for reimbursement. Page 4 of the ATA MATP User Guide states:

“To claim mileage reimbursement for a medical assistance trip, it must be approved in advance by ATA MATP by calling 1-866-282-4968. The medical provider is required to certify that you were present for your appointment by completing the MA provider section of the Medical Travel Verification Form. You use the completed Medical Travel Verification Form to verify the purpose of your trip and to file your mileage reimbursement request. Submit this completed form as soon as possible after your Medical Assistance trip or in any case no later than 10 days after it occurs. ATA will reimburse you within two (2) weeks of receipt of your completed mileage reimbursement request.”

Effective January 1, 2019, strict adherence to the ten (10) day policy for receipt of the “Medical Travel Verification Forms” will be enforced.

Any slips received after ten (10) days of the medical appointment will be denied per the policy outlined in the ATA MATP User Guide.

The only exceptions to this rule will be for MATP mileage clients with pre-approval by ATA to submit their forms monthly; and for medical emergencies of which ATA has been notified within five (5) days of the emergency. In either case, verification forms are due within ten (10) days of the end of the month or of the emergency. If you have any questions regarding this policy or if you are in need of a copy of the ATA MATP User Guide, please contact Customer Service at 1-866-282-4968 or download the pdf here.

Jesse Erich, CPA
ATA Program & Compliance Manager