A video about RideATA 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 many of them, public transit is the only means of access to their jobs as owning and operating a vehicle is not economically viable.
People who live in more rural areas need the same types of services as those in urban areas. Our local rural transportation systems are people-oriented, which are systems built around every day human needs such as medical care, shopping, employment and educational opportunities, social services and visiting friends and family.
Rural isolation can result in missed healthcare appointments, missed or delayed use of needed medications both of which can have negative consequences for managing health conditions and quality of life.
Long distances are a key barrier for many people living in rural areas. Average trips for medical or dental services are about 9 miles longer in rural regions. Some trips can be in excess of 50 miles one way to reach a more urban center for medical services.
ATA Board - Meeting Minutes 2019
Click to view or download the PDF
FEBRUARY 20, 2019 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 02-20-19
MAY 15, 2019 - ATA Board of Directors - Annual Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 05-15-19
AUGUST 21, 2019 - ATA Board of Directors - Annual Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 08-21-19
NOVEMBER 20, 2019 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 11-20-19
ATA "Every Ride Counts" campaign underway in 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2019
JOHNSONBURG PA – CONTACT Kelli Surra – ATA Marketing
814.965.1266
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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.
Employment Application
Employment Application (Administrative)
Area Transportation Authority of North Central Pennsylvania an Equal Opportunity Employer
44 Transportation Center, Johnsonburg, PA 15845-2102
Please complete this application with as much information as possible.
ATA Human Resources will contact you for additional information if needed.
(This application is not an offer or promise of employment)
Mail or email the completed application
ATA to work with Avail Technologies of State College on Fixed Route Tech Projects
FROM PennDOT
PROJECT WILL IMPROVE OPERATIONS, CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 32 TRANSIT SYSTEMS
03/01/2018
State College, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) held an event today to announce it has chosen Avail Technologies Inc. of State College, Pa., to implement a Fixed Route Intelligent Transportation System (FRITS) for 32 transit systems that will offer real-time service information for passengers, flexible fare payment options, and enhanced transit planning.
The company currently employs 92 people, 81 of whom work at the State College headquarters, and anticipates a 10 to 20 percent staff increase because of this and other recent contracts.
"We are using data to improve our operations and customer service throughout the department, and we're excited to expand our efforts in improving transit services," PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said of the event. "This project will enhance transit agencies' data collection and reporting while improving communications with staff and customers."
In addition to the service improvements that customers will see, the enhancements will assist with monitoring vehicles' condition, automatically count passengers boarding or leaving vehicles, and provide a statewide reporting database for the department and transit agencies.
"The way that people use and interact with transportation services is changing, and that includes public transportation," PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation Toby Fauver said at the event. "Better data and technology ultimately improves efficiency and meets customer needs."
The nearly $35.7 million, five-year project will begin this spring and installation is estimated to occur over three years. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority and Port Authority of Allegheny County are not included in the project because of their significant time and resources invested in their own similar systems.
"Avail is thrilled to be working with PennDOT and our state transit agencies to deploy the nation's first statewide Fixed Route Intelligent Transportation System solution, which will create a common technology platform across all agencies to facilitate new operational standards and a level of operational data analysis that has never been seen before," said Avail Technologies Inc. President and CEO Dorsey E. Houtz. "The FRITS project will be watched very closely by other states and again, Avail is thrilled to be on the team that will make PA the nation's shining star of technology adoption in fixed route transit."
Public transportation is available in some form in every Pennsylvania county. To see available services, visit www.penndot.gov in the "Public Transit Options" section of "Travel In PA."
With nearly two decades of nationwide experience serving the transit industry, Avail Technologies is pioneering total transit solutions and offers products for CAD/AVL, Passenger Information Systems, Finance Management, Payroll Processing, Human Resources, Inventory Management, Maintenance, Asset Management, Procurement Management, Operations, Planning/Scheduling, Statistical Reporting Management, as well as federal, state and National Transit Database (NTD) reporting. The company also has an office in Las Vegas, Nev.
MEDIA CONTACT: Rich Kirkpatrick or Erin Waters-Trasatt, 717-783-8800
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ATA Board - Meeting Minutes 2018
Click to view or download the PDF
FEBRUARY 21, 2018 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 02-21-18
MAY 16, 2018 - ATA Board of Directors - Annual Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 05-16-18
JUNE 20, 2018 - ATA Board of Directors - Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 06-20-18
AUGUST 15, 2018 - ATA Board of Directors - Annual Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 08-15-18
NOVEMBER 21, 2018 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 11-21-18
DECEMBER 19, 2018 - ATA Board of Directors Special Meeting
ATA SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES 12-19-18
ATA has implemented a new computer assisted scheduling and dispatch system. This change was installed statewide under PennDOT and has been in operation since August of 2017.
The new ATA Ecolane Mobility System has some new features that have helped ATA riders schedule trips quickly and efficiently.
When you call to schedule a trip, you may be asked for your appointment time instead of a pick-up time. Please be ready to tell us the address of your appointment and we can arrange the pick-up time at your home or another address.
The ATA call representative will confirm your trip information and fare while you are on the line. This helps us identify you and insure accuracy for your trip reservation.
You may also call to set up a recurring trip subscription. We welcome these multiple reservations. You will be sent to a special call center representative to create this subscription trip for you on the ATA calendar. It is a very convenient way to manage your trips.
The evening before your scheduled trip, you will receive an automated phone notification operated by ATA to confirm the pick-up time of your scheduled trip.
You may notice different driver or vehicle may pick you up for your return trip. This is a new feature of a system designed to enhance your service and ATA’s efficiency. The driver may ask to confirm your identity. Under the new system, it is likely that you will get to know other drivers working for ATA. You will see better coordination of our vehicles and our drivers to accommodate as many passengers as possible.
Remember that you must contact ATA for a ‘will call’ to set up the return trip. Our drivers will not be aware that you are ready to go home until you call 1(866) 743-3282 [RIDE ATA]. Ask the driver for ATA’s special bookmark called “IT’S MY RIDE” which has the phone number you need to use for your return trip. Keep it with you.
Once again you will receive an automated phone notification from ATA about 15 minutes before the ATA vehicle arrives for your return home.
The new Ecolane trip reservation system ihas improved efficiency and expands rides and service for riders now and in the future. If you have any questions or suggestions, call ATA Customer Service at 1(866) 282-4968.
ATA Board - Meeting Minutes 2017
Click to view or download the PDF
NOVEMBER 15, 2017 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 11-15-17
The Fall board meeting was held on November 15, 2017.
AUGUST 16, 2017 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 08-16-17
JUNE 27, 2017 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting (Special Meeting)
ATA SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES 06-27-17
MAY 17, 2017 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting (Annual Meeting)
ATA ANNUAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES 05-17-17
FEBRUARY 15, 2017 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 02-15-17
More...
ATA Board - Meeting Minutes 2016
Click to view or download the PDF
NOVEMBER 16, 2016 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 11-16-16
AUGUST 17, 2016 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 08-17-16
MAY 19, 2016 - ATA Annual Board of Directors Meeting
ATA ANNUAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES 05-19-16
FEBRUARY 17, 2016 - ATA Board of Directors Meeting
ATA BOARD MEETING MINUTES 02-17-16
Area Transportation Authority of North Central Pennsylvania
Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles
Una carrera, la Ley Color Y Origen Nacional contra la Discriminación
Procedimientos de Quejas
ATA Complaint Procedure
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
La autoridad del transporte de la zona de North Central Pennsylvania asegura el pleno cumplimiento con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmendada y sus estatutos relacionados. Ninguna persona sea excluida de participar en, negó los beneficios de sus servicios, ni quede sujeto a la discriminación por motivos de raza, color u origen nacional, según lo dispuesto en el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmendada.
Si usted cree que ha sido excluida de participar en, negado los beneficios de, o han sido sometidos a la discriminación basada en la raza, color u origen nacional bajo los servicios de transporte público de ATA, puede presentar una queja por escrito al Director Ejecutivo (CEO) dentro de 180 días siguientes a la fecha de la supuesta discriminación. Por favor envíe la queja al Departamento de Servicio al Cliente.
Customer Service Department
Area Transportation Authority of North Central Pennsylvania
44 Transportation Center
Johnsonburg, Pa 15845-2102
866-282-4968
El formulario de queja está disponible en línea en RideATA.com o por llamar al Servicio al Cliente. Si necesita ayuda para completar este formulario, por favor, póngase en contacto con Servicio al Cliente al 866-282-4968.
Todas las quejas serán investigadas por la Autoridad de manera rápida. Todas las medidas razonables se llevarán a cabo para preservar la información que es confidencial. Una respuesta escrita será expedido por el director general dentro de los 15 días siguientes a la conclusión de una investigación.
Si usted tiene una habilidad limitada en inglés nuestro Departamento de Servicio al Cliente puede organizar por servicios de traducción de idiomas mientras está en el teléfono para ayudarle con su queja.
Las quejas que alegan discriminación referente a la raza, color u origen nacional, también se pueden presentar ante la Administración Federal de Tránsito, no más tarde de 180 días después de la fecha de la supuesta discriminación, en esta dirección:
Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 2059
ATA Complaint Procedure
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
A Race, Color & National Origin Anti-Discrimination Law
Area Transportation Authority of North Central Pennsylvania
Título VI de la ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964
Declaración de Política
ATA Title VI - Statement of Policy
La autoridad del transporte de la zona de North Central Pa asegura el pleno cumplimiento con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmendada y sus estatutos relacionados. Ninguna persona sea excluida de participar en, negó los beneficios de sus servicios, ni quede sujeto a la discriminación por motivos de raza, color u origen nacional, según lo dispuesto en el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmendada.
Para obtener más información sobre el título VI Programa, visite la sección de 'Información Útil' de la Página Web de la ATA en RideATA.com o póngase en contacto con Coletta Corioso, en 814-965-2111, ext 1220.
Cualquier persona que cree que él o ella ha sido discriminado ilegalmente, puede presentar una queja formal ante la Autoridad de Transporte del Área Norte Pennsylvania central dentro de los 180 días siguientes a la fecha del supuesto incidente.
Para obtener más información con respecto a las quejas de derechos civiles, por favor, póngase en contacto con:
Departamento de Servicio al Cliente
Area Transportation Authority of North Central Pennsylvania
44 Transportation Center
Johnsonburg, Pa 1584
866-282-4968
El formulario de queja y las instrucciones sobre cómo presentar una queja también están disponibles en línea en www.rideATA.com
Si necesita ayuda, por favor, póngase en contacto con Servicio al Cliente al 866‑282‑4968.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
A Race, Color & National Origin Anti-Discrimination Law