CATA to add Titusville, Oil City route Monday

A new two-day-per-week-lifeline bus route to connect Titusville and Oil City begins Monday, according to the Crawford Area Transportation Authority (CATA).

The decision to add service connecting Crawford and Venango counties was based on several factors, according to CATA officials. A public survey was conducted and input was gathered from county commissioners and service agencies in both counties. All showed a need for a round-trip transportation option for residents of both counties.

CATA has been looking at implementing the service for some time, according to Tim Geibel, CATA general manager.

"Now, residents in Crawford and Venango counties will have consistent access to more options including medical, shopping, work, education and visiting family," Geibel said. "We are very proud to be able to provide a way for riders to expand their geographic area which will provide more options to benefit their lives."

Starting Monday, the new service will operate from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. The route will travel Route 8 with two main hubs — the Drake Mall in Titusville and Clifford Street in Oil City with a stop in Rouseville.

Once in Oil City, passengers can transfer to the Venango fixed route system to reach locations in Oil City, Franklin and Seneca. Arriving in Titusville, passengers can schedule a CATA GO van to be taken to locations in the Titusville area.

One-way fares for the the Titusville-Oil City route are $2.50 for those aged 13 to 64; $1.25 for qualified ADA riders; and free for seniors aged 65 and older, and children aged 12 and under.

At this time, riders must use cash to pay for trips or purchase one-ride tickets at the CATA office in Oil City, according to CATA. No discount tickets can be accepted.

The new lifeline service is sponsored in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Lottery and a grant from the PNC Charitable Trusts.