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How to Ride ATA

ATA Ride Guide

Need a Ride?

Getting a ride with ATA is as easy as dialing your phone! ATA has many services designed to meet transportation needs throughout the area and there may be one for you. Read this guide and you will become acquainted with information that will help you reach your destination: Wherever Life Takes You!

ATA Welcome’s You

ATA, the Area Transportation Authority provides public transportation to the people living in the six county area of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter.  In addition, Clarion, PA is also served by twofixed route services.  ATA has different types of programs and discounts for all types of riders. All of ATA’s vehicles are wheelchair accessible, making public transportation truly a mobility option for everyone.   

ATA hopes that you will find this guide helpful and able to answer all of your questions.  If you have still have questions, or require any additional assistance please call the free Customer Service phone line 1-866-ATA4YOU or 1-866-282-4968. ATA’s Customer Service Representatives will get you an answer to all of your questions.

ATA Is Committed To Help You

ATA is here to help you get to where you need to go and the people that work at ATA are committed to serving the public. They have a Mission and a Vision for public transportation and have adopted Values to work by.

What Are The ATA Mission, Vision and Values?

Mission: It is the mission of the Area Transportation Authority to provide safe, convenient and affordable transportation to the residents of North Central Pennsylvania.

Vision:People choose ATA as their premier transportation provider.

Values: -Safety first in all decisions and actions-Reliability in carrying out responsibilities-Professionalism in all work and work related activities-Stewardship of public funds-Truthfulness in words and actions-Fairness in relationships with customers and coworkers-Respect for the individual-Kindness towards customers and coworkers-Loyalty to the ATA mission, its employees and customers

At ATA you are more than just a number---YOU are our customer!

ATA IS FOR EVERYONE

Who can ride ATA?

Anyone that lives or is visiting in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter counties can ride ATA. ATA has special rates for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and children under 12.  In fact, ATA has special programs for many people. Read about them in this brochure, surf ATA’s website www.RideATA.com or call ATA Customer Service and see if you qualify for one.  Even if you do not qualify for a program you can still ride ATA by simply paying the fare.  Remember, anyone can ride ATA! What can be easier? It’s for you and it’s affordable!

What types of services does ATA have?

Fixed RouteA bus on a fixed time and stop schedule that do not require a ride reservation.  You can wait at a designated bus stop or flag a bus over that you wish to ride.  The fare on this service is a set rate.  The fare is the same for everyone and discounts do not apply.

Fixed Route With DeviationA bus on a fixed schedule that can travel off route up to ¼ mile, to accommodate passengers.  Ride reservations are appreciated on this route.  The fare on this route will vary from town to town.  If you are eligible for a discount they will apply on this service.

Call A Bus Service (CAB):  A bus that will pick you up at your home and take you to your destination.  Ride reservations are appreciated on this route.  The fare on this route will vary from town to town.  If you are eligible for a discount they will apply on this service.

County Wide Service (CWS):    A specialized service that will pick you up at your home and will take you to any other destination within the county.  The fare on this route will vary from town to town.  If you are eligible for a discount they will apply on this service.  ATA has this service in Jefferson, Clearfield, Elk, and McKean Counties.

What programs does ATA have?

ATA has several different programs that may suit the needs of your transportation.  Below you will find the different types of programs and descriptions of each.

Share Ride for Senior Citizens Program-Any person that is 65 years of age or older can receive an 85% discount on ATA’s shared-ride services. Fixed route services are free during for anyone over 65. You must have a prior day reservation to receive the discounted rate. 

Shared Ride for Persons with Disability Program-Any person with a disability that is between the ages of 18 and 64 can receive an 85% discount on existing routes.  Fixed Routes are excluded because they are already at a discounted rate.  You must have a prior day reservation to receive the discounted rate. 

Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP)-Any person who is Medical Assistance eligible, who needs transportation to medical or medical related appointments (such as doctor, dentist, pharmacy, etc.) can ride for free.

Free Fare Program for Senior Citizens- Any person who is 65 years of age or older, after having been enrolled in the program, can ride fixed routes free of charge.

Van Pool Program (Advantage) The ATA van pool program, called Advantage is sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The service is geared toward commuters or others that have a frequent need to travel to and from common destinations at or near the same time. The program is intended to help ‘fill in the gaps” where ATA does not have traditional forms of transportation service available.

If you feel you would qualify for any of these programs, please contact our toll free customer service line at 1-866 ATA-4YOU (1-866-282-4968).

Riding ATA is Simple!

When you decide you want to begin to ride ATA please call our toll free Customer Service Representatives at 1-866-ATA-4YOU (1-866-282-4968).  ATA requires that you be registered before riding the bus for the first time if you want to participate in any of the programs it offers.  The Customer Service Representative will ask you if you ever rode ATA before and check to see if you are registered?  If you are not registered the Customer Service representative will begin the registration process.  It will only take a few minutes, so please be patient, the information ATA obtains about you will help better serve your transportation needs. 

Once you have been registered, you are ready to ride ATA.  Advanced reservations would be helpful to better serve your needs, but are not required.  However, if you are eligible for a discounted fare, we require prior day reservation in order for you to receive the discount. While discounted fares do require a prior day reservation, you may call up to two weeks in advance to schedule your ride.

Please allow ATA some flexibility with regards to your pick up time.  Please be ready to board the bus 15 minutes prior to your scheduled pick up time.  If you are still waiting 10 minutes after your pick up time please call us and let us know so ATA can determine the reason for the delay and give you a revised pick up time if necessary.

If you do not wish to participate in any of the reduced or free fare programs or do not qualify for them you may book your ride without registering with Customer Service by calling directly into the ATA Call Center and booking a reservation with one of ATA’s Call Taker/Reservationists. Simply phone 1-866-RIDE-ATA and you will receive the help you need to get to where you want to go. It’s that simple! Even if you are riding one of ATA’s fixed routes for the first time and you know your stop and time by calling in our Call Center staff will alert the driver to look out for you. It’s just another way ATA can help to make your ride a pleasant experience.

What if I need assistance?

If you require assistance to safely board or exit the vehicle an escort or a personal care attendant may qualify to ride with you for free.  If you want someone just to come along with you as a companion, they must pay the fare for the trip.  ATA does not provide escorts or Personal Care Attendants (PCA).

Certified guide and service animals may travel with you on the public transportation vehicle.

If you do have special travel needs or require the assistance of an escort or PCA, please inform the ATA at the time you make your ride reservation.

Can I purchase prepaid bus passes?

Riders can purchase pre paid bus passes and are encouraged to do so.  It is a convenient and easy way to pay for your transportation.  When riding ATA you need to have the exact fare for the fare box.  Drivers do not carry change and are not able to give you change, therefore bus passes would be a great way to pay. If you are interested in purchasing bus passes contact the Call Center and ask them the fare rate for the trip you will be taking.  The Call Center will then transfer you to a person who will assist you in your purchase.  You will be asked to send the amount of the fare in the mail to the ATA.  Once ATA has received the payment, the pre paid bus passes will be mailed to you. 

Things to remember when considering purchasing bus passes are; they never expire, and if you move or are unable to ride ATA any longer, the bus passes may be returned for a full refund.

When is the ATA Customer Service Office open?

For information about ATA programs and services the toll free Customer Service line (1-866-ATA4YOU or 1-866-282-4968) is open Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm except for the Customer Service Center Holidays listed below.

When is the ATA Call Center Open?

To make a ride reservation to ride once you have been enrolled at ATA the toll free Call Center line is open Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00am to 4:30 pm except for the Call Center Holidays listed below.

Holidays

ATA offices are closed for several holidays during the year. Specific offices will not be open on the holidays listed below.  Please try to keep these dates in mind when scheduling (Call Center) your transportation or requesting information (Customer Service Center) about ATA’s services or programs!

Call Center, Customer Service Center & ATA Bus Service (no transportation on these days)

  • New Years Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

When can I schedule a ride?

You may schedule a ride up to two (2) weeks prior to your trip.  The earlier you schedule your trip the better chance you will have of receiving a ride at the time you want it.  If you are enrolled in the either the Shared Ride for Senior Citizen or Persons With Disabilities programs you must call at least a prior day in order to receive the discounted fare.  When making your trip request please have the exact address of your pick up and drop off locations.  Also please have an estimated time that you will need picked back up from your destination.  We understand that sometimes it is difficult to determine what time you will be finished but your best estimate will go a long way in helping us keep on time with your schedule.  Please keep in mind that we are servicing a large area and many people therefore, you may be asked to go at an earlier time, or get picked up later in order to get you to your destination.  We will do our best to try to accommodate you and the time you request.

What If I Reserve A Ride And Do Not Take It?

ATA refers to someone that makes a ride reservation and then does not cancel it as a No Show. You are able to avoid becoming a No Show by informing the ATA in advance of the scheduled trip by following the ATA’s trip cancellation procedures.  If you do not cancel properly you will be charged the full fare for the trip just the same as though you had rode. ATA’s No Show policy, as well as other important policies and rules are available to you by calling ATA Customer Service at 1-866-ATA-4YOU or 1-866-282-4968.

Wheelchairs and Other Mobility Devices.

The ADA defines a wheelchair as “a mobility aid belonging to any class of three- or more-wheeled devices, usable indoors, designed or modified for and used by individuals with mobility impairments, whether operated manually or powered.”

ATA will accommodate any mobility device as long as the combined weight is within the actual dimensions and design load of the vehicle.

ATA may decline to carry a wheelchair/occupant if the combined weight exceeds that of the lift specifications or if carriage of the wheelchair is demonstrated to be inconsistent with legitimate safety requirements.

In addition to wheelchairs, passengers may utilize other mobility devices such as canes or walkers on ATA vehicles.

Transit Identification Cards (IDs)

ATA issues photo IDs to our passengers who have attained the age of 65 or are enrolled in the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) program. There is no charge for the first card.  A fee of $10 is charged for a replacement card. These transit IDs are proof that you are enrolled in a discounted fare program.  To receive an ID for the PwD program you must be enrolled in the program before an ID will be issued.  To receive an ID for the senior citizen programs you will need to fill out a short application and provide ATA one form of acceptable identification. 

Anyone who is under the age of 65 and not on the PwD program will need two forms of acceptable ID and the cost is $10 for the first card and $20 for a replacement card.  The acceptable IDs are:

  1. Drivers licenses from any state valid or expired
  2. PA Photo ID card
  3. Birth Certificate (must have file number)
  4. Baptismal Certificate (Church name and address)
  5. Armed Forces Discharge/Separation Papers
  6. Passport/Naturalization Papers
  7. U.S. Social Security Administration statement of age
  8. Veteran’s Universal Access Identification Card
  9. Resident Alien Card

Photo IDs can be issued at any of ATA’s offices which are located in Johnsonburg, Dubois, and Bradford but you need to schedule an appointment at a time convenient for you and the ATA. IDs are also issued frequently at Senior Centers, and other sponsored events such as Senior Expositions and Job Fairs. 

Change of phone number or address

If you change your phone number or address it is crucial that you contact ATA as soon as possible to let us know.  Any information change is helpful in providing adequate and reliable transportation for you.