Capital Area Transit board of directors are looking at ways to save money in support of Act 89. Act 89 provides for the waving of local match funding agreements for up to five years if transit systems reduce annual expenses.
CAT’s overall operating budget is just over $20 million.
CAT GM, Bill Jones says, “We have more demand for service than we have money so how can we reorganize, reallocate our resources to make the service better?”
Jones suggests consolidating Harrisburg, Dauphin and Cumberland Counties' transit system with surrounding agencies.
Jones says, "What makes sense to work together? What is the best interest of the people, they live regionally, money is always tight and we have to make sure we're being good stewards of the public's money."
According to a PennDOT study based off of CATS 2012 Budget, a consolidation could mean $5 million is savings for taxpayers by reducing annual expenses such as maintenance and fuel costs.
Erin Waters-Trasatt is a PennDOT spokeswoman. She says, "If you're consolidating services that are similar, commuting patterns have changed, people are crossing county lines. Those savings that wouldn't be spent on redundant services would be reinvested back into the services."
CAT Managers agree. Plus, there's a growing number of riders to serve. Jones says ridership is approaching 3 million riders a year. This fluctuates in different areas of CATS 1000 square mile radius.
Jones says, "If the transit systems work together, one- are there ways to save money through economies of scale, but also two- start looking at provision of service, is there ways to make routes that connect the areas?
PennDOT is undergoing its consolidation study. They will then alert local elected officials and transit authorities about what money they could save. A date to merge has not been set.
