Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Transit tips for NFL Draft

This weekend's NFL Draft is predicted to be Pittsburgh's biggest influx of visitors. 
Pittsburgh Regional Transit offers the most sensible way to get around that mess. 
Their website has a dedicated NFL Draft transit page to offer info on schedules and routes for the weekend. 
Visit Pittsburgh also offers additional info on the weekend. 

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Taking the city bus from Erie's Amtrak station

Taking the city bus from the Amtrak Station (at Union Station) 

It is a very short walk from the station to the nearest bus stop.

Thursday, January 22, 2026

EMTA survey

 EMTA is inviting people to fill out their survey and offer feedback on service.

You can fill out the survey online, on paper, or other formats.

πŸ‘‰To do the survey ONLINE:
For Fixed Route* Service/Riders: https://forms.office.com/r/dNpusYUXRg
For LIFT Service/Riders: https://forms.office.com/r/XSG0V1k2NL
πŸ‘‰To fill out using PAPER or ALTERNATIVE formats call or email EMTA at emtamedia@ride-the-e.com or 814-459-8922 ext. 211.

The survey deadline is February 14. 2026.

*Fixed Route buses (the "regular buses") use a specific, routes and operate on a set schedule. 

More information:
The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority is inviting transit riders and community members to participate in a public survey as part of the ongoing Transit Development Plan (TDP). The survey is designed to gather feedback on current transit services and identify priorities for improvements over next 5 years.The Transit Development Plan is a comprehensive planning effort that evaluates existing transit services and outlines strategies to better meet the mobility needs of Erie City and County residents. Public input is a critical component of the process and will help guide decisions related to service reliability, routes, schedules, accessibility, and future investments.
“Community feedback is essential to ensuring our transit system reflects the needs of the people who use it every day,” said Jeremy Peterson, Executive Director of EMTA. “We encourage riders and residents to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share their experiences and ideas.”
The survey is open to current EMTA riders, occasional users, and individuals who may not currently use transit but could in the future. Responses will be reviewed alongside technical analysis and stakeholder input as the Transit Development Plan progresses. 
Additional opportunities for public involvement, including meetings, will be announced later in the planning process.



Saturday, January 3, 2026

Winter walking aids

I don't normally use a cane but I have started using one to help me in snowy conditions  These photos were taken in downtown Erie during the Thanksgiving storm of 2024. I am just telling you how it worked for me, everyone is different, and you need to judge for yourself if this makes sense.  

I found I could use the cane to reach across large mounds of snow to push the crossing signal. This mound in front of the Post Office was way to big to reach across, and would have required that I crawl across a little, but with the cane I was able to easily reach it. 


Bus shelter was cleared but getting there was a little shaky so this provided added stability. 

Helps with this situation too. 

Regarding ice, I usually use ice traction devices on my boots if the ice is terribly slippery but sometimes the cane can be enough if it is not too bad. Again, that's just me. Just be careful out there. 



Recent events cause some to take a fresh look at intercity bus service

This Holiday Travel Season, It’s Time to End the Stigma Around Intercity Buses (Streetsblog USA) "The future of travel is not about choosing one mode over another. It is about building a balanced, interconnected system where buses, trains, planes, and cars complement each other."

Are flights losing ground to bus rides? Greyhound's owner says bookings are up 17% this Thanksgiving. (MarketWatch)  The American Bus Association, a trade group, cites industry data showing bus passenger counts this Thanksgiving will be up by 12% over last year - and could be up by as much as 30% for certain routes.

Publicly owned intercity bus station offers dignity for travelers on tight budgets (Chicago Sun)
"We need affordable and accessible bus service now more than ever to maintain our social fabric."

9 Things Greyhound Bus Travel Taught a Generation About America (Modern Teen) "Greyhound rides turned highways into lessons: connection, region, struggle, and kindness, revealing America stop by stop at night."

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Pennsylvania Funding issues

from LehighValleyNews.com | By Tom Shortell

"It remains to be seen whether smaller authorities such as LANTA, Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority and Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority will receive packages similar to what SEPTA and PRT have secured. https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/transportation-news/with-no-transit-deal-looming-lanta-eyes-capital-funds-to-avoid-cuts  

Pittsburgh Regional Transit turns to Pa. fund to avoid service cuts during budget impasse
From Pennsylvania Capital Star/WESA
"The move makes it possible for the transit system to avoid a 35 percent service cut and a fare hike of 9%."   https://penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pittsburgh-regional-transit-turns-to-pa-fund-to-avoid-service-cuts-during-budget-impasse/ 

Cuts, fare hikes, canceled expansions: How failed Pa. transit funding talks could affect small systems by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA  https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/09/transit-systems-small-financial-struggle-pennsylvania-budget-capitol/ 


Friday, May 9, 2025

Active Transportation Week will take place May 12-18 in Chautauqua Co.

from WRFA Radio

'The Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development, in collaboration with the Chautauqua County Health Department and CHQ Transit are encouraging local residents to use the county’s public transportation system – CHQ Transit – or an alternative mode of transportation other than their personal motor vehicle that week.

'A “Bingo Card” has been created to inspire creative ways to get moving throughout the week.  Each day will also highlight a different “theme” with Friday, May 16, focusing on riding a bike to work or school. Bingo Cards, themes and event details will be added on the Chautauqua County Events page.,


Read more:
https://www.wrfalp.com/active-transportation-week-set-for-may-12-18/

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Greyhound policy on warrantless bus searches

From Greyhound Lines
"Greyhound Lines, Inc. does not consent to, or provide permission for, warrantless and/or suspicionless immigration enforcement activities on its buses or in its non-public property at bus stations....
"Immigration searches by CBP agents have occurred on Greyhound buses in the past and may interfere with travel schedules and passenger experiences at Greyhound's bus terminals or on buses in the State of Washington."
Read complete policy here:
https://www.greyhound.com/warrantless-bus-searches


How the ACLU organized to stop racial profiling on Greyhound buses
from American Civil Liberties Unio (ACLU)
"You can't tell someone's immigration status by how they look or sound — that's called racial profiling, and it is unconstitutional."
Read complete article here:
https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/how-the-aclu-organized-to-end-racial-profiling-on-greyhound-buses

Sunday, April 27, 2025

STORM

 Public comments: Thoughts and  suggestions on handling mega storms in future from Erie City Council meeting 12-18-2024:  Freda 11:05, Devin  1:20:24, Matt 1:23:37, Marty 1;36:01, Paige 1:40:22, Katie (1:47:24). Also, former Erie city councilman Michael Keys made recommendations immediately after Buffalo's 2022 storm.






Wednesday, January 15, 2025

EMTA feedback survey

 EMTA SEEKS FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY WITH SURVEY

Erie, PA- The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority is seeking feedback from the community to continue improving its services with a digital survey.

The results of the current survey will allow EMTA to measure the impact their efforts for improvement have had on the community. This feedback will help guide the EMTA team in the direction they need to take moving forward.

The EMTA administered surveys in 2023 and 2024 to establish a baseline in several areas, such as the public’s satisfaction with the quality of the buses, safety, usability, marketing, and general rider information.

“Public transit has an impact on everyone in the community, weather you see it or not,” says Sarah Morrison, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the EMTA. “We want to determine the influence EMTA has on the community at large, so it is important for as much participation in the survey as possible. We encourage everyone take the survey, even if you are not an EMTA rider.”

EMTA asks all community members to complete the short, anonymous survey by February 14th. A link to the survey can be found on the website or Facebook page. Visit ride-the-e.com for more information.

SURVEY HERE

Friday, January 10, 2025

Port Authorty seeks qualified bidders for the operation of a water taxi service

 News story from YourErie (JET/FOX66) "

Julie Slomski, the Port Authority’s executive director, said the authority hopes to generate enough proposals to “move forward with the taxi this summer.”

"The authority will accept proposals through Feb. 6. "

~~~~~

ANNOUNCEMENT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 

The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, 1 Holland Street, Erie, PA 16507 will receive sealed proposals for qualified bidders for the operation of a water taxi service on Presque Isle Bay. Proposals will be received until Thursday, February 6 at 4:00 PM. at the office of the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, 1 Holland Street, Erie, PA 16507, at which time and place all bids will be opened publicly. Information for the preparation of proposals may be obtained at the Port Authority Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.porterie.org. Proposal specifications may be reviewed at the Port Authority Office during regular business hours as stated above.
The submission of proposals will obligate the prospective operator not to discriminate in employment practices in accordance with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal in whole or in part and to waive irregularities and to accept or reject any and all bids. 
Julie Slomski 
Executive Director 
(1-10929271-NT-9-16)

PennDOT implements nation’s first statewide real-time public service tracker system

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that the Fixed Route Intelligent Transportation System (FRITS) has been fully implemented at 33 transit agencies across the state. FRITS provides real-time service information for passengers, and enhanced transit planning for agencies. Passengers are now able to see their bus and how far away it is from their location at nearly three dozen transit agencies spanning 41 counties across the Commonwealth. 
[...]
Riders can access real time service information including the location of the bus and predicted stop arrival times via the “myStop” smartphone app. Customers can also easily navigate between transit agencies using myStop, which is especially useful for riders in rural areas. For example, a passenger in Lemont Furnace who needs to travel to Greensburg can use myStop and view information for both Fayette Area Coordinated Transit and Westmoreland County Transit to identify which routes to use, where the bus is currently located, and easily plan their route. Additionally, because all agencies have had their routes certified by Google Maps as part of the project, customers can use Google Maps to plan transit routes as well and rest assured that route information is accurate.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

PennDOT Customer Care Center contact info

***Begin message taken from PennDOT Customer Care Center page***

 PennDOT Customer Care Center

Concerns about state-owned roadways can be made through the Customer Care Center by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD or online at https://customercare.penndot.pa.gov/ 

Submissions are not monitored outside of normal business hours, which are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1. For urgent issues, call the associated  PennDOT County Office.