Transit options in and around Erie's tri-state region

Info for transit users in Erie's tri-state region: Ashtabula, Chautauqua, Crawford, Erie, and Warren counties.

Lyft and Uber may not be an option in some locales. Taxi service will vary.

ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO

Ashtabula County Transportation System (ACTS)

425 West 24th St., Ashtabula, OH 44004

440-992-4411 or 800-445-4140

You can pick up paper copy of fixed route schedule and map info in Ashtabula at ACTS 425 West 24th St.; Ashtabula Co. Job & Family Services 2924 Donahoe; or Ashtabula's senior center (ACCOA) 4148 Main Ave.

PDF of schedule with maps  

Administered by Ashtabula County Job & Family Services

Also:

City Taxi Cab & Transfer Co. (440) 992-2156 or (440) 992-2157

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, NY

CHQ Transit (formerly CARTS) 

234 Hopkins Ave, Jamestown, NY  (716) 665-6466

chqgov.com/carts/CARTS

Facebook "Like" or follow to get updates.

Coach USA Bus, Buffalo/Fredonia/Jamestown  

(info current as of April 2024) For the most up-to-date information, please call Coach USA Erie directly at 814-459-6666. Coach USA offices close  4 p.m. M-F 

Seneca Transit

90 Ohi’yo Way Salamanca, NY 14779
(585) 968-0834 TDD : 712
senecatransit.com.

Facebook "Like" or follow to get updates

2024 Schedule   Interactive Map

"public bus service provided to all area residents. The STS provides transportation between both the Cattaraugus and Allegany territories, with many stops in between."

CRAWFORD, VENANGO & CLARION COUNTIES, PA

Crawford Area Transportation Authority (CATA)

214 Pine Street, Meadville, PA  (814) 336-5600

catabus.org 

Facebook  "Like" or follow to get updates.

MyStop mobile app  Google Transit 

New Clarion County service 

Serves Crawford and Venango counties. (Also now serving Clarion County as of July 1, 2024) Fixed Route, Shared Ride and Bikeshare

Greyhound serves Meadville in some of its service between Erie and Pittsburgh. 

Hand in Hand   118 Grant St, Franklin, PA (814) 432-4280 "Hand In Hand is one of several contracted agencies to provide transportation services to help fill gaps left in Venango County transportation, such as transportation outside the time frames or geographical areas of the public bus."

Tina's Taxi  724-992-3360 "can pick up anywhere within Crawford, Mercer, Lawrence, Venango, or Butler Counties."

GG&C Bus Company  Charter service.

ERIE PA 

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA, The "e")

127 E. 14th Street Erie, PA  (814) 452-2801

ride-the-e.com

Facebook "Like" or follow for updates

Mobile Apps. Trackers, and Rider Alerts   Google Transit

Fixed Route, Paratransit.

Greyhound Erie service 

208 E Bayfront Pkwy, Erie, PA (800) 231-2222

between Cleveland, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and points beyond. Ticket window permanently closed, pick-up & drop-off at Intermodal Center, tickets sold online.  Lobby and restrooms presently open M-F 8:30am-4:30pm. This Greyhound bus stop connects with EMTA's local service.

Amtrak Lake Shore Limited

125 W 14th St, Erie, PA  (Union Station) 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) 

Service between Chicago and New York/Boston once a day either way. Erie station has a waiting room and service window.  

Lyft and Uber available

Erie International Airport   4411 W. 12th Erie PA  (814) 833-4258

WARREN COUNTY, PA

Warren County Transit Authority (TAWC)

42 Clark St, Warren, PA (814) 723-1874 

tawcbus.com

Facebook "Like" or follow to get updates.
Google Transit 

Warren Taxi Co. (814) 723-2020

~~~~

ELSEWHERE

PA public transit options for all PA counties 

All NY counties 

 All Ohio counties

All USA

Erie's Transitway Mall 1973-1993

Erie's Transitway Mall was built in 1973, and demolished in 1993. If you'd like to know more, check out these sources:

Lou Tullio's Transitway Mall  by Debbi Lyon, Old Time Erie Feb. 14, 2014

The Complicated Saga of Downtown Erie's Transitway Mall  Ed Whitbred, B..S. Presentation at Jefferson Educational Society July 19, 2023

Transitway Mall  Erie's History and Memorabilia 

Flashback Friday – April 1993, Demolition of Transitway Mall (YourErie June 2013) 

Transitways   National Association of City Transportation Officials

NORTH EAST (Rte 16) CHANGES

UPDATE !!!!!!!  CHECK YOUR SCHEDULE FOR MOST CURRENT ROUTE AND SCHEDULE 

~Bus Blog Erie November 25, 2024

Dated material, only kept posted for reference about evolution of this particular route. Current EMTA route info here   https://ride-the-e.com/routes-2/ 

RT 16 BUS SCHEDULE CHANGES

🚌🍇🚌🍇🚌🍇🚌🍇

Route 16 North East bus schedule changed on November 18, 2023.

TIMES AFFECTED 

Most trip times are affected, so if you use the service you'll definitely want to check it out (see link below)

TRIP INTO ERIE STREAMLINED 

The good news for people on the trip heading toward Erie, is that the won't go to Winland Foods. In other words: trip to Erie starts from Janet Miller Building, goes *straight* on 89 then straight over Rte 20 and into Erie. 

TRIP INTO NORTH EAST

On the trip TO North East the bus *will* still go to Winland Foods 

WHAT'S UP WITH SERVICE TO NORTH EAST 

The bus company actually is committed to service to the North East area, but I think they have been a little wobbly since the campus left. The Winland rigamarole really confused some riders, and I think EMTA could have done a better job explaining how it worked. Kudos to them for making an attempt to try to make a workplace-oriented schedule though.

WALMART: NO MORE LONG STOPS

Re WalMart: Looks like no more 20 minute waits at WalMart Harborcreek.

LINKS

New schedule here https://ride-the-e.com/routes-2/

MyStop app for real time tracker and alerts

Upcoming Meetings & Events ~ March 2023

Mar 9 - America Walks webinar:: Walking, Biking, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: What You and Your Community Need to Know 02:00 PM  Registration "Join the partners of the Intersections Initiative (America Walks, the League of American Bicyclists, and Safe Routes Partnership) to learn about new federal programs for walking and biking infrastructure, the upcoming opportunities you need to know about, and the initial steps you can take to prepare your community to apply for funding." 

March 20 - EMTA Recruitment event  10am -2pm Northwest PA CareerLink (1647 Sassafrass St, Erie

March 25 - Rad Swap Meet 11am - 4pm Basement Transmissions 145 W 11th St., Bikes, bike parts, riding gear, etc.  Erie. Pre-Swap Ride leaves Griswold Park at 9am  

Mar 27 - EMTA Monthly Board Meeting 4pm via Zoom "Attendees are required to register for the Board Meeting no later than the Thursday prior before 12:00 pm for a private link to the Zoom meeting. Attendees must email their name, email, and phone number to tcroll@ride-the-e.com for access to the meeting. Public comments can be emailed to tcroll@ride-the-e.com by the Friday prior to the meeting date. Public Comments will be recorded in the Minutes. The public is now allowed address comments during the ‘Public Comment’ section at the beginning of the meeting. We will notify the public once in person meetings are allowed."

Apr 5 - National Walking Day 

Apr 22 - Earth Day 

~~~~~

City of Erie Bikeway Survey  

Click/tap here for Erie MPO Organization meeting schedule 

A month's worth of EMTA email rider alerts

I have been trying out the EMTA email rider alerts that you can sign up for in MyStop. 

The alerts are the same as those posted on the MyStop site, except they come to your email.

There is a text option but it was not working in the three times I signed up. I'm not sure what the problem is, but if it is available, EMTA needs to activate it, since a lot of riders would find it more useful than the emails.

I tried it out in three different email accounts. The screenshot below was from an account I signed up for January 26, 2023, and I stopped it at February 26. As far as I can I received them all, though it seemed like there was a curious gap for a couple weeks, maybe everything was running smoothly. 

Delivery issues

Alerts coming to each of the three email accounts had delivery issues. Outlook and Gmail sometimes delivered the alerts to another file. Yahoo Mail is still posting every single alert at 12:00 AM. ... every single one. None of them ended up in Spam so far. Again, having the text alert option might eliminate this goofiness.

Another advantage to alerts delivered to your device

Having an alert delivered to your device gives you a record of an issue that might have caused you a problem with getting somewhere. Your employer, instructor, doctor, etc., might accept your excuse a little more readily if you show them the alert that made you late. The alerts on the MyStop page disappear as soon as they are over, but you have the alert as a record. 

Click here for instructions on how to sign up for alerts

Click to enlarge  

Upcoming meetings & events Feb 2023

Feb 15 - Public meeting to review/comment on draft Greengarden Bikeway Project  5:30 p.m. at Erie City Hall in the City Council chambers. : "City of Erie and its consultant team from Whitman, Requardt and Associates (WRA) will host a public meeting to review the draft Greengarden Boulevard Bikeway Project and receive comments from the public. Streamed live thru City of Erie Facebook page Info: https://www.activeerie.com/bikeway/ 

Feb 21 - Sidewalks for Summit Township Summit Township Supervisors hereby gives notice of intent to amend Ordinance #2019-04, Sidewalks, at the Regular Business meeting on February 21, 2023, at 4:30 pm. The proposed amendment revises requirements for sidewalks and obligations for property owners. Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, 1230 Townhall Rd, Erie, PA 16509. A complete copy of the proposed Ordinance may be examined, during regular business hours (8 am – 4 pm), Monday through Friday.Lisa A. Vallimont, Secretary

Feb 26 - BikeErie event: We Love Bikes at Julius 1607 State Erie PA 5pm "Join us for an evening of food, socializing, and a panel discussion on the state of biking in Erie at Julius, formerly the Erie Maennerchor club. Free for members, $10 for non-members, includes food. Raffles and a cash bar!"

Feb 27 - EMTA Monthly Board meeting 4:00 pm via Zoom "Attendees are required to register for the Board Meeting no later than the Thursday prior before 12:00 pm for a private link to the Zoom meeting. Attendees must email their name, email, and phone number to tcroll@ride-the-e.com for access to the meeting. Public comments can be emailed to tcroll@ride-the-e.com by the Friday prior to the meeting date. Public Comments will be recorded in the Minutes. The public is now allowed address comments during the ‘Public Comment’ section at the beginning of the meeting. We will notify the public once in person meetings are allowed."

Erie MPO Organization Quarterly Hybrid Meeting 2023 Schedule 

Image by pch.vector on Freepik

January 2023 events

January 16 - Erie News Now reporter Isley Gooden visited the Freedom Rides Museum in Alabama that commemorates the 1961 Freedom Rides to desegregate intercity buses and depots in the South. .
Airs Monday January 16 at 7:30pm on WICU

January 19 - THE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED OF ERIE COUNTY will be hosted via Zoom on January 19th at 12:30PM. Anyone interested in participating can request an invite and an agenda by emailing Chris at cgerhart@ride-the-e.com Agenda can be found at ED-Agenda-Jan-2023-002.pdf (ride-the-e.com)

January 23 - The EMTA Board regular meetings at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. All meetings are open to the general public.
Please email tcroll@ride-the-e.com to request the meeting link.
Board meeting agendas can be found at https://ride-the-e.com/board-meeting-minutes-agendas/

Photo: Public domain

Accessibility of Waterworks area at Presque Isle

The Waterworks area is the most accessible area of Presque Isle.

It doesn't really have a lot to do with bus service, but I figured since this is a stop used by the Presque Isle Express, I would share some basic information about accessibility. I will follow up with more specific information especially about the accessible beach area and the restrooms, but I wanted to at least get this started. Comments encouraged and appreciated. 

The Waterworks area has a network of paved paths that allow you to move around most of the area without leaving a paved surface. Within the area are a multi-purpose trail, a bayside dock, two sets of accessible restrooms and an accessible porta-john, an accessible  lakeside beach deck with a wide ramp, floating dock on a pond, smooth path to playground area and accessible picnic areas. 

Click photos to enlarge

Map is from Google maps, I did add some things to it specific to this article. 

CROSSWALK - If you require a smooth surface at all times, ask the bus driver to leave you off at the crosswalk. Although the area is well-paved, this is the only place where the road connects to the paths.  The surrounding area is packed dirt and grass, so if you don't require a flat surface you can still get around, but this is the spot for "smooth landing."

Crosswalk on bay side

Crosswalk looking toward lake side 

RESTROOMS - All restrooms are accessible. The Rotary Pavilion restroom area path is smooth. In addition to a men's and women's room, it also has a single, straight-entrance restroom in the middle. Also water fountains at two heights. The other rest area is in an unpaved parking area on the bayside, and. the surface of the parking area there is packed dirt and small stones. There was an accessible porta-john by Cabin #1, but I don't know if it is removed in off-seasons.

Restrooms in Rotary Pavilion area

MULTI-PURPOSE TRAIL is an ADA accessible 13+ mile loop around the park, and is used by people using mobility devices as well as hikers, runners, cyclists, skateboards and others. Generally people are respectful of each other; etiquette tip: stay on the right side and leave room on the left for oncoming and people wanting to pass. Although the map calls it a bike trail and there are some cyclists who would like a dedicated trail, this one is called multi-purpose and it is for all manner of moving around.

Multi-Purpose Trail used by everyone

FLOATING DOCK extends into the eastern pond. There is a smooth bridge connecting it to the dock, and a wide deck.with benches. Fishing is allowed from the floating dock. Note: I don't know why the bridge leading to the dock was crooked on this visit. But it is still wide enough to accommodate anyone who wanted to travel on it.

LAKESIDE BEACH DECK AREA - There is a large accessible deck on Beach 7. There is a wide ramp area that leads to the deck. If you travel by private vehicle, there are about six spaces reserved on either side of the entrance to the deck. 

In years past there has been a mat leading from the deck to the water's edge, but it was gone this year. I called the park office about the mat, and they said although it was removed from Beach 7, there are mats on Beaches 8 and 11. I don't know how long these are left in place, and would recommend checking ahead ( 814-833-7424 ) if you plan to use them.

PLAYGROUND AREA PATH Playground itself has sandy floor but there is a smooth pank path and bench so one can watch and supervise. 

PICNIC AREAS - The cabins #2 and #3 and pavilion are accessible inside but only open to parties who have reserved them. Cabin area path is an unpaved road. Cookhouse shelter (bayside)  is often reserved but when it isn't, people who want to eat or take a rest will sit down at the tables. Cookhouse shelter is paved and has wide aisles but sometimes tables block the way from the path. Individual tables are up for grabs but usually on the grass. 

WHEELCHAIR RENTALS?  unfortunately the bike rental business does not rent mobility devices like beach wheelchairs or even the garden variety mobility devices. I guess they have their reasons, but it seems like an odd omission since they rent all kinds of other wheelie things. Presque Isle Partnership is working on making beach wheelchairs available though... check it out  UPDATE: As of 2024 Beach wheelchairs  available to borrow for free at Beach 8 and Public Safety Building (ranger station.)

BUS STOP INBOUND - The inbound bus (heading back into town)  is located a little to the east of the paved crosswalk. The berm is pretty solid, but if you need to stay on a solid surface, I guess stay on the outbound crosswalk and wave the driver down? Perhaps this could be addressed by drivers and those who would be affected by an unpaved surface. 

Surface at inbound bus stop is packed dirt 

Presque Isle Park Office  814-833-7424

Other areas on Park:

Beach 8 visit July 2024 shows recent accessibility features and some other cool stuff.  

Beach 11: Quick look at Accessibility  posted on Facebook June 2023. I checked this out because EMTA Presque Isle Express was running a bus shuttle to the Wednesday concerts at this beach. 

Accessibility at Waterworks area at Presque Isle July 31, 2022 A couple years ago wrote about accessibility at the Waterworks/Cookhouse/Beach 7 area a couple years ago, if you want that sort of into:

More Presque Isle info:

Presque Isle  info from DCNR

Accessible Erie: Presque Isle State Parke from Accessible Erie A project of Voices for Independence

Park and accessibility information    

Mobi-Mats - Presque Isle Partnership 

Presque Isle Partnership Projects (Past and Present) 

Comments sent to EMTA board about Greyhound closing and restroom access

I just sent this comment to the EMTA board to be read at their monthly meeting. EMTA owns the Intermodal Center that housed the Greyhound station:


Hi I know the Greyhound issue is being addressed but i want to implore you to take some sort of action yesterday regarding bathroom issues
Yesterday as I was taking photos in that area a middle aged man arrived to catch his bus to NYC. His face expressed alarm when he saw that it was closed. I told him he could accompany me to the library and I would show him the restroom area. He was very grateful.
There are apparently some instances that are a little more problematic. I will spare the details.
️Immediately there should be noticeable signs directing persons to the library next door.
Also well-maintained porta john or two is absolutely called for.
These are not controversial measures, and could have and should have been enacted
This is in the interest of EMTA, Greyhound customers, the City of Erie and all other tenants of the building. Please act immediately.
Thank you.
Deb Spilko

Erie Greyhound station update

The Greyhound station is still closed, though still served by Greyhound buses.. At least to the best of my knowledge, Greyhound has not communicated their plans in Erie, or if they have any plans to speak of.  

Efforts to address situation

At June EMTA board meeting Dave Robinson EMTA (Community & Governmental Relations) said he was working on the issue with with City Council President Liz Allen, and City Councilwoman Jasmine Flores, city council liaison to EMTA.

Haven't heard if Visit Erie has been involved, but they should be. Not a good first experience for visitors or newcomers. 

Change in status

The Greyhound site now describes the Erie stop as a "Curbside stop" and carries the message "Effective May 1, 2022 this location will no longer have local staff available. If you need to purchase a ticket via Credit Card or Cash, go to Greyhound.com" Here is the Greyhound Erie PA page. The page  states that the stop is open 24 hours a day, which is a tad misleading. 

Shelter, restrooms and safety

Several local people have suggested at least at this point the need for porta john and some sort of shelter for passengers waiting for buses. This was also discussed at last month's EMTA board meeting.

Also, it seems to me that if Greyhound has no intention of returning to the Intermodal Center, it would be worth considering moving the stop elsewhere. As pleasant as a bayside stop is in the warm weather, that will soon change. Also there might be other locales that could provide shelter, restrooms and safety ... all of which are problematic at the present location. 

Customers also need to know how to buy tickets without having to go online. I see the info sheet inside the Intermodal door says you can buy tickets at: CVS, Family Dollar and Walmart (local stores) and others that are not available locally are 7-Eleven, Ace Cash Express, and Casey's. I also saw cash pay info on their website, but it flashed so quickly (literally a fraction of a second) that I had to video it to get a screenshot (see below). The cash pay information flashed after I clicked on "Buy Tickets" After some very specific searches I did find the info online here ... dated March 3 of his year, so I guess this move away from staffed locations goes beyond our local situation. 

Backgrounder:

Greyhound bus ticket office closed in Erie; buses are still running

Greyhound's Erie PA page 

Photos of building are from June 23, 2022 and July 5, 2022. Greyhound website screenshots from June 28, 2022. Click to enlarge

Editing notes:

Slightly edited for clarity 7/23/2022

CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

Current waiting area. Two benches, some rain protection, pay phone removed long ago. 

Looking through window, east wall, signs still up

Looking through the locked doors from inside the west side of the building. 

Information from website could be confusing. "Open 24 hours"?

Notice on Greyhound website 

Company website offers where to buy tickets with CASH, but it literally flashes so fast (literally a fraction of a second) I had to video it to be able to get a screenshot.

Buses still arrive and depart but station now considered "curbside" 

I am assuming it was EMTA who had to post these notices advising Greyhound's confused customers

One letter sized notice on back door. Tinted glass makes it hard to see, easy to miss 

Not much of a welcome. 

EMTA Board now posting agendas and minutes

EMTA Board meetings and agendas are now posted on the EMTA website. Click on About Us>Board Agendas & Meetings.

~~~~~~

Below is the information for the public about speaking and attending board meetings, . 

Although these are open to the public, a meeting was hacked a few months ago, so security was tightened around attending and participating. Perhaps something a little more accessible can be worked out in the future.

From EMTA website current 2/18/2022:

 

2022 BOARD MEETINGS

The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority will hold their regular meetings during 2022 beginning at 4:00 p.m via Zoom.

Due to COVID-19 and social distancing initiatives implemented by Governor Tom Wolf, Board Meetings are being held virtually via Zoom on the dates below since April 2020. Zoom link is in correspondence with the date.

Attendees are required to register for the Board Meeting no later than the Thursday prior before 12:00 pm for a private link to the Zoom meeting. Attendees must email their name, email, and phone number to emtamedia@ride-the-e.com for access to the meeting.

Public comments can be emailed to emtamedia@ride-the-e.com by the Friday prior to the meeting date. Public Comments will be recorded in the Minutes. The public is now allowed address comments during the ‘Public Comment’ section at the beginning of the meeting. We will notify the public once in person meetings are allowed.

• January 24
• February 28
• March 28
• April 25
• May 23
• June 27
• July 25
• August 15
• September 26
• October 24
• November 28
• December 12

All such meetings are open to the public.  A sign interpreter will be provided for persons with hearing impairments upon a two-week notice to EMTA.

Mall bus stop at JC Penney, not Boscov's, starting July 17

Starting Saturday July 17, JC Penney will be the only bus stop at Millcreek Mall. 

Buses will no longer stop at Boscov's.

This was apparently Boscov's decision, not EMTA's. 

The stop will have a marker. 

ALSO: EMTA to extend Saturday service 7/17.

Updates - May 6, 2021

Today I spoke with Ed Torres, Director of Fixed-Route Operations at EMTA . I asked him for updates, and also clarifications of issues.

LAID-OFF DRIVERS. Are they being called back? Ed said "nothing is set in stone but once we need them we'll be calling people back." They won't know specifics till after drivers take their scheduled vacations, which are coming up soon. They may also need drivers for the school year

WILL SUNDAY SERVICE RETURN? Ed said even before the pandemic that ridership was low. Sounds like this remains up in the air for now.

ROUTES

• Presque Isle Express is returning
• Route Upgrades coming around June 12. Routes 25/30 and 21/28 will each have an additional trip added on Saturday.

EMTA app allows you to purchase tickets on phone

The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority is partnering with the Token Transit App, an app that allows you to purchase bus passes on your phone before you board!

Passengers will be able to purchase single ride, transfers, reduced fare, day passes, 5-Ride passes, 20-ride passes, and VIP- 31 Day passes through the app with their credit or debit card. Riders can store passes on the app the future use. When you are ready to ride, tap your pass to activate. As you board the bus, show the driver your digital ticket and scan the Token Transit validator and you are all set!

Token Transit allows a “fare capping” feature as well. Fare-capping is a pay-as-you-go system that guarantees riders will never pay more than the lowest authorized fare for any period of travel. This is based on single ride and day passes purchased through the app. Once a rider has purchased $52.00 in single ride or day passes, the app will automatically grant the rider free rides for the rest of the month ($52.00 is the highest cash valued pass for 31 days unlimited rides).

Info: ride-the-e.com or www.tokentransit.com

Source: EMTA press release By Erica Nowak| April 9th, 2021|

EMTA,apps,technology,fares

EMTA to get $11.6 million from American Rescue Plan

From  "Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority getting $11.6 million from American Rescue Plan"  Kevin Flowers Erie Times-News April 2, 2021: [

[EMTA exceutive director Jeremy] Peterson said EMTA must now develop "a transparent plan" for the American Rescue Plan money.
EMTA officials are studying the grant requirements and asking federal officials about whether there are any restrictions, Peterson said.
[...]
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, addressing the American Rescue Plan funding, said in a statement that "transportation workers are serving on the front lines of this pandemic: delivering the vaccine, getting people to essential jobs and providing goods and services to people who need them.
"The critical American Rescue Plan funding we are announcing today will help prevent service cuts, protect employees from layoffs, keep riders and workers safe and strengthen our economy," Buttigieg said.
Dave Robinson, EMTA's board chairman, called the funding “existential” for EMTA and other transit agencies across the country.
“Everybody’s lost ridership and it’s going to take a while to bring that back,” Robinson said. “And that’s not a thing that you can just turn on and off. This money is going to help keep us afloat.”

EMTA,COVID-19,funding

Some EMTA schedule and route changes coming in February

 From Ed Torres, Director of Fixed Route Operations at EMTA:

Millcreek Mall 1 & 3 changes

There is some confusion about what is going on with the weekday changes of Routes 1 and 3. I was one of those confused people.

I had two people patiently explain the changes to me, and I couldn't quite follow it. I looked over the new schedule and still was not clear on what was going on. So when Ed Torres said it's basically like the old Route 9, I dug out an old 2005 schedule and checked out the old Route 9 schedule.

It shows that Route 9 was basically alternating Peach and Cherry, and they marked each trip with a P or a C (I don't know what the other letter stood for, so let's not get sidetracked).

So, back in the present, it looks like for Route 3, one trip goes via Peach, next trip Cherry, next trip Peach, next trip Cherry... etc. Also, the trip between Mall and Summit looks like it's pretty much the same.

As for Saturdays...If you need to make the trip on Saturday, consult both the 1 and the 3 to find out what is going on with that. There is a separate schedule for Route 1 service (It is for Saturday only).

I like the old  format better for this kind of schedule, and I'm going to ask Ed to consider using it if they plan on keeping this alternating Peach and Cherry thing going for any length of time. I think that is easier to follow that than having Cherry in red ink, which is going to be lost on the paper schedules since they print those in black and white.

Anyway, I hope this is the correct understanding of what is going on with the 1 & 3 changes. If incorrect, please let me know and I will clear it up.

New Route 3 schedule  

New Route 1 schedule 

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGES 

Old Route 9 schedule (from 2005) shows how the trips alternate between Peach and Cherry

Current (3/28/2020) Route 3 schedule. Cherry Street is shown in red

Current (8/28/2020) Route 1.

North East route unchanged at least through 2019-2020 school year

After the sudden announcement of the closure of Mercyhurst’sNorth East campus, there was some question about the North East route.

According to Ed Torres at EMTA, the route will remain unchanged through at least June 2020.

It should be noted that Mercyhurst has stated that the North East campus will stay open until June 2021, and that the police academy will remain in North East.
~~~

The North East bus (Route 16) presently runs between Erie and North East several times a day during the week, and has a very basic schedule on Saturday.

It leaves from downtown Erie and stops in front of the Mercyhurst main campus, then heads over Buffalo Road/US Route 20, going through Wesleyville and Harborcreek before it arrives in the borough of North East.

In North East it heads east on US Route 20, turns north on PA 89, stops at Mercyhurst North East (MNE) bookstore, turns south on PA-89, and terminates at the Janet Miller Building (police academy) which is right by I-90. The bus then turns around and does the same route in reverse.

Click to enlarge

Applications for EMTA board being taken now

Stating a problematic history, Mayor Joe Schember and County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper have asked for and received the resignations of all EMTA board members. They are hoping that with all new board members they will able to have a fresh start.
They are taking applications until September 17, 2018.

• To apply for city appointment: e-mail  resume and qualifications to Mayor Joe Schember at jschember@erie.pa.us or to Renee Lamis, Schember’s chief of staff, at rlamis@erie.pa.us.
• County appointment: e-mail County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper at countyexecutive@eriecountypa.gov, or Kristin Bowers, the county’s public information officer, at kbowers@eriecountypa.gov.

BACKGROUND
Schember, Dahlkemper move forward with plans to remake EMTA board (GoErie) 
Dahlkemper and Schember wipe out board members of EMTA following disastrous meeting  (YourErie)