CONNECTIONS

A Guide to Public Transportation in the Metro-Harrisburg Region and Beyond

1. Introduction

TCRPC Home

CONNECTIONS Home

1. Introduction

2. Connections

3. Capital Area Transit

4. Paratransit/Handicap

5. Reg/Ntl Pub Transit

6. PA Public Transit

7. Other Options

8. Why Transit?

9. Glossary

10. Acronyms & Abrev.

11. Appendix

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• HATS
• TCRPC
• Transit Providers / Services:
  • South Central PA Fixed Route Transit Providers
  • Area Carpool Programs
  • Paratransit Senior & Disabled Transportation Services
  • Intercity Bus Service
  • Intercity Rail Passenger Information
  • Airport Services
  • Taxicabs
  • Limousine & Van Services
  • Charter Bus Services
  • Local Planning Organizations
  • State of Pennsylvania Transit Agencies
  • Federal Transit Agencies
  • Other Orgs
• Funding Transit in the Harrisburg Area

CONNECTIONS report

• Cover Pages

• Back Pages

Connections

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1. INTRODUCTION

HATS

HATS is a federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).  The HATS region encompasses the three counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry and by virtue of their location within the Harrisburg urbanized area, Palmyra Borough and North Londonderry and South Londonderry Townships in Lebanon County.

TCRPC

The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) serves as the lead-planning agency for HATS.  TCRPC staff works closely with the HATS Committees to advise on regional policy and capital funding issues such as transportation, the environment, and land use, in the Harrisburg area.

TCRPC, in cooperation with the local transit providers, maintains this website to inform residents and employees in the Harrisburg region of their various transit options.  A Connections Guidebook is available to provide a shorter guide to public transit in the region.  This report is intended for the general public, transportation providers, human service agencies, educational entities, and businesses.  It describes the different transit opportunities within the Tri-County and regional area, including contacts for inter-city bus companies, Amtrak, and CAT.  Information throughout the manual provides the general public, employees, and employers with an overview of the different transit opportunities in the region and the simplicity of using public transit for either business or personal travel.  This report is also available on TCRPC's website at www.tcrpc-pa.org/srtp.htm, which is updated as new information is received. 

Transit Services and Providers in the Harrisburg Area

Funding Transit in the Harrisburg Area

The transportation staff at TCRPC works with agencies such as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) as well as county, city, and operating agencies to address the transportation improvement priorities within the region.  Under the guidance of all these organizations, HATS develops the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).  The purpose of the RTP is to document the current status of transportation projects and programs, identify long-term needs and recommend transportation programs and projects to meet those needs. The long-range plan sets a framework and priorities for the distribution of federal transportation funds.   While federal legislation requires the RTP to be updated every three years, HATS views the RTP development as a dynamic process.  

From this plan the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is developed.  The TIP is a listing of all transportation related projects within our specific MPO region, mandated by federal law.  The most recent legislation, the "Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), addresses the traditional highway and transit projects including bicycle, pedestrians, and freight-related projects.  The TIP is updated every two years and not only itemizes specific projects, but also documents the anticipated schedule and cost for each project by phase (preliminary engineering, right-of-way acquisition, utilities, construction, and final design).  The TIP must be financially constrained according to the amount of funds expected to be available to the region.  Once the TIP is adopted, it may be modified or amended as necessary.  The HATS’ TIP serves as the major identification of funding for regional transit projects in the Harrisburg region.  For more information on the process visit the HATS website:

• The HATS 2030 Regional Transportation Plan

• The HATS 2003 Congestion Management System Plan

• The HATS FFY 2005 - 2008 Transit TIP Project Listings

• Funding the RTP

[TCRPC Home] [CONNECTIONS Home]

[1. Introduction]  [2. Connections]  [3. Capital Area Transit]  [4. Paratransit/Handicap]  [5. Reg/Ntl Pub Transit]  [6. PA Public Transit]  [7. Other Options]  [8. Why Transit?]  [9. Glossary]  [10. Acronyms & Abrev.]  [11. Appendix]