With summer approaching, Capital Area Transit (CAT) once again is partnering with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts to bring workers to seasonal jobs.
Implemented on Tuesday, the HP (Hersheypark) bus route will provide more than 10 routes to connect Harrisburg residents to popular Hershey areas such as Hersheypark, Tanger Outlets and the Hershey Hotel.
“This is the 15th consecutive season that CAT has run its summer service to the Hershey properties,” said Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse (pictured above), at a press conference on Tuesday. “During those 15 years, CAT has transported more than a quarter-million riders from the city of Harrisburg to Hershey.”
This year, CAT anticipates the HP will transport 35,000 riders to and from Hershey throughout the summer. For these riders, Hershey Entertainment has funded an articulated bus for $10,040. The bus, which resembles two buses held together by an accordion-like connector, holds 60 seats, twice the number of a regular CAT bus.
“Not only will we be increasing the number of riders per trip, but we will be reducing the operating cost,” said Papenfuse.
The bus, which will not be available until July, will also feature Hershey branding.
“On behalf of our nearly 700 full-time and 7,000 part-time employees, we are grateful for our ongoing collaboration with Capital Area Transit and are proud to partner with an organization that is so committed to serving our community,” said Kathleen McGraw, director of communications at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. “We are confident that this service that was announced today will not only help out employees and guests but the region as a whole.”
According to Richard Farr, the executive director of CAT, the bus will not only benefit Hershey and their employees, but Harrisburg will see an economic benefit, as well.
“It gives individuals jobs, which is something we are always looking to do, and it allows those who have jobs and reside in the city of Harrisburg to spend their money downtown,” he said. “They’ll partake in the activities, they’ll partake in the restaurants, and that’s all part of the bigger picture of economic development.”
In addition, CAT has updated its current routes, which are effective today:
Route 9 – Discontinuation of service to PA Game Commission
Route 12 – Time adjustment of 5:15 p.m. inbound trip; time point & notes added to schedule
Route 39 – Discontinuation of Vartan Way deviation (6:30 a.m. trip)
Route 322 – Time adjustment of 7:45 a.m. inbound trip & route alignment adjustments
Route C – Time adjustments on outbound p.m. rush hour trips
For the full list of changes, visit cattransit.com and read the full summer service announcement.
