Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority


The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority is the Municipal Authority that owns and operates the public transport system in Erie County, Pennsylvania which includes the 'e', the area's transit buses; LIFT, the county paratransit service; and Bayliner Trolley, the downtown circulator.

History

The first public transportation system in Erie was established on March 1, 1897 as the Erie City Passenger Railway Company. On October 8, 1888, the Erie Electric Motor Company took control of the Erie City Passenger Railway. The Conneaut and Erie Railway Traction Company was formed in 1903 and ran trolleys to east of the city. On December 24, 1906, the Buffalo and Lake Erie Traction Company took control of the Erie Electric Motor Company and completed its line to Buffalo, New York in 1909. When the Conneaut and Erie was abandoned on September 16, 1922, the West Ridge Transportation Company was started the next year to run buses along the abandoned trolley route. The Buffalo and Lake Erie was reorganized into the Buffalo and Erie Railway Company on September 5, 1924 and the streetcar system in Erie was split from the Buffalo and Erie to form the Erie Railways Company. Unable to expanded to invest in an expansion of the streetcar system, four Yellow Coach "Z"'s were acquired and were operated by the Erie Coach Company, a newly formed subsidiary of the Erie Railways Company in 1925. The last of its trolleys ran between Erie and New York on December 1, 1932. The streetcars were put out of service in 1935. The city and county took over the Erie Coach Company and formed the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority on September 20, 1966.
The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority renamed its bus service "the 'e'" on June 11, 2010.

The 'e'

Routes

RouteInbound terminusDestinations servedNotes
1 Glenwood7th-French StreetGlenwood - Millcreek Mall
3 Peach StreetIntermodal CenterMillcreek Mall, Summit Township
4 Liberty StreetIntermodal CenterMillcreek Mall
7 Night OwlMercyhurst UniversityDowntown Erie-
11 Harborcreek9th and Peach StreetsHarborcreek Township
12 Albion7th and French StreetsMillcreek Mall, Fairview, Girard, Lake City, Albion
105 CorryMillcreek MallWaterford, Union City, Corry
14 Edinboro7th and French StreetsMillcreek Mall, McKean, Edinboro, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
15 East 38th StreetPenn State ErieMercyhurst University, Millcreek Mall-
16 North East7th and French StreetMercyhurst University, Harborcreek Township, Mercyhurst North East, North East
17 Briggs AvenueMillcreek MallMercyhurst University, Penn State Erie
18 Penn State Behrend Campus LoopPenn State Erie
19 Gannon Campus LoopGannon University
20A Downtown LoopIntermodal CenterState Street -
20B Lincoln Ave. - Park-N-RideUPMC HamotLincoln Park-N-Ride-
20C Courthouse LoopIntermodal CenterErie County Courthouse-
20L Cultural LoopIntermodal CenterErie Art Museum, Erie Insurance Arena, Erie Playhouse, Warner Theater
21 Lawrence Park9th and Peach StreetsLawrence Park
22 Tacoma7th and French StreetsTacoma Avenue
23 Belle ValleyIntermodal CenterBelle Valley, Greene Township
24 McClelland7th and French StreetMcClelland - 41st Rice Ave
25 Wesleyville7th and French StreetsWesleyville, Saltsman Road, Penn State Erie
26 East 26th StreetIntermodal CenterEast 26th Street, Penn State Erie-
26L E. 26th St - Walmart OnlyIntermodal CenterE.26th St - Walmart Only-
27 State StreetIntermodal CenterPresque Isle Downs
28 Erie Heights7th and French Street
29 AsburyIntermodal CenterWest 26th Street, Asbury Road
30 West Millcreek7th and French StreetsMillcreek Township, Legion Road
31 Frontier7th and French StreetsErie Int'l Airport - Fortis Inst., West 12th Street
32 Westlake10th and French StreetsErie Int'l Airport - Fortis Inst., West Lake Road
33 Presque Isle ExpressBeach 11West Erie Plaza
105 Corry LoopCorry
229 FairviewFairview
Edinboro ExpressEdinboro University of Pennsylvania

Bus Fleet

List of EMTA's fleet

† Eighteen CNG buses, only alternative fuel in fleet

LIFT

"LIFT" is EMTA's paratransit program in that provides door-to-door transportation services to people who have physical disabilities, are senior citizens or anyone who lives "beyond the bus routes or are unable to utilize bus services." Some passengers qualify for free rides while others may have to pay a minimum of $1.65 to ride.

Other programs

Until 2008, EMTA offered a "trackless" trolley that could be rented for special occasions; while the rental program has been discontinued, this type of vehicle is still used for Route 20. Another program from EMTA is their "Bike on the Bus" program for bicyclists that allows them to take the bus to a destination while carrying their bike on a rack on the front of the bus for free. EMTA has a "Bayliner Trolley" route, using trackless trolleys, that takes the place of the Park and ride service in Erie. Currently, there is no fare on the Bayliner route.
E-450 bus