Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority

What Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority does

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority provides a variety of safe transportation services that are responsive to mobility needs. They address inquiries through phone, mail, and online applications.

Name

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority

Legal name

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority

Website

https://ride-the-e.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority provides transportation services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transit Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Special Needs Transportation (485991)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Transit Bus Operator Authorities & Agencies (Planning/Fare/Admin) (TLAFAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Transit Agencies (Bus, Rail, Metro, Paratransit) (BPAIALAB)

Keywords

• Public transit services
• Fixed route bus
• Paratransit service
• Digital fare collection
• Transit fleet management

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Passenger Fare Revenue: Revenue from fixed-route bus fares, transfers, and passes including single rides, day passes, multi-ride tickets, and 31-day passes. Also includes paratransit (LIFT) fares for ADA and other programs.
2. Bus and Shelter Advertising: Advertising revenue from 'moving billboard' bus exterior advertisements and shelter locations throughout Erie County, targeting commuters, drivers, and pedestrians in residential and business areas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority provides public bus transportation and paratransit services throughout Erie County, Pennsylvania. Its core offering is 'The e', a fixed-route bus service operating 28 routes across the city of Erie and 17 townships for 20+ hours daily, plus 'The LIFT', a door-to-door paratransit service for residents unable to use fixed-route buses. The authority also delivers complementary trolley service, university shuttles, and digital fare payment via Token Transit with QR code and Tap to Pay functionality.

Product overview

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority operates a dual-division public transportation system in Erie County, Pennsylvania. The core offerings include 'The e' fixed-route bus service (28 fixed routes operating over 20 hours daily) and 'The LIFT' paratransit service for mobility-impaired residents. These are supplemented by the Bayliner Trolley for downtown travel, Route 33 Presque Isle Express for seasonal summer service, and specialized programs including Travel Training, Bike on the Bus, Senior Citizen Free Ride, and Reduced Fare programs. Digital tools include the myStop App for real-time bus tracking and Token Transit for mobile fare payment with QR code scanning and tap-to-pay. The LIFT service integrates with PennDOT's Find My Ride Schedule platform for online trip management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The LIFT: Paratransit service for Erie County residents who are unable to utilize fixed-route bus services. Includes Senior Citizen Program, Rural Transportation Program, MATP, and ADA services.

Products and services

• The e (Fixed Route Bus Service) Main public bus transportation service operating 28 fixed routes throughout Erie City and Erie County, covering destinations including work, school, downtown, malls, and 17 surrounding townships. Operates over 20 hours and approximately 6,500 miles daily, Monday through Saturday, with single-ride, day pass, multi-ride, and 31-day pass fare options.
• The LIFT (Paratransit Service) Shared-ride, advance-request transportation system for Erie County residents unable to use fixed-route buses due to disability or mobility limitations. Includes dedicated programs for ADA customers, seniors, Medical Assistance recipients (MATP), and the Rural Transportation Program for people with disabilities, with fares from free to $6.75 based on program and distance.
• Bayliner Trolley Free downtown trolley service complementing fixed-route buses, providing transportation within downtown Erie for all passengers at no charge.
• Route 33 - Presque Isle Express Seasonal express route providing free transportation from downtown Erie to Presque Isle State Park. Operates during summer months, Wednesdays and Saturdays through August 19, 2026.
• Travel Training Program Free training service teaching riders how to independently use fixed-route or paratransit services. Offers group and individual instruction covering route maps, schedules, fare options, transfers, and transit tracking tools.
• Bike on the Bus Program Bicycle transport service allowing riders to load bikes onto bus-mounted bike racks during transit. Racks available year-round on all fixed-route buses, with riders responsible for loading and unloading.
• Senior Citizen Free Ride Program Free fixed-route bus rides for seniors aged 65 and older presenting a valid Senior Identification card obtained at the Intermodal Transportation Center. Program funded through the Pennsylvania Lottery.
• Reduced Fare Program Discounted bus fares for customers with qualifying disabilities. Reduced fares are $0.80 per ride and $0.25 for transfers; requires Medicare card or qualifying agency verification, with restrictions during peak hours (7:00-8:00AM and 4:30-5:30PM).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3 million rides provided annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Erie Downtown PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the annual 14th Fest event celebrating downtown Erie and summer events; EMTA and Erie Downtown Partnership collaborate on this community engagement event.
• Presque Isle PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Route 33 Presque Isle Express schedule coordination with the Sunset Music Series at Presque Isle State Park.
• Edinboro University (PennWest Edinboro)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity students ride free with valid ID; Edinboro Express campus shuttle operates when classes are in session.
• Gannon UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity students ride free with valid ID; campus shuttle Route 19 operates when classes are in session.
• Penn State BehrendminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity students ride free with valid ID; routes 15, 18, 25, 26 service campus (Route 18 operates when school is in session).
• Erie County Community College (EC3)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEC3 students ride free with student ID on all EMTA fixed routes year-round.
• GECAC Senior CentersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFT Senior Citizen Program provides free rides to doctor's appointments and nearest GECAC senior center.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pittsburgh Regional Transit: Pennsylvania's largest public transit agency operating fixed-route bus, light rail, and paratransit service in the Pittsburgh region. Comparable as a PA municipal authority delivering multi-modal transit under state oversight with similar funding and governance structure, though at substantially larger scale.
• Lane Transit District: Mid-sized Oregon municipal transit district operating fixed-route bus service in the Eugene-Springfield metro. Closely comparable to EMTA in scale, route count, and mid-sized municipal authority structure, with similar service-area population and fare model.
• Salem Area Mass Transit District (Cherriots): Oregon municipal transit district providing fixed-route bus and paratransit service to the Salem-Keizer metro area. Comparable size and operating model to EMTA, with similar small-city service footprint and ADA paratransit offerings.
• Akron Metro RTA: Regional Transit Authority serving Summit County, Ohio with fixed-route bus and paratransit service. Comparable mid-sized authority structure, university ridership programs, and ADA paratransit model similar to EMTA's LIFT.
• Duluth Transit Authority: Small-city municipal transit authority serving the Duluth, MN metro with fixed-route bus and paratransit service. Closely comparable in scale, single-market concentration, and small-staff municipal-authority operating model.
• Mountain Line (Missoula Urban Transportation District): Montana municipal transit district providing fixed-route bus service in the Missoula urban area. Similar small-city transit authority profile, fixed-route bus operating model, and university transit partnerships comparable to EMTA's structure.
• Citibus (Lubbock): Texas municipal transit system operating fixed-route bus service in Lubbock. Comparable mid-sized single-market municipal bus operator with university partnerships (Texas Tech) and paratransit offerings.
• Modesto Area Express (MAX): City of Modesto's fixed-route bus and paratransit service operating in California's Central Valley. Comparable mid-sized municipal bus operation with similar service-area population, fare structure, and ADA paratransit program.
• Blacksburg Transit: Virginia municipal transit agency providing fixed-route bus service in Blacksburg with strong Virginia Tech ridership. Comparable small-authority model with heavy university dependence and free student ridership structure mirroring EMTA's university agreements.
• Greater Bridgeport Transit: Connecticut municipal transit district operating fixed-route bus service in the Greater Bridgeport area. Comparable small-to-mid urban transit authority with paratransit operations, state-funded operating model, and similar service-area demographics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ride_the_e
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@EMTAEriePA
• Facebookfacebook.com/erieemta

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority