About CATA

June 22, 2009            
Contact:  Sandy Draggoo    
517.394.1100

The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) is seeking citizen input regarding a proposed increase to fares for CATA boardings in a zone within CATA’s service area that covers most of Delta Township. Download Fixed-Route Zone Fare Map or Spec-Tran Zone Fare Map below or call 394.1100.

Fixed Route Fare Zones (PDF)	Spec Tran Fare Zones (PDF)

Under this proposal, CATA would implement a two-zone fare system. Zone 1 would include all areas where current fares are charged, excluding most of Delta Township. Zone 2 would cover most of Delta Township, where proposed fare increases would go into effect. Customers boarding in Delta Township should call 394.1100 to learn if this proposed fare increase would impact them. The Zone 2 fare increase would apply to Zone 2 area customer boardings of CATA fixed-route and Spec-Tran services in Delta Township. The fare increase would be charged when using all forms of fare payment: cash, tokens, passes, ride cards and transfers. “The CATA Board authorized extending service into Delta in the 1980s to give Ingham County residents access to work and business locations along W. Saginaw Highway”, stated Sandy Draggoo, CATA CEO/Executive Director. “The Delta Township population and businesses have grown considerably since that time - - so have the number of Delta Township boardings. Over the past 10 years, we’ve been working to encourage Delta Township to fund existing and expanded public transportation services within Delta and into the Ingham County area. The Board has now reached the point where they feel they can no longer offer services in Delta without revenue coming from the Township.” The proposed fare system, if approved, is slated for October 2009 implementation.

Proposed Zone 2 Fare for Fixed-Route Service:

Zone 2 Full Fare per trip: $2.50         
Zone 2 Discount Fare* per trip: $1.25
               
*Applies to students, seniors (62+ years of age), Medicare cardholders and persons with disabilities.

For example, a customer boarding a CATA fixed-route bus at the Lansing Mall (in Delta Township), enroute to the CATA Transportation Center, would pay the Zone 2 fare of $2.50. Their return trip fare from the CTC to the Lansing Mall would be the Zone 1 full fare of $1.25 for a total round-trip fare of $3.75. The round-trip fare for a fixed-route trip that begins and ends in Zone 2 would be $5.00 ($2.50 per one-way trip). Customers who board with a CATA swipe bus pass, ride card or token at a Zone 2 bus stop would have to make an additional payment with either cash or tokens to pay the balance of their Zone 2 fare. No CATA transfer cards would be accepted in Zone 2.

Proposed Zone 2 Fare for Spec-Tran Service:

Fare per trip: $5.00           
                           
A Spec-Tran customer boarding at a Zone 2 location, such as the W. Saginaw Meijer, would pay $5.00 for a one-way trip to downtown Lansing. They would pay the Zone 1 Spec-Tran fare of $2.50 on the return trip from downtown Lansing to their Delta Township Zone 2 destination, for a total round-trip fare of $7.50. For a Spec-Tran round trip that begins and ends in Zone 2, the customer would pay $5.00 each way; for a total round-trip cost of $10.00. Spec-Tran customers paying with a 4-, 10-, or 20-Ride Spec-Tran Pass could request that the operator deduct two rides from their pass when boarding in Zone 2. Customers paying with tokens would be required to pay with two tokens or one token and $2.50 in cash.

Public Hearing Schedule

During the open house style public hearing, the public will be able to discuss the proposed Zone 2 fares with CATA officials one-on-one.  Comments will be received and will become part of the official public hearing record. The citizen feedback will be presented to the CATA Board.

• Wed. July 1- Noon - 2 PM @ CATA Transportation Center (CTC) 420 S. Grand Ave., Downtown Lansing
• Wed., July 1- 5:30 - 7:30 PM @ Delta Township District Library*- Elmwood Rm., 5130 Davenport Dr., Lansing
• Thur., July 2- 7:00 - 9:00 AM @ CTC   
• Thur., July 2- 2:30 - 4:00 PM @ Delta Township District Library*- Elmwood Rm.   

*     A free service will shuttle customers between the bus stop on the west side of the Lansing Mall and the Delta library during the public hearing times at that facility.

Citizens may also give comments until 5 PM on July 2, 2009 via email to info@cata.org, call CATA at 517.394.1100, or mail/drop comments to CATA, 4615 Tranter Street, Lansing, MI  48910, or drop them at the CTC at 420 S. Grand Ave. in Lansing. Feedback can also be left by going to CATA - Capital Area Transportation Authority on Facebook and posting comments on the Wall. The meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. Sign interpreters will be available if requested six (6) days prior to the hearing date by calling 517.394.1100 or Michigan Relay 1.800.649.3777. If you cannot attend a public hearing and would like to know how this will affect you, please contact CATA at 394.1100.

Anyone needing CATA trip planning assistance to attend a hearing should call CATA Customer Service at 517.394.1000.