SPEC-TRAN
Spec-Tran offers accessible, curb-to-curb transportation throughout Lansing and East Lansing and in Delhi, Delta, Lansing and Meridian townships
Eligibility Requirements
Spec-Tran is CATA’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit service for people unable to use CATA’s fixed-route system. This is an advance reservation, curb-to-curb service that uses small low-floor vans and lift-equipped buses to transport customers.
Spec-Tran customers must be certified in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please download the ADA pre-certification application (PDF).
Visit FAQs to get more information.
Service Area
Spec-Tran disability transportation service is available throughout Lansing and East Lansing and in Delhi, Delta, Lansing and Meridian townships. The service area boundaries are outlined on this map. Ride reservations will be limited to the service area. No exceptions will be allowed. Customers outside the service area may transfer from other services to Spec-Tran at one of the connection points identified on the map.
Service Hours
Spec-Tran operates seven days a week during the same hours as CATA fixed-route service. For specific hours, call 517-394-2282.
Paying For Your Ride
Spec-Tran fare is $2.50 for each one-way ride.
You can pay for your Spec-Tran fare with:
- Cash (you must have the exact fare; drivers cannot make change)
- CATA Mobile Pay
- Debit and credit cards
- Prepaid fare cards
- Pre-paid Spec-Tran punch cards
- Blue Spec-Tran tokens
Reserving a Ride
CATA offers three options for reserving a Spec-Tran ride:
- MyRideCATA app – Download the free app to arrange trips from your mobile device. Available on both iPhone and Android devices. You’ll need your client ID and password.
- Myspectran.cata.org – Access the website from any device. You’ll need your client ID and password.
- CATA’s reservation line - Call 517-394-CATA (2282) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, year-round, including holidays.
You may schedule a ride up to 14 days in advance of the trip.
Spec-Tran service is not available on a same-day basis. Next-day ride requests must be received by 5 p.m. regardless of how the trip is reserved. Rides scheduled electronically outside of the accepted reservation times will be canceled.
Please let us know if you will be accompanied by a personal assistant or guest. Your personal assistant rides for free. You may bring one guest with you on Spec-Tran. They will pay the same fare as you.
It is important to let us know if personal assistants, guests or children will be accompanying you at the time you make your reservation.
Canceling a Ride
CATA offers three options for canceling a Spec-Tran ride:
- MyRideCATA app – Download the free app to cancel a trip from your mobile device. Available on both iPhone and Android devices. You’ll need your client ID and password.
- Myspectran.cata.org – Access the website from any device. You’ll need your client ID and password.
- CATA’s cancellation line - Call 517-394-CATA (2282) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You’ll need your client ID.
Cancellations can be made 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of how you reserved your ride. Cancellations must be made at least 90 minutes before the scheduled pickup time or as soon as possible so that drivers' schedules can be adjusted. Rides canceled less than 90 minutes in advance are considered no-shows. You will be required to provide your client identification number when canceling a ride.
Wait Stop Trips
Beginning in 2023, CATA now offers wait stop trips, a scheduled trip to point A to point B, with a brief stop in between, giving flexibility of making a quick drop-off or pickup during their ride before arriving at their final destination. Riders who schedule a wait stop trip will be able to stay on the same Spec-Tran vehicle for the duration of the trip.
Wheelchairs and Other Mobility Devices
Customers may bring wheelchair accessible mobility devices such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. CATA will transport any mobility device as long as the combined weight is within the actual dimensions and design load of the vehicle.
As a courtesy to other passengers in the vehicle, customers are asked to limit packages to as many as they and/or their personal care assistant or companion can carry on board in one trip.
Personal Care Assistants
ADA-certified customers who qualify for a Personal Care Assistant (PCA), indicated with a checkbox on the ADA card, may bring a PCA on all CATA services, including fixed route, free of charge. Customers should expect to show an ADA card upon boarding.
Customers wishing to bring a PCA on a demand-response service like Spec-Tran should let their call-taker know they'll be traveling with assistance when scheduling their ride.
Service Animals
ADA regulations define a service animal as any animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. Service animals are welcome on all CATA vehicles.
- Keep your service animal well-groomed, neat, and under control at all times.
- The customer is responsible for knowing the best way for the animal to board the vehicle.
- Service animals are expected to sit on the floor of the vehicle.
- Animals that display disruptive or threatening behavior will not be allowed on any CATA service or property.
Spec-Tran Guide
For a detailed Spec-Tran guide, download the Spec-Tran Brochure (PDF) (updated January 2025), the Spec-Tran Guide (PDF), or call the Spec-Tran office at 517-394-CATA (2282).
Audio Script for Spec-Tran Guide
Download the Spec-Tran Guide audio script (15.1 MB). Looking for audio schedules for other routes? Access all audio schedules on our Disability Resources page.
Paratransit Vehicles
- Cameras: In April 2018, CATA contracted with Transdev, an international public transit services company, to assist with transporting CATA’s paratransit customers. With this new partnership comes a new initiative—cameras on board. For the safety of our drivers, passengers and community, all small buses and minivans operated by Transdev will be equipped with technology that records audio and video of activities occurring inside and/or outside the vehicle. This technology is powered by Lytx in partnership with Transdev and CATA.
- Color of Vehicles: Due to a national vehicle shortage, CATA has acquired vehicles in a variety of colors to continue to provide the best possible service to riders. Spec-Tran customers may see grey, white or black vans with CATA’s wordmark displayed on them to service clients. Operators will continue to provide an excellent customer experience and follow existing protocols.