Discounted Fares
CATA offers free rides for veterans and discounted fares for students, seniors, and riders with disabilities using valid IDs or eligibility cards.
Veteran Bus Pass
If you have served in the United States Armed Forces or Reserves, CATA wants to say thank you — with a free ride, every day. CATA’s Veteran bus pass gives you unlimited free rides for up to 10 years and there is no charge for the pass. Pick one up at the CATA Transportation Center in downtown Lansing, the Capital Area Multimodal Gateway in East Lansing or CATA’s Administrative Offices in South Lansing.
To receive your free pass, present one of the following:
- U.S. Department of Defense ID
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID
- Form DD 214
- Driver's license or state ID with Veteran designation
Any one of the forms of identification listed above may be presented in lieu of the Veteran bus pass to receive a free ride.
CATA Student ID
Riding with CATA is a smart move for students. CATA Student IDs are available at no cost through local middle and high schools. Presenting your Student ID entitles you to a discounted student fare of 60 cents. With your Student ID, you pay just 60 cents per ride and can purchase a student pass. All students in grades 6 and above are eligible. There is a $5 fee to replace a lost or stolen card. Call 517-394-1000 for details.
College Student ID
Present a valid college Student ID for a discounted fare of 60 cents. You are also eligible to purchase a student pass.
CATAClub Card
If you are 62 or older or have a disability, you qualify for a free CATAClub card. It’s CATA’s way of making sure the riders who need it most can always afford to get where they’re going. Your CATAClub card gives you a discounted fare of 60 cents and makes you eligible to purchase a value pass. There are two types — Annual and Lifetime. To get a card, you must apply and be approved.
CATAClub Annual: Issued to persons with a temporary disability. Valid for one calendar year.
CATAClub Lifetime: Issued to persons with a permanent disability or riders who are 62 or older. Valid for up to ten years depending on when you apply. There is a $5.00 fee to replace a lost or stolen CATAClub card.
Download CATAclub Lifetime Application for Persons with Disabilities (PDF)
Download CATAclub Lifetime Application for Seniors Age 62+ (PDF)
CATAclub Lifetime cards are issued to persons with a permanent disability or persons 62+ years. They are valid for up to ten years depending on when you apply. There is a $5.00 fee to replace a lost or stolen CATAclub card.
Universal Reduced Fare Card Program
The Universal Reduced Fare Card is a free card that lets seniors and riders with disabilities use participating transit providers across Michigan at a reduced fare — no extra applications or paperwork required. CATA is one of 33 agencies participating in this statewide pilot program, which is a partnership between the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, the Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Passenger Transportation, MASSTrans and the Michigan Public Transportation Association.
If you have a CATAClub card and want to participate, CATA will send you a URF sticker to place on your card. Show your stickered CATAClub card to any participating agency’s bus operator to ride at the reduced fare. To request your sticker, email info@cata.org or visit the Customer Information Center in downtown Lansing. If you are applying for a CATAClub card and want the URF sticker, just note that on your application.
Medicare Card
Your Medicare Card works on CATA too. Anyone showing a valid Medicare Card qualifies to ride at the discounted rate of 60 cents and to purchase a value pass.
ADA Card
Riders with disabilities can show their ADA (Americans with Disabilities) Card to ride at the discounted rate of 60 cents and purchase a value pass. This discount applies to fixed-route service only.
