Rider Guide
New to CATA or just need a refresher? This guide covers everything you need to ride with confidence — from planning your trip and paying your fare to boarding, transferring, and bringing your bike.
How to Ride CATA
Trip Planner
Enter your starting point, destination, date, and time to find the best route. The Trip Planner shows you which buses to take, where to board, when to transfer, and how much your fare will be.
Find Bus by Schedule
Know your route? Select it by number to see a full timetable with departure times for every stop along the route.
Real-Time Bus Tracking
Track your bus in real time using your stop number and a phone or computer. Get next-bus arrival times for any of CATA’s 1,300+ fixed-route stops.
Print Schedules
Prefer a paper schedule? Pick one up at the CATA Transportation Center (CTC) in downtown Lansing, the MSU-CTC/Ramp 1 on the MSU campus, on buses, and at locations throughout Greater Lansing.
Need help planning your trip?
Call CATA Customer Experience at 517-394-1000, Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–7 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Pay by Bus Pass
CATA offers a variety of multi-ride and unlimited-ride passes, including discounted passes for students, seniors, persons with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. To pay with a pass, swipe or dip your fixed-route pass in the farebox magnetic card reader when you board.
Pay by Cash
Have your cash ready before you board. Fareboxes accept $1, $5, and $10 bills and all U.S. coins. Drivers cannot make change. If you overpay, the farebox will issue a CATACash Card for the difference, which can be used toward future fixed-route fares. CATACash Cards cannot be redeemed for cash.
Discount Fares
You may qualify for a discounted fare if you hold one of the following:
- CATA Student ID
- College Student ID
- CATAClub Card
- Medicare Card
- ADA Card
Discount fares apply to most CATA services. Spec-Tran and Shopping Bus fares are not discounted. Drivers may ask to see your ID card when paying a discounted cash fare.
All Payment Options
CATA offers multiple ways to pay your fare, including tapping a debit or credit card (Visa or Mastercard),
using mobile wallets, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, on a phone or smartwatch, managing tickets and accounts digitally through Transit app or the CATA Mobile Pay app and buying and loading prepaid fare cards at CATA locations, with options to reload at select stores.
How to Board the Bus
Follow these steps to board safely and keep service running on time.
- Get to your stop 5–10 minutes before the bus is due. Make sure you’re on the side of the street where traffic is moving in the direction you want to travel.
- Stand or sit where the driver can see you, especially at stops with benches or shelters.
- If your stop serves more than one route, check the route number on the display above the bus windshield as it approaches.
- Wave to the driver as the bus approaches to signal that you want to board.
- Have your fare ready. You will pay when you board.
- CATA fixed-route buses have a low-floor design and are equipped with a lift to make boarding easier.
- Move quickly and carefully to your seat after boarding. Drivers are not required to wait until all passengers are seated before moving — they must keep to schedule.
How to make a transfer
If your trip requires more than one bus, you can transfer for free within a two-hour window.
- When you board your first bus and pay your fare, ask the driver for a transfer card.
- The farebox will print a card showing the date and expiration time. Each transfer is valid for two hours and can be used up to two times within that window.
- Insert your transfer card into the farebox slot when boarding your next bus.
Transfer rules
Transfers allow travel in one direction only — they cannot be used for return trips. If you transfer to a higher-fare service such as CATA Rural Service, you must pay the difference in fare when you board.
Exiting the Bus
- When you are about one block from your stop, pull the yellow cord to signal the driver to stop at the next bus stop.
- Exit through the rear door.
- For your safety, wait for the bus to pull away before crossing the street.
- If your bike is on the front rack, exit through the front door and let the driver know you will be removing your bike before you get off.
Bike Rack Policy
Bringing your bike on the bus is free and no reservation is required. Racks are located on the front of every fixed-route bus and hold up to three bikes on a first-come, first-served basis.
- No charge and no advance reservation required.
- Racks hold up to three bikes. If the rack is full, wait for the next bus.
- Recumbent, tandem, and three-wheeled bikes are not permitted — they do not fit safely in the racks.
- Motorized bikes with gasoline tanks are prohibited.
- Drivers will not leave the bus to assist with loading or unloading.
- CATA assumes no liability for injuries or damage to bikes or personal property.
Loading Your Bike
Before the bus arrives, remove any pumps, water bottles, or locks stored on your bike.
- Signal the driver as the bus stops to let them know you’re loading a bike.
- If the rack is folded up against the bus, squeeze the handle and pull it down.
- Load your bike closest to the bus if the rack is empty. Face the front tire toward the locking arm.
- Place the wheels in the wheel wells, then pull the locking handle out and over the front tire, as close to the frame as possible.
Unloading Your Bike
- Exit through the front door and tell the driver you’re removing your bike.
- Pull up on the support arm and push it to the side to release your bike.
- Lift your bike from the rack.
- If the rack is now empty, fold it back against the bus by squeezing the release handle and raising it until it locks.
- Step back to the curb and let the bus pull away before mounting your bike.
Bike Locker Rentals
CATA offers secured bike lockers for rent at the CATA Transportation Center, 420 S. Grand Avenue in downtown Lansing. Lockers are in an outdoor unit on the northeast side of the CTC and accommodate four bicycles.
Rental fees:
- $10 per month (non-refundable)
- $30 deposit (refundable when the lease ends and the key is returned)
To rent a locker, contact CATA Customer Experience at the CTC information booth, call 517-394-1000, or email info@cata.org. A valid photo ID and permanent mailing address are required. Lockers may only be used to store a bicycle or bicycle equipment.
Curb-to-Curb & Paratransit Services Information
CATA offers several advance-reservation, curb-to-curb services for riders who need a more flexible option. Reserve your ride and we’ll pick you up at your door and take you to your destination.
To book most curb-to-curb services, call 517-394-CATA (2282). Reservations are required up to 24 hours in advance.
Spec-Tran
Curb-to-curb service for riders with disabilities who are unable to use fixed-route buses. Operates 7 days a week during fixed-route hours. Riders must be ADA-certified. Fare: $2.50 per one-way ride. Book online or call 517-394-2282 daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
CATA Rural Service
Service in outlying areas of Ingham County for any trip purpose. Operates Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–6 p.m. One-way fares range from $2.25–$3.25 (regular) and $1.00–$1.50 (discounted).
Redi-Ride
Service throughout Delhi and Meridian townships and the city of Mason. Operates Monday–Saturday (hours vary by area). One-way fares: $1.25 regular / $0.60 discounted (Delhi and Mason); $2.50 / $1.25 (Meridian).
Connector Service
Regularly scheduled small bus service connecting Mason, Williamston, and Webberville to Lansing urban routes. Operates Monday–Saturday. Route deviations up to one mile may be available with advance notice. One-way fares range from $2.25–$3.25 (regular) and $1.00–$1.50 (discounted).
MSU Lot Link
Service between MSU parking lots #83, 89, and 91 and other campus locations. Operates weekdays 7 p.m.–2 a.m. and weekends 9 a.m.–2 a.m. during MSU fall and spring semesters. Rides must begin or end at one of the three lots. Fare: $1.25 regular / $0.60 discounted.
MSU Night Owl
Late night and early morning campus service during MSU fall and spring semesters. Operates weekdays 2–7 a.m. and weekends until 9 a.m. Rides are restricted to campus. Fare: $1.25 regular / $0.60 discounted.
Cancel a Curb-to-Curb Trip
Call 517-394-CATA (2282) as soon as possible to cancel. The cancellation line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Cancellations must be made at least 90 minutes before the start of your scheduled pick-up window. Spec-Tran riders can also cancel through their MySpectran account.
Lost and Found Information
Left something on a bus or at a CATA facility? Items found on buses or at CATA locations are turned in to the Lost & Found at the CATA Transportation Center, 420 S. Grand Avenue, downtown Lansing.
You must claim your item within 10 days. Lost & Found hours:
- Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Saturday–Sunday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
To check if your item has been found, call CATA Customer Experience at 517-394-1000.
FAQs
Answers to our most commonly asked questions about everything from routes, services to fares and more
Safety Rules
For your safety and comfort, CATA does not permit the following on any CATA vehicle or property, including the CATA Transportation Center (CTC), MSU-CATA Transportation Center (MSU-CTC) and all shelters and bus stops. Rule violations may result in the removal of an individual from CATA vehicles or property. It may also result in an individual being banned from CATA property, loss of riding privileges and possible arrest.
The following is prohibited on any CATA vehicle or on any CATA property:
- Eating, drinking or open beverage containers aboard CATA vehicles
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes (except in designated areas).
- Possession or consumption of alcohol or illegal substances.
- Weapons of any kind (except lawfully carried firearms), or possession of any hazardous material or item.
- Disorderly, loud or disruptive behavior, including, but not limited to:
- obscene, threatening, inciting or insulting language or gestures.
- running, yelling or throwing objects.
- spitting, littering, vandalism or graffiti.
- fighting, mock fighting or roughhousing.
- standing, sitting or walking in a way that inconveniences, obstructs or interferes with others, i.e., blocking doors, feet on seats, etc.
- any action that may interfere with or disrupt the safe operation of CATA vehicles and properties.
- Loitering. At the CTC, passengers must board the first-available bus or leave the premises.
- Use of sound-producing devices without the use of personal headphones.
- Panhandling, soliciting, harassing, annoying or intimidating any person.
- Lack of proper attire, i.e., not wearing shirts and shoes.
- Bicycling, rollerblading or skateboarding; wearing skates on CATA vehicles.
- Animals, except those used for service, i.e., guide dogs or those transported in a suitable crate or container.
Translated Documents
To ensure everyone has access to our information, we provide important ADA documents in translated versions
Arabic
Korean
Mandarin
Spanish
Farsi
Plan Your Ride on a Fixed Route
Use our tools to find your best route options, view schedules, and locate nearby stops to start your trip
Where do you want to go today?
Search Trip Planner for your best route option if you know when and where you're traveling.
When will you go?
Browse routes by schedule for timetables and route details.
Where can you start?
Use Stops & Departures to find the nearest CATA stop and departing times for buses serving that stop.
Where can CATA take you?
View map of fixed route service area
Courtesy Tips
Planning
- Plan your route ahead of time by checking a print schedule or calling CATA Customer Service at 517-394-1000. A driver cannot take the time to give you detailed trip planning.
- Children should be removed from their strollers before boarding the bus and the stroller should be folded and placed out of the aisle, so as not to impede passenger movement.
- If you smoke while waiting for a bus, please move away from non-smokers at the bus stop. Go to designated smoking areas at bus boarding centers. Properly dispose of your cigarette butt.
Boarding
- Use the proper cash fare, CATA pass or ride card when you board. If you pay with cash, have your money in hand (U.S. currency only) when you board the vehicle. For those who qualify for the discounted cash fares please have your identification ready to show the driver.
- If you pay with cash and need to transfer, ask the driver for a transfer ticket when boarding your first bus—don't wait to ask until the end of your trip.
- Move quickly and carefully to your seat after boarding. Public transportation drivers are not required to wait until passengers are seated before they move the bus – they must keep to a schedule.
Riding
- Turn your cell phone ringer to vibrate. If you must take a call, please keep it quiet and watch your language. Keep your conversations at a normal level. Don't use the speakerphone feature.
- If you see an older or disabled person getting on the bus, please offer them your seat. Accommodate those who need it. The front, aisle-facing seats in the bus are reserved (by law) for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. It is okay to use these seats, as long as no one, for whom they were intended, needs a seat.
- If the bus is crowded, offer your seat to someone who needs it more.
- If you find someone left an item on the bus, give it to the driver so they can turn it into CATA Lost & Found.
- Service animals are welcome on all CATA vehicles. Remember, they are working. Please do not pet or call the animal as these distractions can cause the service animal to make mistakes that could inconvenience or endanger their owner.
- When the driver asks passengers to move back, so others may board, promptly move to the back of the bus. This creates more space for others to board and the bus can continue on its way and get you to your destination on time.
- Do not distract the driver. It is in everyone’s best interest that they stay focused on their driving duties.
- Distribution of literature, offering items for sale, soliciting signatures, conducting surveys, or use of photographic equipment is prohibited without the permission of CATA management.
Exiting
- Please check your seat to make sure you have all your belongings before leaving the vehicle. Please properly dispose of trash receptacles at bus stops and boarding centers.
- Exit the bus through the rear door and wait until the bus passes to cross the street. This helps the boarding process go smoothly and keeps you safe.