Beyond the Bus

The days of straightening bills or hearing coins fall into the farebox are becoming less common. Contactless payment is here, and CATA riders are embracing it. Since the introduction of Mobile Pay — CATA’s first contactless payment option — riders have enjoyed its convenience.

Mobile ticketing is available through the new CATA Mobile Pay app and integrated within Transit app, offering an easy way for riders to purchase and use fare directly from their smartphones. Transit app also provides trip planning, real-time bus tracking and other tools for fixed-route riders.

And this is just the beginning. By fall 2025, CATA will install vending machines at key transit locations, including the CATA Transportation Center in downtown Lansing, Capital Area Multimodal Gateway and MSU-CATA Transportation Center at Ramp 1 in East Lansing. These machines will allow riders to buy preloaded CATA Prepaid Fare Cards that can be reloaded as needed.

Later this year, CATA will roll out even more convenience with contactless payments via credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay with ‘tap and go’ functionality. For those who prefer to pay with cash, rest assured it will always be accepted.

Visit the fares webpage for information about payment options. For mobile pay details, visit the mobile pay webpage. 

Related Stories:

• Capital Area Transportation Authority introduces mobile ticketing
• Go mobile with CATA: new fare payment options

This content has been published in the 2025 Community Report.  

CATA continues to collaborate with regional partners to build a strong network of interconnected public transit services. For example, the Route 3 extension along the Saginaw Highway corridor in Delta Township offers greater access to riders using CATA and EATRAN services.

The Route 3 extension, along with Spec-Tran service in the extended area and EATRAN services, resulted in a combined 133,000 annual trips, connecting residents to employment, grocery stores, medical appointments and more.

Sustaining these services is critical, which is why the Delta Township Board of Trustees unanimously voted to place a millage on the November ballot. The proposed .75 mill levy would generate approximately $1.3 million annually to support public transportation in the township.

Related Stories:

• Regional mobility ramps up with new services
• EATRAN launches Grand Ledge Connector
• EATRAN to resume Charlotte Connector, Saturday service to launch
• CATA awarded $1.6 million to expand regional transit

This content has been published in the 2025 Community Report.  

You’ve heard of Uber and Lyft, the two most popular ridesharing services, but there’s a new microtransit service in town, brought to you by CATA. It’s called CATA Rydz, and it’s already changing the way CATA connects you to your preferred destination via public transit.

Using CATA Rydz is affordable and uber convenient. Fares are the same as a CATA bus ride, and you can request a lift through the CATA Rydz app or its integration with Transit app — just like those other ridesharing services. Catch a flight, get to work or experience more — from downtown Lansing to the tri-county region — all from the convenience of an app.

CATA Rydz currently operates in three geographic zones: downtown Lansing, Delta Township, and a connector service between the MSU campus and Capital Region International Airport. Riders can catch CATA Rydz to a CATA fixed-route stop or any other destination within the zone.

Plans to expand these zones and introduce late-night service are expected to launch this fall. Visit the microtransit webpage for details.

Related Stories:

• CATA’s microtransit service launches next phase
• New microtransit service to offer seamless connections
• CATA awarded $1.6 million to expand regional transit
• Microtransit Improves Access And Equity In Public Transportation

This content has been published in the 2025 Community Report.