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5 Halloween Events You Can't Miss While Riding CATA

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Categories: Blog

Spooky and family friendly nights are just around the corner while riding CATA’s fixed routes! Hop on a CATA bus to enjoy some of the best Halloween events the Capital Area region has to offer this season. Let CATA take you to some of the most exciting and memorable events that you and your family won’t forget. Happy Halloween season!
 
 
 
Potter Park Zoo - Boo at the Zoo
 
Enjoy an exciting day full of your favorite candy, a variety of costumes and creatures all around the zoo! This event is bewitching for the whole family and Halloween attire is highly encouraged to immerse yourself in the magic. We recommend using our ‘plan my trip’ feature to take advantage of Route 8 for an easy ride without parking hassles. Don’t miss the last weekend of Boo at the Zoo on Saturday, Oct. 28, ad Sunday, Oct. 29 from noon to 5 p.m.
 
Downtown Lansing - Trick or Treat on the Square 
This super spooktacular and interactive event is perfect for an exciting night out with your kiddos! Meetup on Washington Square to visit Downtown Lansing businesses all around the block. The event will take place on Friday, October 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., you won’t want to miss out on this exciting adventure! Getting in on the fun couldn't be simpler with CATA, since the fun is easily within walking distance from the downtown CATA Transportation Center (CTC), or you can take Route 1 to get there in no time. We hope you and your loved ones have the best time sightseeing and loading up on the best sweet candies. Be sure to join CATA at this event, we will have a ghostly decorated bus passing out treats!

 
Dog Trick-or-Treating in Old Town
Who doesn’t want to watch the cutest pups dress up this Halloween season? Come check out Dogs-Trick-or-Treating through Old Town Streets wearing the most adorable costumes! This event will take place on October 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. To attend this event, you should meet up with our furry friends at Preuss Pets where participants are given a goodie bag full of fun surprises. Also for your friends and family members, this event will have special sales located in the dog department, food trucks, and vendors galore. If you are interested in attending this event, we recommend taking a CATA bus to the CTC and then hopping on Route 16, to get you there as efficiently as possible.


 
Halloween Costume Giveaway
 
In need of a super last-minute Halloween costume? Join the local “All Washed Up” Laundromat located on MLK and Holmes Road, Saturday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a perfect opportunity to donate old or used costumes! There is also a chance to come in and enter to win a costume from this exciting giveaway! In order to attend this event, we recommend you take Route 2 to get you there with no hassle.
 
Breakout Escape Rooms
For top thrill and scavenger hunt fans we have the Halloween activity of your dreams! Check out Breakout Escape Rooms located in Lansing on October 27, 28 and 29. By reservation, you and the whole family can enjoy 9 various themed rooms to accommodate any size group! Children will also be rewarded with prizes for completing the Escape rooms! Be sure to check out their website here https://roombreakout.com/lansing-mi/ to learn more information.
 
How to plan your trip
If you and your favorite ghoul tag-a-longs used CATA to get you there, please tag @ridecata on your social media platforms! We would love to see everyone out and about and make all of the best Halloween memories while riding CATA. Whether you're haunting the town for Halloween or just riding CATA to work, CATA will always have you covered with the latest information on the front page of our website! Looking for more once you hang up your costume? Check out our blog on the best winter activities around Lansing here.
 
 
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Top 5 Destinations to Discover by CATA This Fall

Monday, October 16, 2023

Categories: Community

As autumn paints the Capital City region  with vibrant color, it's the perfect time to discover all of the fantastic fall activities the community  has to offer. From corn mazes to scenic hikes, we'll explore the top attractions. Plus, we'll show you how easy it is to get around using CATA. Here are five fall activities that residents can enjoy by hopping on a CATA bus!

Visit a Corn Maze at Cottage GardensBestmaze II entrance

 

A visit to a local corn maze is the perfect family outing this fall! It's an opportunity for quality time, laughter and a little friendly competition. Whether you're navigating the twists and turns or racing to find the exit, the corn maze promises unforgettable memories.

The original “Bestmaze in Williamston” unfortunately shut down last year after 22 years, but there’s good news: Bestmaze II is here, designed and installed by the original owner, and residents can take Route 9 to get there!

Visit a Local Farmers Market 

The vibrant local farmers market scene is booming in the region, with many opportunities to shop and support local farmers and artisans. These markets offer a diverse array of fresh produce and handcrafted goods, making it a true epicenter of community and sustainable living.

Every Sunday until October 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the East Lansing Farmers Market. The East Lansing Farmers Market is a market supplied exclusively by growers. Located within easy reach of both the MSU campus and the downtown East Lansing area, residents can take Route 1 and have the opportunity to stock up on a wide variety of Michigan-grown produce and goods. This includes items such as vegetables, fruits, artisan bread, cheese, meats, coffee, maple syrup, honey, flowers and much more to fill their shopping bags with.

Take a Color Tour

During the fall, Lansing becomes a lively, beautiful place with colorful foliage. You can visit local parks and nature centers to see pretty sights and go for walks or bike rides. It's a great time for people who like being outside and enjoying nature.

Here’s a brief list of places you can visit to take a color tour:

There are also plenty of other areas in the Capital City region for people to discover and enjoy nature. The possibilities are endless!

Watch a Football Game at Spartan Stadium 

 

Community members have a convenient way to enjoy the excitement of Michigan State University football games during the fall by taking Route 1 to East Lansing. CATA offers well-connected routes that take fans directly to Spartan Stadium, where they can cheer on the team. By using the bus, residents can skip the hassle of parking and traffic, making game day a stress-free experience. CATA also offers multiple game day shuttles to get you to the game. 

Attending the football games is an incredibly fun activity for families. It's a chance to bond over the thrilling atmosphere of the stadium, share team spirit and create lasting memories. Kids and parents alike can enjoy the excitement of the game, the halftime shows and the overall camaraderie, making it a memorable outing that unites generations in their support for the Spartans.

Visit Potter Park Zoo 

Fall is a great time to visit Potter Park Zoo with the cooler weather and gorgeous fall colors. Families can also enjoy  Boo at the Zoo events taking place on weekends during the month of October from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Kids can come dressed in their Halloween costumes and enjoy activities such as straw mazes, hayrides, cider and donuts, obstacle courses and more. For families looking for a fun weekend outing this fall, Route 8 provides a convenient way to reach Potter Park for the Boo at the Zoo event. 

 

From navigating corn mazes to cheering on the Spartans at Spartan Stadium, the possibilities are boundless. Thanks to CATA's well-connected routes, residents can effortlessly explore these fall delights without the hassles of traffic and parking. Embrace this season of togetherness, create everlasting memories and plan your trip with CATA!

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Getting to Work in the Capital City Region is Easy with CATA

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Categories: Blog

“CATA has helped me throughout many stages in my life, from school to now using the buses to get to and from work,” said Ashley Yates, 10-year CATA rider. Ashley uses CATA for all of her daily needs such as going to work, doctors’ appointments and visiting friends. Within ten minutes, Ashley can be picked up before and after her shift to ensure she gets to where she needs to be efficiently and on time. For some CATA riders, taking public transportation is their only option for getting to and from work. 

What kind of jobs are in the area?

There are hundreds of positions opening for job seekers to apply. According to the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), the top employers in, and around, Lansing include the State of Michigan, McLaren Health, Michigan State University, General Motors, Sparrow Health Systems and others. An article from Jobs2Careers states that there are over 300 hundred job openings in the region ranging from little to no experience companies like Meijer allowing flexible schedules that work around employee’s life and educational pursuits. For assistance on how to prepare yourself for your next position, Capital Area Michigan Works website can help job seekers of all kinds.

How do I get there?

With 32 fixed-routes, CATA provides transportation to work for many people across the Capital City region. Route 18 is the most recent addition to CATA’s list of fixed-route service. This route was designed to take employees from South Lansing to McLaren and MSU, providing a direct route for many employees living on the city’s south side. A full list of CATA’s available routes, as well as a trip-planning tool on CATA's Routes & Schedules webpage.

Do I really save money riding CATA to work?

According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), households spend 16% of their income on transportation, with 93% of that going toward buying, maintaining and operating cars. By using public transportation and living with one less car, households can save around $10,000. When finding a reliable ride to locations such as work, residents want to ensure they are getting there on time and without the financial obstacles of owning a car or utilizing rideshare services. According to Ashley, “Uber is too expensive for me to get anywhere I need to go. CATA is one of the most affordable modes of transportation available to me.” 

Looking to the future:

CATA is always looking to improve their services for riders. In coming years, big changes such as microtransit and electric buses may provide riders with additional opportunity to utlize services and taking steps towards regional mobility with seamless connections between jurisdictions

Do you have suggestions for how CATA can better get you to work? Submit your thoughts at cata.org/feedback.

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