Beyond the Bus

Nearly a half-century ago, CATA launched a bold experiment to bring electric-powered buses to the streets of Lansing. The program was a spectacular failure because electric vehicle (EV) technology just wasn’t ready to support the demands of daily public transportation. CATA has come a long way since those early electric adventures and is now poised to take a giant leap forward by bringing the latest generation of EVs to its passenger fleet. Adopting EV technology will result in significant benefits to the community and planet by reducing CATA’s use of fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.

With the help of a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and matching funds from the Michigan Department of Transportation, CATA aims to have its first EV buses in service by next year or early in 2025.

Twelve years from now, there’s little doubt that CATA’s fleet will be fully electric. Charting the path from here to there is a key focus of CATA’s efforts to modernize operations and attain the goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2035.

This content has been published in the 2023 Community Report.

CATA continues to equip its employees with additional safety training to ensure the protection of operators, riders and the public.

The Active Violence Emergency Response Training (AVERT) offered by the national Health & Safety Institute is a program focused on teaching proactive awareness, and how to react and protect oneself and others in the event of an active-violence situation. It also includes CPR, choking response and AED training certification.

Taught by certified instructors, the goal of this training is to ensure that all employees have the awareness and tools they need to keep themselves and customers safe in an emergency. No matter their role, CATA staff — operators, mechanics and administrative employees — will be able to use this training to recognize when an emergency is occurring and how to safely respond to the situation. Over 80 percent of CATA employees have already been trained. The remainder of the workforce should complete the mandatory course by the end of summer 2023.

AVERT Tac Pacs are aboard every CATA bus and at CATA facilities in addition to standard first-aid kits. A Tac Pac contains specialized first aid equipment to help stop bleeding associated with severe injuries.

As CATA continues to evaluate opportunities to protect the community and employees, the AVERT program offers another tool in CATA’s toolbox for providing emergency response.

This content has been published in the 2023 Community Report.

CATA understands that life is full of unexpected stops and starts. That's why CATA introduced wait-stop trips for Spec-Tran riders in 2023. With this new program, riders are now able to make brief stops during their scheduled trips. Need to drop off or pick up a child from school or day care before heading to work? Want to grab groceries on your way back home? No problem. Wait-stop trips allow riders to seamlessly incorporate these stops while staying on the same Spec-Tran vehicle. It's all about providing flexibility and convenience.

Booking A Wait-Stop Trip:

To schedule a wait-stop trip on Spec-Tran, simply call CATA’s Paratransit Department at 517-394-2282 (CATA). Please note that same-day service is not available, and next-day ride requests must be received by 5 p.m.

Best Practices for a Successful Wait-Stop Trip:

To make the most of your wait-stop experience, CATA recommends the following:

🚀 Select the most efficient entrance or exit for a seamless experience.

📞 Make arrangements in advance, such as calling stores or restaurants to ensure items are ready for pickup.

🗣️ Inform establishments that you are using Spec-Tran and let them know about the limited wait time.

This content has been published in the 2023 Community Report.