Due to a national vehicle shortage, CATA has recently acquired vehicles in a variety of colors to continue to provide the best possible service to riders. Spec-Tran customers may see grey, white or black vans with CATA’s wordmark displayed on them to service clients. Operators will continue to provide an excellent customer experience and follow existing protocols.
Spec-Tran is CATA’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit service for people unable to use CATA’s fixed-route system. This is an advance reservation, curb-to-curb service that uses small low-floor vans and lift-equipped buses to transport customers.
Spec-Tran customers must be certified in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please download the ADA pre-certification application (PDF).
Service Area
Spec-Tran service is available throughout Lansing and East Lansing and in Delhi, Delta, Lansing and Meridian townships. The service-area boundaries are outlined on this map. Ride reservations will be limited to the service area. No exceptions will be allowed. Customers outside the service area may transfer from other services (such as those indicated on the map) to Spec-Tran at one of the connection points identified on the map.
Service Hours
Spec-Tran operates seven days a week during the same hours as CATA fixed-route service. For specific hours, call 517-394-CATA.
CATA services, including Spec-Tran, do not operate on any of the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Easter Sunday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
Paying For Your Ride
Spec-Tran fare is $2.50 for each one-way ride.
You can pay for your Spec-Tran fare with:
- Cash (you must have the exact fare; drivers cannot make change)
- Pre-paid Spec-Tran punch cards
- Blue Spec-Tran tokens
For more information on fares, discounts, and buying punch cards online, visit our fares information page.
Reserving a Ride
CATA offers three options for reserving a Spec-Tran ride:
- MyRideCATA app – Download the free app to arrange trips from your mobile device. Available on both iPhone and Android devices. You’ll need your client ID and password.
- Myspectran.cata.org – Access the website from any device. You’ll need your client ID and password.
- CATA’s reservation line - Call 517-394-CATA (2282) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, year-round, including holidays.
You may schedule a ride up to 14 days in advance of the trip.
Spec-Tran service is not available on a same-day basis. Next-day ride requests must be received by 5 p.m. regardless of how the trip is reserved. Please let us know if you will be accompanied by a personal assistant or guest. Your personal assistant rides for free. You may bring one guest with you on Spec-Tran. They will pay the same fare as you.
It is important to let us know if personal assistants, guests, or children will be accompanying you at the time you make your reservation.
Canceling a Ride
CATA offers three options for canceling a Spec-Tran ride:
- MyRideCATA app – Download the free app to cancel a trip from your mobile device. Available on both iPhone and Android devices. You’ll need your client ID and password.
- Myspectran.cata.org – Access the website from any device. You’ll need your client ID and password.
- CATA’s cancellation line - Call 517-394-CATA (2282) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You’ll need your client ID.
Cancellations can be made 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of how you reserved your ride. Cancellations must be made at least 90 minutes
before the scheduled pick-up time or as soon as possible so that drivers’ schedules can be adjusted. Rides canceled less than 90 minutes in advance are considered no-shows. You will be required to provide your client identification number when canceling a ride.
Wheelchairs and Other Mobility Devices
Customers may bring aboard mobility devices such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. CATA will transport any mobility device as long as the combined weight is within the actual dimensions and design load of the vehicle.
As a courtesy to other passengers in the vehicle, customers are asked to limit packages to as many as they and/or their personal care assistant or companion can carry on board in one trip.
Personal Care Assistants
ADA-certified customers who qualify for a Personal Care Assistant, or PCA, indicated with a checkbox on the ADA card, may bring a PCA on all CATA services, including fixed route, free of charge. Customers should expect to show an ADA card upon boarding.
Customers wishing to bring a PCA on a demand-response service like Spec-Tran should let their call-taker know they’ll be traveling with assistance when scheduling their ride.
Service Animals
ADA regulations define a service animal as any animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. Service animals are welcome on all CATA vehicles.
- Service animals must be clean and well-groomed.
- Service animals should be leashed and under the owner’s control. Customers should not ask the driver to take the animal’s leash or harness or to assist in the care of the animal.
- The customer is responsible for knowing the best way for the animal to board the vehicle.
- Service animals are expected to sit on the floor of the vehicle.
- Animals that display disruptive or threatening behavior will not be allowed on any CATA service or property.
Spec-Tran Guide
For a detailed Spec-Tran guide, download the Spec-Tran Brochure (PDF) (updated April, 2022), or call the Spec-Tran office at 517-394-CATA (2282).
Audio Schedule for Spec-Tran Guide
Download the Spec-Tran audio schedule (20.1 MB). Looking for audio schedules for other routes? Access all audio schedules on our Disability Services page.
Cameras on Board Paratransit Vehicles
In April 2018 CATA contracted with Transdev, an international public transit services company, to assist with transporting CATA’s paratransit customers. With this new partnership comes a new initiative—cameras on board.
For the safety of our drivers, passengers and community, all small buses and minivans operated by Transdev will be equipped with technology that records audio and video of activities occurring inside and/or outside the vehicle. This technology is powered by Lytx in partnership with Transdev and CATA.