The Capital Area Transportation Authority will implement several s

The Capital Area Transportation Authority has launched this year's holiday campaign, “Experience the gift of the season” by offering riders a chance to enjoy free rides in celebration of the winter holidays.

Throughout December, CATA will continue its longtime tradition of surprising customers with the gift of a fare-free trip when it’s least expected. Six fixed-route buses and six paratransit vehicles will feature wrapped fareboxes and validators designed to look like gift boxes, adding a festive surprise for those onboard.

As a result of the recent failure of Delta Township's public transit millage proposal and the lack of alternative local funding to support public transportation services in the township, the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) must reduce transit operations in the area beginning Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

Part of the reductions include pilot programs such as the Route 3 Extension to Marketplace Boulevard and the expanded Spec-Tran service area, which will end and revert to their pre-extension boundaries prior to May 2023.

The Capital Area Transportation Authority will close its regular operations on Thursday, Nov. 27, in observance of Thanksgiving Day. CATA’s Fixed Route, Spec-Tran, Rural Service, Connector, Redi-Ride, Lot Link, Night Owl, Shopping Bus and CATA Rydz will not operate.  

Limited holiday service will operate 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for customers who have pre-reserved trips. Ride reservations will be accepted through Nov. 24. Call 517-394-2282 to reserve a ride.  

Limited holiday service will be offered on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, while all other CATA services – Fixed Route, Spec-Tran, Rural Service, Connector, Redi-Ride, Lot Link, Night Owl, Shopping Bus and CATA Rydz – will not operate.  

To support the ongoing needs of riders, current CATA and EATRAN services in Delta Township will continue operating unchanged for the time being, including fixed-route service, Spec-Tran, CATA Rydz and the regional connectors.

However, without local funding to support operational costs, CATA’s Route 3 Extension and expanded Spec-Tran service area in Delta Township will end and revert to pre-extension boundaries following the holiday season.

Following the unofficial election results in Eaton County from the Nov. 4 election, in which Delta Township voters did not approve the proposed public transportation millage (53% to 47%), CATA has issued the following statement:

To support residents affected by the loss of SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown, the tri-county region’s three transit agencies, CATA, EATRAN and Clinton Transit, are offering systemwide free rides to local food pantry locations starting Saturday, Nov. 1. Free rides will remain available until SNAP benefits are restored. 

Beginning Nov. 1 through Nov. 25, survey collectors will board CATA buses to conduct a federally required Title VI data collection.

The survey team with EPIC-MRA will have credentials. Each survey collector has been provided a bus pass, allowing them to ride and conduct surveys on all CATA buses, including MSU routes. To obtain a suitable sample, they may board multiple times a day, any time of day.

Program Overview