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

To eliminate transportation barriers and ensure voter access, the tri-county region’s three transit agencies – CATA, EATRAN and Clinton Transit – are offering systemwide free rides for the Nov. 4 general election.  

Beginning Sept. 25, free transportation is available for tri-county residents to register to vote, return absentee ballots at drop boxes, participate in early voting and cast their ballot on Election Day. Just let the driver know you are going to register or vote when you board. No ID is required to receive a free ride.  

During MSU home football games, some routes that travel through or near MSU campus are impacted by game day detours. Significant delays may occur on these routes. 

Detours will start 5-6 hours before kickoff and operate until 2 hours after the game.

Please visit the Football Detours webpage for the MSU home game schedule, specific information on route detours and game day detour maps.

In observance of Labor Day, the Capital Area Transportation Authority will be closed Monday, Sept. 1. Fixed-Route, Spec-Tran, Rural Service, CATA Rydz, Connector, Redi-Ride, Night Owl and Shopping Bus services will not operate.

On MSU’s campus, Routes 34, 35, 36 and Lot Link will conclude at approximately 11:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 31. Campus service resumes Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 7 a.m.

CATA Rydz has been operating as a pilot program since last fall when the distinctive minivans took to the road. The app-based service provides alternatives to reaching destinations and connecting to the region’s public transit systems across three zoned areas.

The Capital Area Transportation Authority will implement service changes starting Monday, Aug. 18, affecting seven routes and services. Spartan Service will also resume on all Michigan State University campus routes and Route 26.

The following changes take effect Aug. 18:

To eliminate transportation barriers and ensure voter access, the tri-county region’s three transit agencies – CATA, EATRAN and Clinton Transit – are offering systemwide free rides to polling sites on Tuesday, Aug. 5, the day of the primary election. Just let the driver know you're going to vote when you board — no ID is required to receive a free ride.  

Now through Aug. 5, free transportation is also available to Ingham County residents who wish to vote early and to those in the tri-county area who need access to ballot boxes or to register to vote in person. 

CATA is pleased to continue its partnership with the Ingham County Fair Board, providing transportation to the Ingham County Fair throughout this year’s six-day annual event.