The leaves are changing and the air is crisp, which means fall is pulling into the station. From colorful trail rides and football pride to tasty festivals and farmers markets, the Capital City region is full of autumn adventures.  

So, grab your sweater, hop on board and check out these must-do stops this fall.

First Stop: Scenic Rides Along the River Trail  

Location: Lansing River Trail 
Dates: Any day this fall 

Dear Capital Region Resident:

As we look toward the future of public transportation, I’m pleased to share how CATA continues to evolve to meet the needs of our community.

You’ve heard of Uber and Lyft, the two most popular ridesharing services, but there’s a new microtransit service in town, brought to you by CATA. It’s called CATA Rydz, and it’s already changing the way CATA connects you to your preferred destination via public transit.

CATA continues to collaborate with regional partners to build a strong network of interconnected public transit services.

The days of straightening bills or hearing coins fall into the farebox are becoming less common. Contactless payment is here, and CATA riders are embracing it. Since the introduction of Mobile Pay — CATA’s first contactless payment option — riders have enjoyed its convenience.

Imagine a future where your bus ride is as clean as the air you breathe — no fumes, no emissions, just smooth, quiet rides. CATA is accelerating its drive toward sustainable public transit and making significant progress toward an all-electric future. While existing hybrid-electric buses are a step in the right direction, electrifying the fleet will further reduce carbon emissions and help achieve CATA’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2035.

A piece of Lansing’s history gets new life.

In the fall of 2024, CATA purchased the former Greyhound bus station at 511 S. Washington Ave. in downtown Lansing, along with two adjacent vacant lots, to expand its community reach and impact. This project will elevate CATA’s administrative operations and public services, strengthening its presence in the heart of downtown Lansing.

Once a proud landmark, Walter French Junior High School stood at the corner of Mt. Hope Avenue and Cedar Street in south Lansing, its towering presence a symbol of education and community from 1925 until its closure in 1981. For decades, thousands of students passed through its halls, but after the school’s closure, the building became a shadow of its former self ultimately being left vacant and in disrepair.

Across Lansing’s south side, Little Dreamers Early Learning Center and the region’s public transit system is helping families, educators and children thrive. Whether by eliminating barriers to work and childcare, or by fostering a sense of belonging, CATA and Little Dreamers show how transportation and education can come together to strengthen community in every sense of the word.