CATA serves people of every stripe and in all walks of life from students to families, professionals to retirees, and everyone in between. It’s no secret that many riders represent underserved and marginalized communities and supporting them is a collaborative effort.

Do you remember a time when you felt lost, alone and confused by new surroundings? This is a common experience for newcomers to the United States, including those relocating to the Capital region. Fortunately, CATA and its partners are here to help.

CATA continues its commitment to improve customer experience by introducing new ways to pay for a ride. After upgrading fareboxes in the spring of 2022, CATA is now focused on contactless payment options, which will be rolled out in two phases:

Phase I - Mobile Pay App (Fall 2024)

This fall, CATA will launch a new service to help non-and limited- English speaking customers overcome language barriers. Language Line will offer translation and interpretation services in nearly 250 languages, including American Sign Language.

CATA is expanding its reach with an innovative new microtransit service designed to revolutionize the way people utilize public transportation. Whether you're a stone's throw from a bus stop or miles away, CATA's latest initiative promises seamless journeys from your doorstep to your destination.

Driven by its commitment to provide a safe experience for customers, employees and the public, CATA is expanding the use of onboard cameras.

CATA is making strides toward its goal of fleet electrification and achieving net-zero emissions. The expansion of its hybrid fleet has been a successful first step, and the next phase of the plan is to transition entirely to electric vehicles.

Ned Rudolph has worked as a CATA bus operator for 46 years, serving passengers with a smile since 1978. He is a lot of different things to a lot of different people — dependable, charitable and kind to name a few — but the one thing he is to everyone is a friendly face.

CATA introduced wait-stop trips for Spec-Tran customers in 2023. The program allows riders 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?

CATA is excited to announce the return of limited curb-to-curb service on select holidays in 2024, building on the success of last year’s pilot program.

This service allows passengers to reserve rides for Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Advance reservations are required and same-day bookings are not permitted. The service is available to the general public within the Spec-Tran service boundaries.