History of KAT
Transportation Methods
Through the years the methods of transportation have changed in Knoxville. Please read through our history to see where we began, the many transitions, and where we are today.
KAT Historical Timeline
1876
Horse-drawn streetcar service begins in Knoxville.
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1890
Knoxville Streetcars are converted from animal to electric power. The first electric streetcar ran from Gay Street to Lake Ottosee (now Chilhowee Park).
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1895
Knoxville Electric Streetcar Company changes its name to the Knoxville Traction Company.
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1902
Knoxville Traction Company is sold to United Railway and Light Company of America.
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1904
Knoxville Traction Company changes its name to the Knoxville Railway and Light Company.
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1910
Knoxville had 42 miles of track and was carrying 11 million passengers per year.
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1921
National Power and Light Company purchases the streetcar system and changes its name to Knoxville Power and Light Company.
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1929
The first buses were used, serving on feeder routes for the streetcar system.
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1930
Knoxville Power and Light Company changes its name to the Tennessee Public Service Company, and Knoxville's first and only electric rubber-tired coaches begin service.
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1938
The Tennessee Coach Company buys Knoxville's public transportation system and changes its name to Knoxville Transit Lines (KTL).
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1947
Electric streetcars made their last run in Knoxville on August 1.
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1958
Bus service was first added to the University of Tennessee.
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1967
Knoxville Transit Lines is sold to the City of Knoxville, and Knoxville Transit Lines (KTL) changes its name to the Knoxville Transit Corporation (KTC). The Knoxville Transit Authority is established.
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1972
The first air-conditioned GMC buses arrived in Knoxville.
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1975
KTC moves to Jessamine Street.
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1978
The Knoxville Transit Authority is renamed the Knoxville Transportation Authority, and KTC changes its name to K-Trans.
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1989
K-Trans moved into a new facility on Magnolia Avenue, and the downtown transfer point is moved to Summer Place and Walnut Avenue.
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1990
The new office and maintenance facility is dedicated to Reverend W T. Crutcher, chairman and long-time member of the KTA.
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1995
K-Trans became Knoxville Area Transit (KAT).
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1997
KAT begins neighborhood service using minibusses in Sequoyah Hills and Lincoln Park, and the KTA and Trolley Board consolidate functions.
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2001
The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was created by city ordinance.
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2003
KAT begins Clean Fuels Program with propane-powered vehicles.
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2004
KAT is named APTA's North American Transit System of the Year.
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2010
KAT begins operating out of the John J. Duncan, Jr. Knoxville Station, a brand-new, state-of-the-art, LEED-certified transit center, and KAT implements a complete fixed-route system restructure (KATamorphosis). Ridership increases every month for several years.
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2011
Automated Vehicle Locator (AVL) system is implemented improving system efficiency.
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2013
KAT installs the first of several SuperStops to enhance passenger experience at outlying transfer points, and KAT improves frequencies on major routes to every 15 minutes during peak hours.
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2014
KAT begins operating Hybrid Electric vehicles, implements a Semester Pass Program, and the City established a Director of Transit position.
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2015
KAT restructures Trolley routing with Green Line, Blue Line and Orange Line, and KAT receives the "Shining Star" award from the Federal Transit Administration.
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2016
KAT Implemented Google Transit, a trip planning feature on the website, and awarded a contract to develop a new website. The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is dissolved by city ordinance.
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2017
All vehicles are equipped with Wi-Fi access for passengers, a free amenity, and new distinctive Trolley signage and shelters installed. KAT named an Outstanding Public Transit System by APTA.
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2021
KAT introduces 12 all-electric buses into our fleet.
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