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Service Change

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Reduced Service Schedules in Effect

Effective Monday, August 29, 2022, reduced service schedules went into effect on some KAT bus routes. Click here for more information.

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.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1890

Knoxville Streetcars are converted from animal to electric power. The first electric streetcar ran from Gay Street to Lake Ottosee (now Chilhowee Park).
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1895

Knoxville Electric Streetcar Company changes its name to the Knoxville Traction Company.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1902

Knoxville Traction Company is sold to United Railway and Light Company of America.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1904

Knoxville Traction Company changes its name to the Knoxville Railway and Light Company.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1910

Knoxville had 42 miles of track and was carrying 11 million passengers per year.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1921

National Power and Light Company purchases the streetcar system and changes its name to Knoxville Power and Light Company.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1929

The first buses were used, serving on feeder routes for the streetcar system.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

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.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1938

The Tennessee Coach Company buys Knoxville's public transportation system and changes its name to Knoxville Transit Lines (KTL).
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1947

Electric streetcars made their last run in Knoxville on August 1.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1958

Bus service was first added to the University of Tennessee.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

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.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1972

The first air-conditioned GMC buses arrived in Knoxville.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1975

KTC moves to Jessamine Street.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1978

The Knoxville Transit Authority is renamed the Knoxville Transportation Authority, and KTC changes its name to K-Trans.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1989

K-Trans moved into a new facility on Magnolia Avenue, and the downtown transfer point is moved to Summer Place and Walnut Avenue.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1990

The new office and maintenance facility is dedicated to Reverend W T. Crutcher, chairman and long-time member of the KTA.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1995

K-Trans became Knoxville Area Transit (KAT).
January 01, 2021
12 AM

1997

KAT begins neighborhood service using minibusses in Sequoyah Hills and Lincoln Park, and the KTA and Trolley Board consolidate functions.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

2001

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was created by city ordinance.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

2003

KAT begins Clean Fuels Program with propane-powered vehicles.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

2004

KAT is named APTA's North American Transit System of the Year.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

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.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

2011

Automated Vehicle Locator (AVL) system is implemented improving system efficiency.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

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.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

2014

KAT begins operating Hybrid Electric vehicles, implements a Semester Pass Program, and the City established a Director of Transit position.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

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.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

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.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

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.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

2021

KAT introduces 12 all-electric buses into our fleet.
January 01, 2021
12 AM

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301 Church Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37915

General Office: 865-215-7800

Office hours: Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4:30 pm