Mobile Ticketing
How to Ride Quick Links
You can now PLAN your trip, PAY your fare, and SCAN your ticket, all in our official app, Transit! Download it for free today!
All fare types are available through mobile ticketing, including a reduced fare option for qualified riders. If you are already qualified for discounted fare, please contact Customer Care at 865-637-3000 to enable discounted tickets in your Transit account (please download Transit and create your account before calling). If you would like to apply for discounted fare, please check the eligibility requirements and follow application instructions on our Fares page.
If you would like to use mobile tickets, but prefer to pay cash, you can do so at the Customer Service Counter during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm).
Note: Mobile Tickets are available only for our regular, fixed-route service. They are not available for use on the LIFT.
How to Purchase and Use a Mobile Ticket
Download the Transit app. The app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play.
Create your account. Open the Transit app and tap on the Settings icon in the top left of the screen. At the bottom of the page, select KAT from the available services tab. Follow the prompts to create an account.
Buying tickets. Select Buy Ticket on the home screen and then choose your preferred ticket.
Finalize your purchase. Add your credit card details and confirm your purchase.
Using your ticket. Ticket will appear on the bottom of your home screen OR view all tickets under the My Tickets section on the settings page. Choose the pass you want to use and tap Activate. ONLY ACTIVATE YOUR TICKET JUST BEFORE YOU BOARD.
To activate multiple passes, tap Activate for each one individually. When you scan your pass, you’ll be able to switch between them.
Get on board! Scan the activated ticket on the validators onboard our buses. When the light turns green on the validator, you’re all set! Enjoy your ride!
If you scan a discounted ticket, the light on the validator will turn yellow. You will not need to show ID when using mobile tickets. If you purchase and scan a discounted ticket for another passenger, that person will need to show ID. If they are not eligible for discounted tickets, you must purchase them a full fare ticket.
If the validator light turns red, your ticket is not valid. Make sure you are scanning your ticket from within the Transit app. If you still encounter a problem with your mobile ticket, please call customer care at 865-637-3000.
For more information on how to use KAT’s mobile ticketing platform, read our Mobile Ticketing FAQ.
Mobile Ticket Rules
Once activated, a single use ticket (1-ride pass), will time out and be removed from your app after 15 minutes (the activation window), and you will no longer be able to use it. Tickets that are activated too early will not be replaced.
Multi-use tickets (1-day and 30-day passes) will remain active for the full time period the ticket allows. After being used, the ticket may be closed, and the ticket bar on the home screen will now say “SHOW” to indicate you have an active ticket that can be reused.
You must scan your mobile ticket from within the Transit app. Screen shots and video recordings will not be accepted.
All mobile tickets expire whether they are used or not. 1-ride and 1-day passes expire after 90 days, and 20-ride and 30-day passes expire after 180 days.
Please check for holiday or other limited schedule service prior to purchasing or activating a ticket.
By purchasing and using mobile tickets, you are agreeing to the ticket rules. Mobile tickets are not refundable. Please see KAT’s full Terms & Conditions for more details.