Effective today, Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) passengers can use the Transit app not only to plan their trip and track their bus, but also to pay their fare. KAT is pleased to introduce mobile ticketing – the ability to purchase bus passes on a mobile device and use that device to scan your pass on the bus, eliminating the need for cash.
KAT partnered with Transit – already the official app of KAT – to add this additional feature, in partnership with a fare service provider, Masabi. Transit is available to download for free on both Android and Apple devices.
“We are so pleased to be offering this cash-free alternative for paying your transit fare,” says Isaac Thorne, Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville.
A video featuring Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon is posted on KAT’s YouTube Channel to show how easy mobile ticketing is to use and can be found at https://youtu.be/4aT9pOpf9VU.
“This is an easy and convenient option for passengers,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon. “I have used it myself and find the cashless option another great advancement at KAT.”
The use of cash and paper tickets in the farebox on the bus will still be available. In addition, any mobile phone users who are unbanked may pay for mobile tickets with cash at KAT’s Customer Service window at Knoxville Station during regular hours. A Transit account will still be required to do this.
KAT will have staff available on the bus platform and in the lobby at Knoxville Station for the next several days to assist passengers in getting set up with the new fare payment option.
For more information about KAT’s new mobile ticketing option, view the how-to video on KAT mobile ticketing here, or visit the mobile ticketing page on KAT’s website at https://katbus.com/fares/mobile-ticketing/.
For more information on this news release, contact Belinda Woodiel-Brill at 865-215-7828 or Becca James at 865-215-7826.