Schedules & Maps

Transportation Services

Knoxville Area Transit provides a variety of outstanding services to get you where you need to go. KAT operates fixed route buses, trolleys, and paratransit service across the City of Knoxville. We carry around 3 million passengers each year and strive to provide a comfortable, safe and professional transportation experience.

As a result of our current workforce shortage, several bus routes are currently operating on a reduced service schedules. Click here for details on reduced service schedules.

Fixed Bus Routes

KAT’s Fixed Route service provides quality transportation throughout the City of Knoxville. We believe in safe and reliable public transit for all Knoxville residents and visitors. With 23 routes servicing over 1,100 bus stops, KAT reaches more than 80,000 Knoxville residents within a quarter mile of a bus stop.

Free Trolley

The Knoxville Trolley is one of the most popular symbols of our city, and it’s completely free for all passengers.

There are three trolley routes that serve Downtown Knoxville and the UT area. Trolley maps are available at several locations throughout downtown, including Knoxville Station Transit Center.

• Blue Line | Knoxville Station, The Civic Coliseum and waterfront pathway.
• Green Line | The Old City and Gay Street
• Orange Line | University of Tennessee and Downtown

Please Note: Trolleys do not run on Saturdays when there is a UT home football game or on Sundays.

Paratransit: The LIFT

KAT offers paratransit service for those who are unable to use regular fixed-route buses. The LIFT, a door-to-door service, is provided by reservation only, and passengers must be certified by KAT to use the service. All LIFT passengers must re-apply every two years in order to keep their certification current. The LIFT handbook (PDF) contains detailed information on using the service. Anyone wishing to apply for LIFT certification should read the handbook prior to filling out the application (PDF).

Note: We are unable to accept electronic LIFT applications as a portion of the application must be filled out and signed by the applicant’s healthcare provider.

LIFT Fare

The fare to use the LIFT service for one ride is $2.

Quick Tip

Trips must be scheduled by 4 p.m. the day before service is requested. In order to ensure your trip is arranged as close as possible to your desired schedule, we recommend at least 7 days advance notice. Trips may be booked up to 10 days in advance. On the day of your trip, be ready to go early and have your fare available. Cost for the service is $2 each way ($4 round-trip).

Visiting From Out of Town?

KAT will accept documentation from your home public transit entity that shows you are ADA paratransit eligible.Please submit your completed LIFT application by email to katlift@katbus.com OR by fax to 865-215-7820.

Contact Us

If you have any other questions or need further information about the LIFT, please call 865-215-7850.

Please submit your completed LIFT application by email to katlift@katbus.com OR by fax to 865-215-7820.

Holiday Schedules

Holidays KAT is Closed

New Year’s Day
Independence Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Holidays KAT Runs Sunday Schedules

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Memorial Day
Labor Day
Juneteenth
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve

KAT’s administrative offices and the Customer Service Counter are closed on all the holidays listed above.

Football Service Options & Game Detours/Delays

Football Shuttle Service

Every year, hundreds of Vols fans use public transit to get to the game and back home. KAT currently offers several options for passengers to enjoy football games at Neyland Stadium in a way that’s safe, easy and affordable.

KAT provides shuttle service to all Saturday University of Tennessee home football games during the regular fall football season. If you need more information, please call 865-637-3000.

Using Fixed Routes to Get To (and From) a Vols Football Game

To help fans get to games using regular bus service, Knoxville Area Transit has created Passenger Playbooks: special color-coded cheat sheets to get to and from the game using five key routes. The special ‘Passenger Playbooks’ include information on travel time, where to catch the bus along the route, cost, and how to get back after the game.

Trolleys

Trolley service is suspended on Saturdays when there is a UT football game at home.

Saturday UT Football Home Game Detours

On Saturdays when UT has a home football game, the routes listed below are scheduled to go on detour at the end of each football game. EXACT TIMING IS TO BE DETERMINED based on the scheduled game time, how long the game lasts, when Knoxville Police Department closes down roads and game day traffic.

Route 17: Sutherland

• Outbound: From Knoxville Station, left on Church, left on Hall of Fame, left on Summit Hill onto Western to regular route
• Inbound: From Western continue onto Summit Hill, right on Hall of Fame, right on Church into Knoxville Station

Route 41: Chapman Highway

• Outbound: From Church, left on Gay, right on Cumberland, left onto Henley to regular route
• Inbound: From Henley, right on Main, left on State, right on Church into Knoxville Station

Route 42: Fort Sanders/ UT Hospital

• Outbound: From Church, left on Gay, right on Cumberland, left onto US 129/Alcoa Hwy
• Inbound: From Cumberland, continue straight onto into Main, left on State, right on Church into Knoxville Station

Route 45: Vestal

• Outbound: From Church, left on Gay, right on Cumberland, left onto Henley to regular route
• Inbound: From Henley, right on Main, left on State, right on Church into Knoxville Station

*Other routes may be affected if KPD shuts down additional roads.

It is possible these detours may begin earlier if KPD needs to shut down roads due to traffic or other safety concerns. This is especially likely on rivalry game days when we play Florida, Alabama and Kentucky.

Game Day Delays

Please expect delays due to game day traffic on our fixed route service, especially on Route 11: Kingston Pike. We recommend you plan ahead and leave early for your destination. We also recommend you download our free app, Transit, to track your bus in real time.

For any questions, please call 865-637-3000.

Snow Routes

Safety is our main concern, especially during winter, when the weather can create dangerous road conditions.

In the event of a snowfall, when road conditions become dangerous, KAT may operate on one of two service levels, “Snow Routes” or “Severe Snow Routes,” depending on how difficult the weather conditions become. Click the button below to learn how each KAT route is affected when operating on Snow Routes.

When weather conditions worsen, tune into a local radio station or TV channel to find out if KAT will operate on Snow Routes. The most current information can be found on our website, our Facebook page, our Twitter, or use our official app, Transit. For more information, call us at 865-637-3000.