Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority

Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA)

Founded	1973 (1973)
Headquarters	Chattanooga, Tennessee
Service area	City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County and surrounding areas
Service type	Fixed Route Microtransit CARTA Care-A-Van Shuttle service MOCS Express for the UTC
Alliance	Lookout Mountain Incline Railway Chattanooga Parking Authority
Routes	15
Depots	1617 Wilcox Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37406 1362 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 34702
Fleet	105
Annual ridership	approx. 3 million
Fuel type	Electric Natural Gas Diesel Hybrid
Chief executive	Charles D. Frazier
Board of Directors	Johan de Nysschen, Chairman Evann Freeman, Vice-Chairman Arcie Reeves, Secretary Patricia McKoy, Treasurer Charita Allen Stephen Culp Corey Evatt Bill Nye Daniela Peterson LeAndrea Sanderfur
Website	gocarta.org

The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is the mass transit provider for Chattanooga, Tennessee and its vicinity.

Public transportation first appeared on the streets of Chattanooga on September 4, 1875, utilizing horse-drawn trollies. The two main routes followed Market Street and East Ninth Street (now Martin Luther King Boulevard). In 1889, the trolleys were replaced with electric streetcars. With the advent of the internal combustion engine, buses began to appear more frequently. In 1941, Southern Coach Lines took over the public transit operations, and the last streetcar ran in 1946.

City control

In 1973, the City of Chattanooga purchased the assets of the former Southern Coach Lines, and formed the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority.

CARTA operates 15 bus routes, trimmed down from 30, as some routes have been consolidated or eliminated. Since 1992, CARTA has operated a free downtown shuttle bus service, utilizing electric buses, which runs between the Chattanooga Choo Choo (the former Terminal Station) and the Tennessee Aquarium. Public parking is available at both locations. CARTA owns and operates the historic Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, which ascends from the St. Elmo neighborhood to the town of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee as well as the Chattanooga Parking Authority. CARTA also provides paratransit van services, called CARTA Care-A-Van.

List of routes

As of January 26, 2024

1. Alton Park

Chattanooga Choo Choo, The Villages at Alton Park, Piney Woods, Wheeler Homes, Erlanger Community Health Center (Southside), Alton Park Recreation Center, Howard School of Academics & Technology, and Food City.

2. North Chattanooga (FREE, part of the shuttle service)

North Market Street, North Shore Market, Coolidge Park, Renaissance Park, Spears Avenue, Cherokee Boulevard, CADAS, Johnson Mental Health Center, North Chattanooga Recreation Center

3. Enterprise South

Hamilton County Dept. of Education, Amazon Fulfillment Center, Volkswagen Group of America

4. Eastgate/Hamilton Place

UT-Chattanooga, UTC Place, Client Services Building/Human Services, Tennessee Temple University, Brainerd Road, Eastgate Town Center, Hamilton Place Mall, Walmart, Lee Highway, Parkridge Hospital, Warner Park

5/6. CARTA GO, East Brainerd/North Brainerd (Microtransit)

Eastgate Town Center, Brainerd High School, North Brainerd Community, Eastwood Manor, Dalewood Middle School, Woodmoore School, Foxwood Plaza, Wilson Air Center, Hamilton Place Mall, East Brainerd Road, Gunbarrel Road, Gunbarrel Pointe, Memorial Atrium, Erlanger East, McCutcheon Road, Health Center at Standifer Place, Rainbow Creek Apartments, U.S. Express, Social Security Office

9. East Lake

Chattanooga Choo Choo, Main Street, Dodds Avenue, Goodwill Industries, East Side Community Center, East Lake Courts, East Lake Academy of Fine Arts

10A. East Chattanooga-Avondale

UT-Chattanooga, Avondale, Erlanger Community Health Center (Dodson Ave.), Erlanger Medical Center, Hamilton County Health Department, Hardy Elementary School, Warner Park

10C. East Chattanooga-Campbell St.

UT-Chattanooga, Erlanger Medical Center, Hamilton County Health Department, Campbell Street, Highway 58, Warner Park, Erlanger Community Health Center (Dodson Ave.)

10G. East Chattanooga-Glenwood

UT-Chattanooga, Glenwood, Erlanger Medical Center, Hamilton County Health Department, Memorial Hospital, Parkwood Nursing Home, Parkridge Medical Center, Warner Park

13. Rossville

East Lake Courts, 23rd Street, Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Senior Neighbors, Whiteside Faith Manor

14. "Mocs Express" (free shuttle for UT-Chattanooga students, faculty and staff.)

UTC Campus, UTC Place, Engel Stadium, Downtown Chattanooga

15. St. Elmo (FREE, part of the shuttle service)

St. Elmo Ave and Broad Street

16. Northgate

Northgate Mall, Hixson Pike, Riverview, Highland Plaza, Lowe's, Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Stockdale's

21. Golden Gateway

Boynton Terrace, College Hill Courts, Chattanooga Convention Center, Jaycee Towers Apartments, Overlook Apartments, Finley Stadium

28. Amnicola Highway

Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Police Services Center

Fares

As of 26 January 2024, fares rates for their respectable services are:

Fixed Routes -

• Adult: $1.50
• Child (under 6): FREE with paying passenger, limit 3.
• Senior Citizens (Ages 65+): $0.75 (CARTA Special Fare I.D. Card Required+)
• Persons with Disability: $0.75 (CARTA Special Fare I.D. Card Required+)
• Students: $0.75 (CARTA Student Bye Pass Card Required for students in Grades 6-12)
• Veterans: FREE (Military ID required)

+Medicare card is accepted as proof of eligibility for the CARTA Special Fare ID Card.

CARTA Care-A-Van -

• One way: $2.50
• Round Trip: $5.00

Specials -

• 24 Hour Unlimited Ride Pass: $4
• 7 Day Unlimited Ride Pass: $15
• 31 Day Unlimited Ride Pass: $50

See also

• List of bus transit systems in the United States

External links

• Official website