KAT proposes returning to some pre-pandemic service levels

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville Area Transit is proposing a return to pre-pandemic service levels, with a few changes, starting on April 8.

Currently, KAT service mostly ends at 5:15 p.m. on Sundays. But with workforce levels increasing in the Knoxville area, the transit system is proposing buses run later with some route changes to accommodate an increase in volume. A permanent change to Route 34 was previously approved as a demonstration project, KAT said.

A list of the proposed changes is below.

• All Sunday service returns to pre-Covid service spans, with service from 8:15 a.m. – 8:15 p.m. 
• Extend the following routes in the evenings on weekdays and Saturdays to the final 11:15 p.m. trip:
  • Route 17 - Sutherland
  • Route 20 - Central
  • Route 23 - Millertown
  • Route 32 - Dandridge
  • Route 33 - MLK
  • Route 42 - Fort Sanders/UT Medical Centers
• Returning Route 42 – Ft. Sanders/UT Medical Centers to 30-minute service on weekdays.
• Extend Route 34 – Burlington in the evenings to a 10:15 p.m. trip on weekdays and Saturdays.
• Return Route 13 – Beaumont to regular service levels on weekdays.
• Adjustments to South Knoxville routes: 
  • Adjust the Routing on Route 41 – Chapman Highway
    • Departing and returning to downtown via the Gay Street Bridge, using Hill to State Street to the platform.  The proposal also includes adjusting the first outbound timepoint by one minute earlier to allow additional time in the route. 
    • Changing the routing at Majestic Grove Shopping Center to all right turns, allowing for more consistent service. 
  • Removing a one-block diversion on Route 45 – Vestal along Flenniken.
  • Route 40 – South Knoxville and Route 45 – Vestal also proposed to depart downtown via Gay Street bridge, and return the same way, using State Street to Church Avenue in hopes of avoiding traffic and routing directly to the platform.
  • Return the last inbound trip on Routes 40 and 45 on weekdays and Saturdays, which was removed during workforce shortages.
• Making the demonstration routing on Route 34 – Burlington the official routing.  You will recall that the board approved a demonstration detour for this route in August of last year, due to issues with on-time performance.  KAT proposes that this demonstration routing become the formal routing.

KTA will consider the proposals at its regular meeting on Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. in the City County Building. Anyone who wants to comment on the changes can do so by calling 865-637-3000, or by reaching out online.