KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville Area Transit is asking the public to provide feedback on a draft of a new bus transit network. The draft was developed based on input from the public and direction from the Knoxville Transportation Authority Board.
The draft shows how the KAT bus network could run differently within its existing budget, with a shift toward routes with higher frequencies with less overall coverage.
According to the plan analysis, on average, the draft allows more people to get to more places sooner. However, some places do lose coverage, according to KAT. Different locations are highlighted in the draft to show how access to jobs and other opportunities is impacted. You can view the draft here.
"The goal with this was to try to get more people, more places, more quickly," said Belinda Woodiel-Brill, the KAT spokesperson.
Community advocate Vivian Shipe looked over the draft and said KAT is moving in the right direction but said she'd like to see KAT run buses to the county line and run 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
"Say you have to work a 3-11 job," Shipe said. "You can't get to work or get back home."
Woodiel-Brill said KAT would like to expand, but staying within the current budget restricts the expansions they can make. There are multiple opportunities throughout the month of February to provide feedback to KAT.
There will be a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 8 from noon to 1 p.m. You can register here.
There will be two in-person public meetings at the Knoxville Station Transit Center's Community Room at 301 Church Avenue. The first meeting is taking place on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The second meeting is taking place on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There is also a survey that KAT encourages the public to fill out.