Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority

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

Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA)
Founded1973; 51 years ago (1973)
HeadquartersChattanooga, Tennessee
Service areaCity of Chattanooga, Hamilton County and surrounding areas
Service type
AllianceLookout Mountain Incline Railway
Chattanooga Parking Authority
Routes15
Depots1617 Wilcox Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37406
1362 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 34702
Fleet105
Annual ridershipapprox. 3 million
Fuel typeElectric
Natural Gas
Diesel
Hybrid
Chief executiveCharles D. Frazier
Board of DirectorsJohan 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
Websitegocarta.org

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

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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

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As of January 26, 2024[1]

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

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As of 26 January 2024, fares rates for their respectable services are:[2]

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

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References

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  1. ^ "Routes". CARTA. Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Fares". CARTA. Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
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