KAT ADA Services

KAT offers a variety of services for persons with disabilities in the Knoxville community. All of our regular, fixed route bus service is lift-equipped, and we additionally offer door-to-door service with

our LIFT vehicles for certified riders.
The information below explains our various programs and services.

A large portion of the buses that run on fixed routes throughout Knoxville are equipped with a hydraulic lift for wheelchair passengers. Our route schedules indicate which buses are lift equipped with the __ symbol. Bus operators are trained in operating the hydraulic lift, which is located at the back door of most buses.
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1. To find out about routes and schedules, call our information line at 637-3000 (TTY 525-1525) or pick up route schedules at major grocery stores or other public buildings (City-County Building, libraries, etc.). If you are a rider who uses a wheelchair, look on the timetable to be sure that the route and time you want has a wheelchair symbol. Or, if you are calling our customer information line, ask your information specialist to check that for you.

2. Be at you bus stop around 3-5 minutes early. Stand where you can be clearly seen by the bus operator.

3. When your bus arrives, the operator will immediately begin operation of the lift or ramp. Just follow the bus operator's instructions and soon you will be safely secured in your seat.

4. To exit the bus, push the rubber strip located next to your seat. This will ring a bell indicating to the operator that you wish to exit at the next stop. The operator will remove your wheelchair's safety straps, and operate the lift to let you exit the bus.
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In addition to KAT's in house training program. KAT offers free ride photo I.D. cards for agency personnel for use in client training. These cards enable agency personnel to ride free if they are using the bus to train clients. The ID card is free and information on the photo ID program is contained below.
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KAT's customer information service also offers information for the deaf, using a TTY. Persons who are deaf or hearing impaired can call 525-1525 to obtain information on routes and schedules, fares, and any other information about KAT.
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KAT offers bus hailers for persons with visual impairments. These hailers show the route number in bold, large-print letters and feature the matching Braille code. Hailers are held up at the bus stop by the person catching the bus, to indicate to the bus operator which bus they are looking for. Complete sets or partial sets of bus hailers are available from KAT. Please call the marketing department at 215-7800 for further information.
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KAT offers a training program for first-time riders, in cooperation with area agencies. KAT will hold pre-scheduled training programs that last approximately one hour for small groups of individuals accompanied by an agency staff member. The training session includes reading schedules and timetables, calling the customer information line, reading a bus stop sign, catching the bus, paying the fare, and exiting the bus. For information on this service, contact the KAT marketing department at 215-7800.
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Fare for riders with disabilities as well as the elderly and students are discounted to half of the regular fare. The discounted cost to ride a regular route bus is 75 cents with a 25 cent transfer. However, a Medicare card or photo ID from KAT is generally required to ride for this fare.
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Bus operators will request to see a KAT I.D. (or Medicare card) for passengers who ride for half fare.* Photo I.D. cards are made on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. at KAT's main offices, located at 1135 Magnolia Avenue. The cost of the pass is $2.00. For a person with disabilities to obtain a pass, KAT requires proof of disability. The following are accepted as proof of disability:

KAT also offers photo I.D.'s for temporary disabilities. These also require an official letter or signature on an application from a physician, authorized agency, or an official court document.

*KAT LIFT cards cannot be substituted for KAT Photo I.D. cards to ride for half fare on regular route buses. However, a LIFT card accompanied by another type of identification can be used as proof of disability in obtaining a KAT photo I.D. card.

(All KAT printed materials are available in a variety of formats for persons with disabilities. Call 215-7800 for details.)
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	History & Interesting KAT Facts		Overview of KAT Services
	Company Information		Easy Steps to Riding KAT
	News & Links		Customer Service
	Bikes on KAT		Services for Riders with Disabilities
	Fares and Passes		Rider Alerts

Page updated 03.03.09
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