Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) has announced the introduction of katpay, an advanced fare payment system, beginning October 23, 2024. Designed to enhance the convenience and affordability for passengers, this system incorporates fare capping, ensuring riders always pay the lowest possible fare without needing to purchase daily or monthly passes upfront. With this system, passengers will not exceed a charge of $2 per day or $30 over a 30-day period.
Isaac Thorne, Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville, expressed, “Our new katpay system allows passengers to pay as they go, ensuring that they pay the best possible rate every time they board a bus. This system is a huge step forward in making public transit accessible and affordable for all of Knoxville.”
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The key features of katpay include fare capping, guaranteed savings, and significant annual savings for frequent users. Riders have the potential to save between $160 to $370 annually by utilizing this new system.
katpay offers two options for passengers:
1. **katpay Mobile Account**: Available through the Transit app, passengers can create an account, add funds, and use a mobile barcode for bus boarding. The Transit app is available for free download.
2. **katpay Reloadable Card**: This card can be obtained from KAT Customer Service. After setting up an account and registering the card online, riders can tap the card when boarding. The first card is free until May 1, 2025, upon registration, and customers can receive a $4 credit.
While it is not mandatory to create a katpay account, doing so provides the benefit of freezing the account in case of card loss, offering a security measure until a replacement card is issued.
To add funds to a katpay account, users can use the Transit app, the katpay Web Portal, KAT Customer Service, or participating retail outlets. Similarly, the katpay card can be reloaded via the web portal, customer service, or retail locations. More information on retail locations is available on the KAT website.
KAT offers several promotions for katpay users, including a $4 credit for new card purchases and mobile account setups from October 23, 2024, to May 1, 2025. A ticket exchange program is also available until February 2025 for converting unused tickets into katpay account credit. Discounted fares are accessible for eligible riders by contacting KAT Customer Service.
For more details on katpay and its features, visit KATBus.com.
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