A new Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) media campaign is aimed at introducing KAT's improved services that began earlier this summer. The models featured in the campaign, in print, billboards, bus side ads and social media - might just as easily be seen on the bus. These aren't professional models or stock photos; these are KAT passengers. The new KAT marketing campaign features more than a dozen passengers, demonstrating how they use their commute, while also promoting service improvements such as 15 minute service on Kingston Pike, or new 30-minute service on Central Avenue.

Using KAT's facebook page and Smart Trips partners, KAT asked people to explain how they use their commute. Passengers submitted photos of themselves on the buses working, reading or relaxing. The selected passengers then sat through a photo session, which resulted in the ad campaign.

"Who better to tell the public about our more frequent service than our own customers?" says Cindy McGinnis, KAT General Manager. "Since the opening of Knoxville Station, we have continued to see more and more new faces on our buses, and our ridership numbers reflect that. This improved service is a response to this consistent passenger increase."

KAT introduced new services in June, which increased frequencies on many major routes and added new routes, including:

Buses every 15 minutes during peak commuting hours on Kingston Pike, Broadway and Magnolia buses Buses every 30 minutes all day on Central Avenue, Chapman Highway, Dandridge Avenue and Sutherland. More frequent service in the evenings until 10:15 p.m. on Broadway, Chapman Highway, Kingston Pike and Magnolia Buses every 30 minutes on Saturdays on Kingston Pike and Magnolia New routes to the Vestal area as well as Lonas Road.

The campaign will run through the fall, with Facebook updates featuring KAT's various bus models.

For additional information on KAT routes and schedules, visit www.katbus.com.