September 23, 2014 - Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is proposing changes to the Route 10 - Sequoyah Hills to provide more opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities via Knoxville's transit system.

The proposed changes include new service to Volunteer Landing Park, Outdoor Knoxville and Sequoyah Hills Park, as well as new connections to Knoxville Station and University Commons. To serve these new destinations, the Forest Park portion of the route would be eliminated. To emphasize these new outdoor-based destinations, it is also proposed the route's name change to Route 10 - River Parks Connector, to emphasize the new outdoor-based destinations.

The proposed route was developed through a process involving a committee of the Knoxville Transportation Authority (KTA) and KAT staff. The current route has suffered for years from low performance, and the committee was brought together to develop possible solutions.

"With this proposal, we hope to appeal to additional rider groups, such as those interested in outdoor water and park activities," says Dawn Distler, City of Knoxville Director of Transit. "The route can connect our passengers at Knoxville Station, UT students and visitors with two of our most popular waterfront destinations."

The route is proposed as a demonstration project for up to one year. The Knoxville Transportation Authority will hold a public hearing to consider comments on the proposal on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in the Main Assembly Room of the City-County Building, 400 Main Street. The board will consider comments and then vote on the proposal at the meeting the following month, on October 23, 2014. If approved, the route will begin operation in January 2015, with outdoor marketing activities scheduled in the spring of 2015. Detailed information on the proposed route and schedule are available on KAT's website, www.katbus.com.

The public is encouraged to comment. Comments can be made by clicking the "Contact us" link on KAT's website; by calling 865-637-3000, by writing to KAT, 301 Church Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee 37915 or by attending the public hearing.