Due to extremely cold temperatures in the immediate forecast, Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is partnering with the Knoxville–Knox County Office of Housing Stability to provide complimentary rides to warming centers from Monday, Jan. 6, through at least Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025.
Passengers may begin requesting free rides to warming centers after 3 p.m. each afternoon. Passengers can take any route to get to the warming center of their choice, and when they board the bus, they need to notify the bus operator that they are requesting a free ride to a warming center.
“Providing free transportation to warming centers is a vital part of our mission to serve the Knoxville community," said Isaac Thorne, Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville. "During these dangerously cold temperatures, ensuring access to warm and safe shelter can save lives, and KAT is committed to supporting this critical effort.”
Warming centers open on any night that the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to drop below 25 degrees. As they have done since early December 2024, four local churches will open their doors overnight to provide a warm, indoor space. In addition, there is a Homeless Shelter overflow site located at Salvation Army. Their schedules vary and are subject to change as forecasts develop.
The locations, and the KAT routes that can be taken to them, are as follows:
South:
Vestal United Methodist, 115 Ogle Ave
Opens at 5:00 p.m.
Take KAT Route 45: Vestal – exit Ogle @ Coffee, or exit Martin Mill Pike @ Moody
West:
Cokesbury Church, 9919 Kingston Pike
Opens at 7:00 p.m.
Take KAT Route 16: Middlebrook/ Cedar Bluff – exit Cedar Bluff before/ after Kingston Pike, then walk to Kingston Pike and go west. Cokesbury church is on the right just past Perimeter Park Rd
North:
Fountain City United Methodist, 212 Hotel Rd
Opens at 9:00 p.m.
Take KAT Route 22: Broadway – exit Broadway @ Hotel
East:
Magnolia Ave United Methodist, 2700 E Magnolia Ave
Opens at 5:00 p.m.
Take KAT Route 31: Magnolia – exit Magnolia @ Harrison
Homeless shelter overflow site:
Salvation Army, 409 N Broadway
Opens at 6:00 p.m.
Take KAT Route 22: Broadway – exit Broadway @ Depot, or exit Broadway @ 5th Ave
Take KAT Route 16: Middlebrook/ Cedar Bluff - exit 5th Ave @ Broadway, or exit 5th Ave @ Cooper