Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is excited to announce the launch of its new account-based fare payment system, katpay, starting October 23, 2024. This innovative system brings greater flexibility, convenience, and savings to KAT riders through fare capping.
Fare capping ensures that customers always pay the lowest fare available, eliminating the need for up-front costs associated with purchasing daily or monthly passes. The system tracks usage and stops charging passengers after they’ve reached the daily or monthly fare limit. Riders will never pay more than $2 per day or $30 in a 30-day period.
“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,” said Isaac Thorne, Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville. “This system is a huge step forward in making public transit accessible and affordable for all of Knoxville.”
Key Features of katpay:
• Fare Capping: Riders pay the lowest fare every time. The system tracks daily and monthly usage and automatically stops charging once the fare cap is reached.
• Guaranteed Savings: Customers will never pay more than $2 per day or $30 in a 30-day period. Riders qualifying for discounted fares will never pay more than $1 per day or $15 in a 30-day period.
• Savings for Frequent Riders: Riders can save an average of $160 – $370 annually by using katpay.
How It Works:
Passengers can choose between two options:
1. katpay Mobile Account in the Transit app: Riders create an account, add funds, and scan their mobile barcode every time they board a bus. Just search ‘Transit’ in your app store to download the app for free.
2. katpay Reloadable Card: Riders purchase a katpay card from KAT Customer Service, create an account and register the card in the katpay Web Portal, then tap their card on the validator every time they board the bus. A card costs $4, but the first katpay card is free through May 1, 2025 if they register their card, and contact KAT Customer Service to receive a $4 credit.
While katpay card users are not required to create an account, doing so offers protection in case of loss—the account can be frozen until customers are able to replace their card by contacting KAT Customer Service.
Easy Ways to Add Funds:
• katpay Mobile Account: Funds can be added to your katpay mobile account through the Transit app, the katpay Web Portal, at KAT Customer Service, or at participating retail locations.
• katpay Card: Reload your katpay card through the katpay Web Portal, at KAT Customer Service, or at participating retail locations.
To find the nearest retail location, visit
KATBus.com.
Special Promotion:
• katpay Cards: From October 23, 2024, to May 1, 2025, KAT is offering a $4 credit when riders purchase a katpay card, create an account and register their card.
• katpay Mobile Accounts: Similarly, users who create a mobile katpay account during this period will receive a $4 credit, after contacting KAT Customer Service.
• Ticket Exchange Program: Until February 2025, riders can trade in unused tickets and change cards for credit on their katpay account.
Discounted fares are available for those who qualify. Riders should contact KAT Customer Service to enable the discounted fare on their katpay account.
For more information on katpay and its benefits, visit KATBus.com.