Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority

The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is the mass transit provider for Chattanooga, Tennessee and its vicinity.

Public transportation first appeared on the streets of Chattanooga on September 4, 1875, utilizing horse-drawn trollies. The two main routes followed Market Street and East Ninth Street (now Martin Luther King Boulevard). In 1889, the trolleys were replaced with electric streetcars. With the advent of the internal combustion engine, buses began to appear more frequently. In 1941, Southern Coach Lines took over the public transit operations, and the last streetcar ran in 1946.

City control
In 1973, the City of Chattanooga purchased the assets of the former Southern Coach Lines, and formed the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority.

CARTA operates 15 bus routes, trimmed down from 30, as some routes have been consolidated or eliminated. Since 1992, CARTA has operated a free downtown shuttle bus service, utilizing electric buses, which runs between the Chattanooga Choo Choo (the former Terminal Station) and the Tennessee Aquarium. Public parking is available at both locations. CARTA owns and operates the historic Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, which ascends from the St. Elmo neighborhood to the town of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee as well as the Chattanooga Parking Authority. CARTA also provides paratransit van services, called CARTA Care-A-Van.

List of routes

 * 1. Alton Park
 * Chattanooga Choo Choo, The Villages at Alton Park, Piney Woods, Wheeler Homes, Erlanger Community Health Center (Southside), Alton Park Recreation Center, Howard School of Academics & Technology, and Food City.


 * 2. North Chattanooga (FREE, part of the shuttle service)
 * North Market Street, North Shore Market, Coolidge Park, Renaissance Park, Spears Avenue, Cherokee Boulevard, CADAS, Johnson Mental Health Center, North Chattanooga Recreation Center


 * 3. Enterprise South
 * Hamilton County Dept. of Education, Amazon Fulfillment Center, Volkswagen Group of America


 * 4. Eastgate/Hamilton Place
 * UT-Chattanooga, UTC Place, Client Services Building/Human Services, Tennessee Temple University, Brainerd Road, Eastgate Town Center, Hamilton Place Mall, Walmart, Lee Highway, Parkridge Hospital, Warner Park


 * 5/6. CARTA GO, East Brainerd/North Brainerd (Microtransit)
 * Eastgate Town Center, Brainerd High School, North Brainerd Community, Eastwood Manor, Dalewood Middle School, Woodmoore School, Foxwood Plaza, Wilson Air Center, Hamilton Place Mall, East Brainerd Road, Gunbarrel Road, Gunbarrel Pointe, Memorial Atrium, Erlanger East, McCutcheon Road, Health Center at Standifer Place, Rainbow Creek Apartments, U.S. Express, Social Security Office


 * 9. East Lake
 * Chattanooga Choo Choo, Main Street, Dodds Avenue, Goodwill Industries, East Side Community Center, East Lake Courts, East Lake Academy of Fine Arts


 * 10A. East Chattanooga-Avondale
 * UT-Chattanooga, Avondale, Erlanger Community Health Center (Dodson Ave.), Erlanger Medical Center, Hamilton County Health Department, Hardy Elementary School, Warner Park


 * 10C. East Chattanooga-Campbell St.
 * UT-Chattanooga, Erlanger Medical Center, Hamilton County Health Department, Campbell Street, Highway 58, Warner Park, Erlanger Community Health Center (Dodson Ave.)


 * 10G. East Chattanooga-Glenwood
 * UT-Chattanooga, Glenwood, Erlanger Medical Center, Hamilton County Health Department, Memorial Hospital, Parkwood Nursing Home, Parkridge Medical Center, Warner Park


 * 13. Rossville
 * East Lake Courts, 23rd Street, Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Senior Neighbors, Whiteside Faith Manor


 * 14. "Mocs Express" (free shuttle for UT-Chattanooga students, faculty and staff.)
 * UTC Campus, UTC Place, Engel Stadium, Downtown Chattanooga


 * 15. St. Elmo (FREE, part of the shuttle service)
 * St. Elmo Ave and Broad Street


 * 16. Northgate
 * Northgate Mall, Hixson Pike, Riverview, Highland Plaza, Lowe's, Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Stockdale's


 * 21. Golden Gateway
 * Boynton Terrace, College Hill Courts, Chattanooga Convention Center, Jaycee Towers Apartments, Overlook Apartments, Finley Stadium


 * 28. Amnicola Highway
 * Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Police Services Center

Fares
, fares rates for their respectable services are:

Fixed Routes - +Medicare card is accepted as proof of eligibility for the CARTA Special Fare ID Card.
 * Adult: $1.50
 * Child (under 6): FREE with paying passenger, limit 3.
 * Senior Citizens (Ages 65+): $0.75 (CARTA Special Fare I.D. Card Required+)
 * Persons with Disability: $0.75 (CARTA Special Fare I.D. Card Required+)
 * Students: $0.75 (CARTA Student Bye Pass Card Required for students in Grades 6-12)
 * Veterans: FREE (Military ID required)

CARTA Care-A-Van -
 * One way: $2.50
 * Round Trip: $5.00

Specials -
 * 24 Hour Unlimited Ride Pass: $4
 * 7 Day Unlimited Ride Pass: $15
 * 31 Day Unlimited Ride Pass: $50