The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is the mass transit provider for Chattanooga, Tennessee and its vicinity. CARTA operates 15 bus routes, paratransit services, and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. CARTA also operates the Chattanooga Parking Authority, which manages public parking garages, lots, and on-street parking in the city.
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.
Chattanooga Choo Choo shuttle
In 1973, the City of Chattanooga purchased the assets of the former Southern Coach Lines and formed the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority. 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.
Services
Bus routes
As of April10,2025[update], CARTA operates 15 bus routes, including three classified as shuttles.[1]
North Market Street, North Shore Market, Coolidge Park, Renaissance Park, Spears Avenue, Cherokee Boulevard, CADAS, Johnson Mental Health Center, North Chattanooga Recreation Center
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
CARTA GO is an on-demand ride service connecting the neighborhoods of Cromwell, East Brainerd, Eastdale, and North Brainerd to the route 4 bus. The service uses software by Via Transportation for booking rides and costs the same as a fixed route bus.[2]
Fares
As of 17April2025[update], base fare for fixed route buses is $1.50. Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, Medicare users, and students get discounted fares with a CARTA ID. Veterans and children under 6 ride for free. CARTA also offers 24-hour, 7-day, and 31-day passes. The CARTA Care-A-Van costs $2.50 for a one-way trip.[3]
In December 2024, CARTA started accepting fare payment from smartphones using the Token Transit app.[4]
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