CARTA to offer 3 free bus rides in 2024

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Starting next year, CARTA will offer free bus rides during a three-month period.

The public will be able to ride CARTA for free on the first Friday of the months January, February and March.

CARTA says this is to show their appreciation for their customers. They also want to offer persuade new customers to try public transit.

“We are not just offering a ride on Fridays. We are inviting the community to embrace the convenience, comfort, and environmental benefits of riding with CARTA. It is a smart and sustainable choice for everyone’s daily commute,” said Jeff Smith, CARTA’s Interim Executive Director.

CARTA officials said they chose Fridays to offer the free rides because they believe it serves Chattanooga best. They explained many Chattanoogans work, go shopping and attend medical appointments on Fridays.

They also believe public transit will promote healthy social connections that were lost during the pandemic.

“There is an emerging group of Chattanoogans that want to use public transit but are intimidated by that first ride, as I was once one of them,” said CARTA board member Corey Evatt. “We want that first experience to be as simple as possible to give folks an on-ramp to what we do best, whether it’s fixed route, on-demand, or paratransit.”