News Summary
The Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) has introduced KAT Krawl to enhance public safety and support local businesses. Participants attended an event on June 27, exploring local breweries via public transit. Organized by YES! Knoxville, the initiative highlights a new frequent bus route and reinforces KAT’s commitment to improve community engagement with public transportation. Local leaders, including the Mayor, support the efforts to make transit more appealing and improve connectivity across neighborhoods.
Knoxville – The Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) has launched a new initiative called KAT Krawl, aimed at enhancing public safety while promoting local businesses. The inaugural event occurred on June 27, 2023, inviting participants to explore local breweries using public transit. This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase the community’s engagement with public transportation and underscore its benefits.
KAT operates 20 fixed routes throughout Knoxville, serving over 80 percent of the city’s population within a half-mile of these lines. With around 3 million passengers carried annually, KAT is a vital component of Knoxville’s transportation infrastructure. The new event was organized by YES! Knoxville, a nonprofit organization focused on urban planning and transit reform, and saw participation from local leaders, including the Mayor of Knoxville and city council members.
The KAT Krawl not only aimed to promote local businesses but also to raise awareness of a new bus route that operates every 15 minutes. Such improvements are part of the KAT Reimagined initiative, which has shifted the service frequency and reliability for high-ridership routes, transitioning from a 50/50 to a 70/30 service model. The emphasis is on making public transit a more appealing option compared to alternative transport methods.
KAT staff members play a significant role in ensuring the efficacy of these services. Katie Griffin, who began her KAT career in 1979, now serves as the early morning dispatcher, starting her day at 4 a.m. Over her 45 years of service, Griffin has held various positions within the organization, including bus operator and supervisor. Her passion for interacting with passengers is evident, as she recalls when former riders transitioned into bus operators themselves.
Greg Robinson, another veteran KAT transit operator with 34 years of experience, begins his day at 4:45 a.m. His daily responsibilities include assisting passengers in reaching their destinations, such as workplaces and medical appointments. Both Griffin and Robinson stress safety as a critical element of their work, with Robinson’s catchphrase, “expect the unexpected,” highlighting the importance of driver awareness on the road.
Mayor Indya Kincannon has expressed support for KAT’s initiatives and the potential for expanded services, particularly looking forward to increased frequency on the Broadway route, which would enhance transit connectivity to more neighborhoods. The KAT Krawl event reflects a growing interest among residents and local leaders in improving urban policies to be more people-centered and accessible.
YES! Knoxville actively advocates for sustainable transportation systems and urban designs that reduce reliance on personal vehicles. The KAT Krawl represents a collaborative effort between city officials and community advocates to foster a stronger connection between public transit and local commerce, promoting a safer and more integrated public transportation system for Knoxville residents.
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KAT Krawl Engages Knoxville Residents on Public Transit
Additional Resources
- WBIR: While You Were Sleeping
- Wikipedia: Public Transport
- WATE: Knoxville Area Transit Workers Picket
- Google Search: Knoxville Area Transit
- Knox News: KAT Krawl
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Transportation
- UT Daily Beacon: KAT Reimagined
- Google News: Knoxville Area Transit KAT
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
