[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6155163,"mediaKeyId","5480849-2b562328d987f2ee1b875107e01cb6d1","parentId",5480849,"title","Paratransit rider raises repeated complaints about CAT Lift; staff commit to follow‑up","audioSeconds",906,"startMs",582000,"endMs",1488000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480849-2b562328d987f2ee1b875107e01cb6d1&start=582&end=1488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480849-2b562328d987f2ee1b875107e01cb6d1/thumbnail_582000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6155163/Tennessee/Paratransit-rider-raises-repeated-complaints-about-CAT-Lift-staff-commit-to-followup","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155163-1abc406cf2406eb66dcf80b94a5c8065/orig.mp4?Expires=1770475798&Signature=IGSunhoWPkksfDuieRWfMVexITRT8-HW7GL0dpwoBn9NPvanwwtbgT71jfPPo2n2ac0QqyqVDUQNThOQNJr47OEHOLUrT4Q-iehI6nSMICxZ5aqv5F21JkSGuN5FiSR5DG8JrW1dgaV5vHN0cJlT720gp-GDEFsmQrTs3oLWQAj4wwOSCnlFfRhNia7tz0HmDCsOLaLvn71pvh8oyxzUyi4ASpBHsNH8RyFkh1yVUegVe9boe6louun7sl8~HE4iw5hSny7ms0L0qpPaKH9uM-JoB9pPhk4ZIdlhEDvD0BwCZ-k9Pl0IwQR7i6dxCWap5rw8q2xVaa-2EoBQ5tsxuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Knoxville, TN","date","2025-07-26T04:17:18.427Z","article","Sharwin Snelson, who identified himself with a street address in Knoxville, used public comment time to list recurring problems he said he and other CAT Lift riders have experienced: uneven trip distribution among drivers, excessive wait times, insufficient travel time allowances (particularly during heavy morning traffic), inconsistent response from dispatch, and the inability to leave voicemail for managers. He told the board that although staff had sometimes acknowledged improvements, problems have reoccurred and that the pattern of repeated failures is concerning.

Snelson said operators sometimes tell riders that an automated system generated trips and that human staff are available to make necessary adjustments. He said dispatch should use available technology to locate vans and reassign trips when vehicles are running late. He added that wheelchair securement and sufficient time in scheduling must be prioritized to avoid injury. At one point he summarized his concerns this way: “Once is an incident, two is a coincidence, and three is a pattern.” He also reported a call result that said, “Your call cannot be completed as the called party declines the request,” indicating callers could not leave messages for a manager.

After public comment, a staff member said they had made notes and would meet with Mr. Snelson immediately after the meeting to review his concerns. Staff also told the board that operations monitoring of on‑time performance is now being done centrally under the OCC (operations control) and that new lift buses had recently entered service. Staff said an earlier meeting between Mr. Snelson and operations staff (including the operations director) had taken place and that they would continue follow‑up to ensure progress on the issues he raised.

Why it matters: Paratransit riders are often dependent on door‑to‑door service for work and medical appointments; repeated scheduling failures and lack of clear complaint channels affect a population with limited alternatives.

Next steps: Staff committed to meet with Mr. Snelson after the meeting, monitor on‑time performance through OCC, and review operational options such as an extra driver board or additional vans during peak periods. No formal board action was recorded; staff follow‑up was described as part of operations practice.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","KTA R 277 250724","oneSentenceSummary","A regular CAT Lift rider told the KTA board he has repeatedly experienced long waits, uneven trip distribution, and difficulty reaching managers, and staff said they would meet with him after the meeting and continue operational follow‑up.","taxTitle","Transportation Authority Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee","taxId",72440,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6155165,"KTA approves Route 1 and Route 16 revisions after Title VI review",1033,376000,1409000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480849-2b562328d987f2ee1b875107e01cb6d1&start=376&end=1409","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480849-2b562328d987f2ee1b875107e01cb6d1/thumbnail_376000.jpg","/articles/6155165/Tennessee/KTA-approves-Route-1-and-Route-16-revisions-after-Title-VI-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155165-1e6c6f087267d22fe1c81831635652e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508778&Signature=EXpPX~ENt1~FdtXmsVN6YgamkkIkGXsIC46rTMafrYUVeKwaKProlbnGjxGVHqlXbT3-g4u1fBTqWxIl0Q2~vnPNyhP-mWUQKO6f5vNqN7nBqTWw6y73C2Sm7USPIhRCaaoRJt5LMtFtpVY4QPvBtF-7Nb~Q14kuejHaW-G6YuyYak2fauKG~O0pM2vozU59kQQ-SyMRxdSCbZ25L-oWVkli0jraxz-xKHH0TA2HG8qUGc~hYkBZzCaSULjQFrYVCZpZk50MNjNtAVwnJWsXF4sHGEx6oMUiX6OZwUycXZ2FCjHh0TR6-64d~TWE-GOjkoGrLtLxCbhqqrH5y09bsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The KTA board voted to approve staff recommendations to revise Route 1, the Downtown Connector, and Route 16, Cedar Bluff/Middlebrook, following staff presentations and a Title VI equity analysis. Staff said the Route 1 revision meets the Federal Transit Administration threshold for a major service change and increases access for minority and low‑income populations.

Clay Mercer, transit planner for CAT, described the Route 1 revision as an outbound reroute that will serve Covenant Health Park (the Smokies ballpark) and Old City: outbound from Gay Street, right onto Summit Hill Drive, left onto Patton Street into Willow Avenue, left onto Central Street, right onto Summit Hill Drive and back to Gay Street. Mercer said, “This will maintain 15 minute service to the stadium,” and that two new stops would be added (one at the Covenant Health Park shuttle pickup/drop‑off and one at Central and Willow Avenue). He also outlined the Route 16 weekday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m., detour to serve the Dallas Springs medical district via Old Weisgarber Road and Dallas Springs Boulevard and said four new stops would be added to reach clinics and providers there.

A staff member presenting the Title VI analysis told the board that federal rules applied because the system operates 50 or more fixed‑route buses in an urbanized area over 200,000 people and that the board’s Title VI policy defines a “major service change” as a change that affects 25% or more of a route’s transit route miles or revenue vehicle miles for the applicable day. The presenter said the Route 1 change represents a 36.9% service change, exceeding the 25% threshold and therefore qualifying as a major service change; Route 16 was reported as a 0.72% change and not a major change. The presenter summarized the accrual‑of‑benefits analysis showing the percent of minority census‑block access to Route 1 rising to 51% from about 36% prechange and that low‑income access was 59% (compared with a 62% systemwide comparator cited in the analysis).

Staff noted the Title VI maps and tables were produced using Optibus scheduling output combined with American Community Survey and census data (2019–2023) and that some visual materials were created using Remix. A board member asked for the prechange percentages and staff confirmed the minority access rose by roughly 15 percentage points and low‑income access rose by roughly 17 points in the analysis.

After questions, the board took a voice vote to approve the staff recommendations and proceed. The motion was seconded; the board chair called for a voice vote and said, “Aye,” and the chair declared the motion approved. The record shows a voice approval; no roll‑call tally was captured in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: Staff said the Route 1 change preserves 15‑minute stadium service while routing to additional stops that staff say improve access for minority and low‑income riders. The Route 16 changes target weekday service to multiple medical providers in the Dallas Springs area.

Next steps: Staff will implement the approved routing revisions and the public hearing that had been scheduled was completed as part of the board action. Staff materials referenced the Title VI analysis and maps; the board requested larger printed tables for future meetings.

","The KTA board approved staff recommendations to revise Route 1 (Downtown Connector) and Route 16 (Cedar Bluff/Middlebrook). Staff said the Route 1 change is a federally defined \"major service change\" under Title VI and that the revisions increase access for minority and low‑income riders. The board approved the recommendation by voice vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6155158,"Transit staff urge participation in regional household travel survey; report 86% on‑time performance",0,234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480849-2b562328d987f2ee1b875107e01cb6d1&start=234&end=234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480849-2b562328d987f2ee1b875107e01cb6d1/thumbnail_234000.jpg","/articles/6155158/Tennessee/Transit-staff-urge-participation-in-regional-household-travel-survey-report-86-ontime-performance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155158-4de27b2c437a6e3ab6180745b601df10/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508778&Signature=m~WtTXwkIFNcRNly-2UzOJLyHnf3Abu0VOvDBe0Ttfb22DmMzkW9dA9TJ1Ihv9HftqhxO8t0LAQnSLnSvosfjEGqvsmFKsqzdcKuSIsO9r5U3UMsyy7C7AuBxc~sewCP21Gdt5D71G~BHtOHfiOfDyMnvbrnAFnpbNq4PQKozeWBVeNtlBNTbOCVuSE75qoTDZOirVIWk1M7gpwiM6NTW52yYCyOXXRuKMhShH8fTydKHkPWXznAwziF3~G5N~4vJj0Pf~ofv4gyQWUOMRCCrIBmm7aqLcMKqoQhfzcuQCxkY0X40olIul7qOFwSfDmFOZekOyIWNM9vPhVOM~SoAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A staff member told the KTA board that the regional household travel survey — conducted in partnership with the state department of transportation (TDOT) and the University of Tennessee Transportation Research Center — will resume mailing letters to randomly selected households on Aug. 7. The survey asks participants to track all travel for a single day using either a paper diary or an app. Staff said the campaign aims for roughly 3,000 responses across the broader region (not just the city) and asked board members to encourage recipients to participate so transit riders and low‑income households are not underrepresented in the sample.

The staff speaker noted the survey paused for the summer to capture travel patterns during the school year. He asked board members to reassure residents that the survey is legitimate if they query neighbors who receive the mailing. The speaker also thanked planning director Thorn and community media for recording a recent city council workshop on a transit support and development study funded through an FTA Areas of System Poverty grant; he said the workshop offers early examples of corridor development and density strategies.

In staff reports earlier in the meeting, staff said the system’s on‑time performance for the month was 86% and that the operations team was working toward a 90% target. The board also heard praise for staff and a note that new lift buses had come into service.

Why it matters: Household travel surveys inform long‑range and short‑range transit planning and can affect route and frequency decisions; getting a representative sample is important because transit riders and low‑income households are often underrepresented in voluntary surveys.

Next steps: Survey mailings to selected households to begin Aug. 7; staff asked board members to encourage participation and to direct residents to the TPO/TDOT/UT study contacts if they have questions.

","Staff told the board a scientific household travel survey will resume Aug. 7, aiming for about 3,000 responses across the region; staff also reported a monthly on‑time performance of 86% and said a city workshop on transit support and development was presented to the city council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Paratransit rider raises repeated complaints about CAT Lift; staff commit to follow‑up

KTA approves Route 1 and Route 16 revisions after Title VI review

Transit staff urge participation in regional household travel survey; report 86% on‑time performance