Justice Knox delegation tells Transportation Authority microtransit pilot "Can't Connect" is failing

A delegation from Justice Knox told the Transportation Authority during public comment that Knoxville’s microtransit pilot, called "Can't Connect," is not meeting riders' needs and requires significant changes.

Mary Alice Richardson, a Justice Knox representative, told the authority, "Reliable transit isn't a luxury. It's a lifeline." Richardson said more than 10,000 Knoxville households lack a car and that many others rely on shared or unreliable vehicles, which makes dependable connections essential for work, medical appointments and groceries.

Richardson traced the group's engagement with city leaders and “director Thorne,” saying Justice Knox researchers and volunteers provided information and expert presentations over several years. She said the city promised an August 2024 pilot rollout and a follow-up meeting within six months of that rollout; the group requested the…