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KTA pauses cashless rollout, says smart cards coming Oct. 23 and cash will require exact change starting Jan. 2
Summary
After public feedback, Knoxville Area Transit staff told the Knoxville Transportation Authority they will delay the original cashless plan, introduce reloadable smart cards Oct. 23, continue to accept cash but require exact change beginning Jan. 2, and ask the board to approve a Title 6 analysis later.
Knoxville Area Transit staff told the Knoxville Transportation Authority on Sept. 24 that the agency will pause its original cashless rollout and return in October with a revised CATPay proposal after hearing concerns from riders and community groups.
"We will still accept cash," said Mr. Thorne, the staff presenter, adding that the system will move to exact-change fareboxes beginning Jan. 2 and introduce hard-plastic, reloadable smart cards on Oct. 23. Thorne said staff will continue offering mobile ticketing and aims to implement fare capping, which he described as a significant customer benefit.
Why it matters: the change affects how riders pay fares across Knoxville buses and how transfers and day passes are handled. Staff said fareboxes are obsolete and that moving to smart cards and mobile ticketing will modernize collection and enable capping; community organizations that currently hold paper tickets will be able to exchange them for card value.
What staff proposed: Thorne outlined a staggered timeline. Smart cards will be available at the customer service desk and Knoxville Station beginning Oct. 23. Day passes will stop being sold on buses Dec. 2 and will no longer be accepted on buses after Dec. 31. Starting Jan. 2, drivers will accept only exact cash on fareboxes; single-ride fares remain $1.00.
Access and outreach: Board members pressed staff on where and how cards can be purchased or reloaded. Thorne said initial distribution will be through Knoxville Station/customer service and targeted outreach (including visits to public-housing properties) rather than shelf sales at retail locations; cards must be registered by email or phone so value can be protected if lost. Staff said they will expand retail reload locations over time and provide an online list of locations and addresses.
Legal/board role: Mister Lawhorn clarified that the authority does not have to approve route or fare changes but will be asked to approve the "title 6 analysis" (Title VI analysis) when presented. Staff expects to bring a full package back in October for review and the Title VI approval that the board must decide.
Public reaction: Several riders urged caution. Rebecca Prophet asked whether cash payments would be retained; Thorne confirmed cash acceptance but noted the exact-change requirement after Jan. 2. Other commenters said sudden implementation would have created hardship; board members framed the pause as responsive to public input.
Next steps: Staff will return in October with a revised, consolidated presentation and the Title VI analysis for board consideration. The board did not vote on the CAPPay package at the Sept. meeting.
