Riding is Easy as Pie
How To Ride CARTA
4 Steps to get where you’re going easily conveniently and safely
(Guía en español de instrucciones para viajar.)
1 Plan your trip. Find out what bus you need to take by any of these methods:
- Check out CARTA’s online Trip Planner app CARTA has partnered with Google Transit, a public transit trip planning feature of Google Maps. Just enter your start and end point (You may need to list Chattanooga, TN within the option fields to narrow your search), the date, and time you want to arrive at your destination, and click “Get Directions” to begin your trip. The trip planner will provide three options with the travel time and number of transfers.
- Check the Routes and Schedules page on this website.
- If you need more assistance, call the CARTA Information Line at (423) 629-1473 Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tell the customer service representative where you are and where you want to go and the representative will provide you with the information you need.
- CARTA bus schedules are also available at many of the local banks, shopping malls, social service agencies, hospitals, colleges and universities, the downtown post office, public libraries and on the buses.
2 Wait for the bus at the bus stop. CARTA bus stops are identified by red, white and blue signs. As CARTA bus drivers try very hard to stay on schedule, get to your bus stop a few minutes early to make sure that you don’t miss the bus. Before you board the bus, make sure that you are getting on the right bus by checking the destination and route number on the signs above the front windshield and on the curb side of the bus.
3 Have your bus fare or unlimited ride bus pass ready when you board the bus. If you need to recharge your unlimited ride pass, please tell your bus driver. Please have exact change as neither the CARTA bus drivers nor the fare boxes can make change.
4 When you get close to your destination, pull the yellow cord or press the yellow tape above your head or between the windows. This lets the bus driver know that you want to get off at the next bus stop. CARTA bus drivers can only stop at the designated bus stops and where it is safe.