KAT History

KAT History - Dates to Remember 1876: Horse-drawn streetcar service began in Knoxville. 1890: Knoxville streetcars are converted from animal to electric power. The first electric streetcar ran from Gay Street to Lake Ottosee (now Chilhowee Park). 1895: The Knoxville Electric Streetcar Company changed its name to Knoxville Traction Company. 1904: Name changed again, to Knoxville Railway & Light Company. 1910: Knoxville had 42 miles of track and was carrying 11 million passengers a year. 1921: System changes name to Knoxville Power & Light Company. 1923: Ridership hits 20 million per year. 1929: The first buses are used, serving on feeder routes for the streetcar system.
1930: Name changed to Tennessee Public Service Company. 1933: Effects of depression reduce ridership to 11 million a year. 1938: Name changed to Knoxville Transit Lines (KTL). 1947: Electric streetcars made their last run in Knoxville on August 1. 1958: Bus service was added to the University of Tennessee campus area. 1967: KTL became part of the City of Knoxville and changed its name to Knoxville Transportation Corporation (KTC). 1972: The first air-conditioned GMC buses arrive. 1975: KTC moved to a renovated facility on Jessamine Street. 1978: Name changed to K-Trans. 1982: 40 new 40-foot Grumman buses were purchased to help provide service during the World's Fair. 1989: K-Trans moved into new facility on Magnolia Avenue. 1990: Facility dedicated to Rev. W.T. Crutcher, chairman and long-time member of the Knoxville Transportation Authority. 1995: K-Trans became Knoxville Area Transit (KAT). KAT introduces an entirely new route system as part of a Transit Improvement Strategy Plan. 1996: First formal Park-n-Ride Lot opened at Cedar Bluff Crossing Shopping Center. 1997: KAT receive 25 new, fully accessible Nova buses equipped with bike racks. 1999: Downtown trolley service overhauled with new vehicles and increased service. 2000: Late night and Sunday service started under a FTA Access to Jobs grant. 2002: KAT Action Plan 2010 is completed; KAT experiences highest ridership in ten years. 2003: The T services begin providing service on the UT campus and surrounding area. KAT Clean Fuels program begins with purchase of propane-powered vehicles. 2004: KAT named APTA's North American Transit System of the Year.

KAT History - Dates to Remember

1876: Horse-drawn streetcar service began in Knoxville.

1890: Knoxville streetcars are converted from animal to electric power.
The first electric streetcar ran from Gay Street to Lake Ottosee (now Chilhowee Park).

1895: The Knoxville Electric Streetcar Company changed its name to Knoxville Traction Company.

1904: Name changed again, to Knoxville Railway & Light Company.

1910: Knoxville had 42 miles of track and was carrying 11 million passengers a year.

1921: System changes name to Knoxville Power & Light Company.

1923: Ridership hits 20 million per year.

1929: The first buses are used, serving on feeder routes for the streetcar system.

1930: Name changed to Tennessee Public Service Company.

1933: Effects of depression reduce ridership to 11 million a year.

1938: Name changed to Knoxville Transit Lines (KTL).

1947: Electric streetcars made their last run in Knoxville on August 1.

1958: Bus service was added to the University of Tennessee campus area.

1967: KTL became part of the City of Knoxville and changed its name to Knoxville Transportation Corporation (KTC).

1972: The first air-conditioned GMC buses arrive.

1975: KTC moved to a renovated facility on Jessamine Street.

1978: Name changed to K-Trans.

1982: 40 new 40-foot Grumman buses were purchased to help provide service during the World's Fair.

1989: K-Trans moved into new facility on Magnolia Avenue.

1990: Facility dedicated to Rev. W.T. Crutcher, chairman and long-time member of the Knoxville Transportation Authority.

1995: K-Trans became Knoxville Area Transit (KAT).
KAT introduces an entirely new route system as part of a Transit Improvement Strategy Plan.

1996: First formal Park-n-Ride Lot opened at Cedar Bluff Crossing Shopping Center.

1997: KAT receive 25 new, fully accessible Nova buses equipped with bike racks.

1999: Downtown trolley service overhauled with new vehicles and increased service.

2000: Late night and Sunday service started under a FTA Access to Jobs grant.

2002: KAT Action Plan 2010 is completed; KAT experiences highest ridership in ten years.

2003: The T services begin providing service on the UT campus and surrounding area.
KAT Clean Fuels program begins with purchase of propane-powered vehicles.

2004: KAT named APTA's North American Transit System of the Year.

	History & Interesting KAT Facts		Overview of KAT Services
	Company Information		Easy Steps to Riding KAT
	News & Links		Customer Service
	Bikes on KAT		Services for Riders with Disabilities
	Fares and Passes		Rider Alerts

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