KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — Knoxville Area Transit leaders have announced the launch of its new account-based fare payment system, “katpay” which can be used through a mobile device application or a reloadable card. The move comes about a month after KAT partially backtracked plans to go entirely cashless .
“Our new katpay system allows passengers to pay as they go, ensuring that they pay the best possible rate every time they board a bus,” Isaac Thorne, Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville, stated. “This system is a huge step forward in making public transit accessible and affordable for all of Knoxville.”
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The new system aims to bring greater flexibility, convenience, and savings to KAT riders through fare capping. According to KAT, fare capping ensures that customers always pay the lowest fare available, eliminating the need for up-front costs associated with purchasing daily or monthly passes. The system tracks usage and stops charging passengers after they’ve reached the daily or monthly fare limit. Riders will never pay more than $2 per day or $30 in a 30-day period.