Lansing-area bus riders have one more chance to talk directly with Capital Area Transportation Authority staff before service changes take effect Monday, Aug. 24.
CATA will run two Listening Bus sessions Thursday, Aug. 20, putting representatives on board active routes to collect rider feedback in real time. The morning session covers Route 24, boarding at MSU's Ramp 5 from 9:35 to 10:30 a.m. The afternoon session covers Route 23, boarding at the Shaw & Farm Boarding Area from 2:05 to 3:10 p.m.
The format is simple: riders board the bus as usual, and CATA staff ride along to hear comments and document them on the spot. According to CATA's program page, every comment feeds directly into route planning and service adjustments.
Why it matters now
The Aug. 20 sessions land four days before CATA's Aug. 24 changes reshape several routes. Routes 46 and 48 will be discontinued. Routes 1, 9, 18, 20, the Mason Connector, the Williamston/Webberville Connector, CATA Rural Service and CATA Rydz will all see schedule or coverage shifts. Spartan Service on MSU campus routes resumes the same day.
CATA CEO Bradley T. Funkhouser said in the agency's Aug. 11 news release that the authority "carefully considered public feedback, adjusting where possible as we finalized these changes." The agency received more than 40 comments through four public meetings held in July.
Two ways to weigh in this week
The Listening Bus sessions are separate from CATA's public hearing on its proposed $75 million fiscal year 2027 budget, scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 511 S. Washington Ave. in Lansing. Riders who want to address both the budget and day-to-day service have back-to-back opportunities.
Listening Bus sessions are held the third Thursday of each month. The next session after Aug. 20 is Thursday, Sept. 17, covering Route 25 (10:40–11:34 a.m.) and Ramp 1 on MSU's campus (1–2 p.m.).
Riders who cannot attend in person can call CATA Customer Experience at 517-394-1000, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or submit feedback online at cata.org/Feedback.
Upcoming community calendar
- Wednesday, Aug. 19 — CATA public hearing on FY2027 budget, 4 p.m., 511 S. Washington Ave., Lansing
- Thursday, Aug. 20 — CATA Listening Bus: Route 24, 9:35–10:30 a.m. (MSU Ramp 5); Route 23, 2:05–3:10 p.m. (Shaw & Farm Boarding Area)
- Monday, Aug. 24 — CATA service changes take effect systemwide
- Thursday, Sept. 17 — Next Listening Bus session: Route 25, 10:40–11:34 a.m.; Ramp 1, 1–2 p.m.
