Cata Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops
CATA bus schedule is not one single timetable. In the United States, “CATA” can refer to more than one transit agency, including Capital Area Transportation Authority in Greater Lansing, Centre Area Transportation Authority in State College/Penn State, and Cape Ann Transportation Authority in Massachusetts.
This guide helps you choose the right CATA first, then check routes, times, stops, ticket price, live arrivals, alerts, accessibility, and the correct official schedule source.
What Is the CATA Bus Schedule?
The CATA bus schedule you need depends on which CATA agency serves your area. For Greater Lansing and Michigan State University, use Capital Area Transportation Authority at CATA.org. For State College and Penn State, use Centre Area Transportation Authority at CATABUS.com. For Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Cape Ann, use Cape Ann Transportation Authority at CannTran.com.
Lansing, State College, Cape Ann, or another local system.
Capital Area CATA, Centre Area CATA, or Cape Ann CATA.
Use route number, route name, campus loop, or destination.
Use stop number, stop name, nearby landmark, or map pin.
Live bus arrival can change before you leave.
CATA Bus Schedule Guide
Which CATA Bus System Do You Need?
Use the city or region first. This is the fastest way to avoid the wrong schedule, wrong fare, or wrong live tracker.
Capital Area Transportation Authority — Greater Lansing, Michigan
This is the CATA system for Lansing, East Lansing, Michigan State University, Okemos, Haslett, Meridian Township, Mason, Williamston/Webberville connector areas, and surrounding service zones.
Useful detail: Capital Area CATA schedules can show stop-by-stop departures after you select route, direction, and service date.
Centre Area Transportation Authority — State College, Pennsylvania
This CATA serves State College, Penn State, nearby apartment corridors, downtown State College, campus Loop/Link service, community bus routes, CATAGO, and CATARIDE.
Useful detail: CATABUS routes include community routes such as AC, CC, H, HU, N, R, V, W and campus routes such as Blue Loop, White Loop, and Red Link.
Cape Ann Transportation Authority — Massachusetts
This CATA serves Cape Ann communities including Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Ipswich, Hamilton, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and related seasonal or on-demand services.
Useful detail: Cape Ann CATA lists routes such as Eastern Avenue, Lanesville, East Gloucester, West Gloucester/Essex, Magnolia, Mall Bus, and Beverly Commuter.
CATA Routes: How to Find the Right Bus
Each CATA agency uses its own route system. Some routes use numbers, some use letters, some are campus routes, and some are demand-response or microtransit services. Always check the agency page that matches your city.
| CATA agency | Common route types | How to search | Rider mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Area CATA — Lansing, MI | Fixed routes, MSU campus routes, Connector, Redi-Ride, Spec-Tran, Rural Service, Night Owl, Lot Link. | Use Find Bus by Schedule, Trip Planner, Stops & Departures, or route number. | Do not assume MSU campus routes, late-night routes, and regular fixed routes use the same fare or hours. |
| Centre Area CATA — State College, PA | Community routes, campus Loop/Link routes, CATAGO microtransit, CATARIDE. | Use route letters, CATABUS Locator, myStop, service calendar, and route schedule pages. | Do not confuse fare-free Loop/Link routes with paid CATABUS Community Service routes. |
| Cape Ann CATA — Massachusetts | Fixed routes, Mall Bus, Beverly Commuter, school trippers, summer shuttles, ADA, Dial-A-Ride, On Demand. | Use Cape Ann route pages and individual schedule pages for operating days and times. | Do not assume seasonal beach/shuttle routes operate year-round or every Sunday. |
How to Read a CATA Bus Schedule Correctly
A CATA schedule is only useful after you choose the correct agency, route, direction, and service date. A bus time at the first terminal is not automatically the time for your stop.
Choose the route number, letter, campus route, or service type.
Match the destination, terminal, or route branch.
Use weekday, Saturday, Sunday, holiday, semester, or seasonal service.
Use stop number, stop name, landmark, or stop list.
Check real-time arrival shortly before leaving.
CATA Stop Numbers, Direction, and Boarding Side
Many CATA tools rely on exact stop numbers or stop selections. A stop across the street can have a different stop ID and a different direction. Do not use a landmark alone if the area has multiple stops.
CATA Bus Fare: Ticket Prices Depend on the Agency
There is no single CATA fare. The ticket price depends on which CATA agency operates your bus and which service type you use.
Discount fixed-route fare is listed at $0.60. MSU Campus Routes are listed as free. Other services such as Connector, Rural Service, Redi-Ride, Spec-Tran, Lot Link, and Night Owl may have different fares.
Reduced fare is listed at $1.25. A day pass is listed at $7.00 via mobile ticketing, and Loop/Link fare-free service is separate from paid community routes.
Cape Ann CATA states regular bus, Mall Bus, ADA Paratransit, senior dial-a-ride, Ipswich Medical bus, Dialysis Bus, and summer routes are currently fare free, while On Demand may still collect fares.
Example Map: CATA Transportation Center, Lansing
The CATA Transportation Center in downtown Lansing is a useful map example for Capital Area CATA because it is a major fixed-route hub. Use this map for orientation only, then confirm the exact route, bay, direction, and live departure in official CATA tools.
- Confirm you are using Capital Area CATA, not another CATA agency.
- Check route number and direction before walking to the bay.
- Use live tracking shortly before boarding.
- Check Rider Alerts for detours, event service, or stop closures.
Scheduled Time vs Live CATA Arrival
Scheduled time is the planned timetable. Live arrival is a same-day prediction based on vehicle location or real-time data where available. Traffic, detours, weather, events, construction, operator availability, GPS issues, and trip cancellations can change live arrival.
Use the official CATA live tracker, bus locator, myStop, Transit app, or agency-endorsed tool.
Select the exact route number, letter, Loop, Link, or service type.
Match the destination, campus loop direction, or terminal.
Use stop number, stop name, map pin, or nearby intersection.
Check again before leaving because predictions and detours can change.
Check CATA Alerts Before You Leave
CATA service alerts can change the street path, boarding stop, route terminal, schedule, or transfer point. A trip planner may not always reflect temporary detours or stop closures, so check alerts separately on the same day.
CATA Accessibility Details to Check
Accessibility depends on the agency, vehicle, stop, route, and service type. A bus route may use accessible vehicles, but a specific stop can still be affected by construction, sidewalk condition, snow, slope, lighting, or temporary relocation.
How to Avoid the Wrong CATA Bus Schedule
- Confirm which CATA agency serves your city.
- Open the official schedule page, not only a search snippet.
- Select route number, letter, campus loop, or service type.
- Choose the correct travel date and service day.
- Confirm direction, destination, or route branch.
- Use the exact stop number or stop name when available.
- Check fare, pass, transfer, and cash rules before boarding.
- Check live bus arrival shortly before leaving.
- Review service alerts for detours or closed stops.
- Arrive 5–10 minutes early, more for transfers or unfamiliar hubs.
Official CATA Bus Schedule Sources
Use these official pages to confirm current schedules, fares, maps, stops, live arrivals, alerts, and accessibility. Third-party pages may help with discovery, but the operating agency controls the schedule.
Use for Greater Lansing route schedules, route direction, service date, full stop schedule, route map, and rider alert checks.
Open CATA.org schedulesUse for fixed-route fare, discounted fare, MSU campus fare, Connector, Rural Service, Redi-Ride, Spec-Tran, Night Owl, Lot Link, contactless payment, and mobile pay.
Open CATA.org faresUse for trip planning, stop-by-stop schedules, real-time tracking, print schedule locations, riding basics, and CATA Transportation Center details.
Open rider guideUse for detours, event route changes, temporary stop closures, construction impacts, and same-day service notices.
Open Lansing alertsUse for State College and Penn State CATABUS route pages, campus Loop/Link routes, system map, service calendar, CATAGO, CATARIDE, and customer service numbers.
Open CATABUS schedulesUse for CATABUS cash fare, reduced fare, day pass, OnePass, youth fare, senior ride pass, CATARIDE fare, and transfer rules.
Open CATABUS faresUse for stop numbers, route locations, and real-time next bus information.
Open CATABUS locatorUse for Cape Ann fixed routes, route map, operating days, fare-free notice, holiday policy, On Demand, ADA, senior, school tripper, and seasonal services.
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CATA Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the CATA bus schedule?
The CATA bus schedule depends on which CATA agency you mean. Capital Area CATA serves Greater Lansing, Centre Area CATA serves State College and Penn State, and Cape Ann CATA serves Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and nearby Cape Ann communities.
How do I find the correct CATA bus schedule?
Start with your city, then open the official CATA agency page, choose your route, select direction, enter your service date, and check your exact stop or stop number.
Is CATA in Lansing the same as CATA in State College?
No. Capital Area Transportation Authority in Greater Lansing and Centre Area Transportation Authority in State College are separate transit agencies with different routes, fares, maps, and live-tracking tools.
How much is the CATA bus fare?
Fare depends on the agency. Capital Area CATA lists regular fixed-route fare at $1.25. Centre Area CATA lists full cash fare at $2.50. Cape Ann CATA says regular bus routes are currently fare free, while On Demand may still collect fares.
Where can I track a CATA bus live?
Use the official live tool for your agency: Capital Area CATA live bus tracking or Transit app, Centre Area CATA CATABUS Locator/myStop, or the live/schedule tool linked from Cape Ann CATA route pages.
Do CATA buses run on weekends?
Weekend service depends on the agency and route. Some routes operate Saturday and Sunday, some have reduced weekend hours, and some seasonal routes only run during specific periods.
What time does the first CATA bus leave?
First-bus time is route-specific and stop-specific. Use the official schedule page, select your route and travel date, then check the first departure from your exact stop.
What time is the last CATA bus?
The last bus depends on the route, direction, service day, campus schedule, seasonal schedule, and stop. Always check the return trip before you travel.
Can I pay cash on a CATA bus?
Cash rules depend on the agency. Some CATA systems accept exact cash on fixed routes, while mobile tickets, passes, contactless payment, or fare cards may offer different transfer or pass benefits.
Are CATA buses accessible?
CATA agencies provide accessibility resources and paratransit-related services, but riders should still check stop conditions, temporary stop closures, sidewalks, and route alerts before traveling.