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FastCAT route launches, app doesn't yet

KBIA file photo

As college students start making their way back to town, Columbia Transit has begun running its new route that connects campuses and apartment complexes with the downtown area more directly.

The FastCAT line began operation Monday morning as planned. Columbia Works spokesperson Stevens Sapp says the city expects the new route to increase ridership in a transit system that needs to be more self-sufficient. He says Brookside Apartments has bought passes for each of the students living in their complex, at a discounted price of $62.50, compared to the individual student rate of $100 a semester.

“But other complexes are also signing contracts. We have two contracts that we expect to be signed here very shortly and so we see that the apartment owners like this as well because it helps them cut down on the number of cars that are going in and out of their parking lots on a daily basis,” Sapp said.

Sapp says he’s heard generally positive comments from riders on the new route so far today. However, one thing that didn’t go as planned was the launch of the mobile phone application riders will be able to use to track their route. Sapp says there were some issues with AT&T that held up the launch today, but Columbia Transit hopes to have the app operational by end of the week.

Ryan served as the KBIA News Director from February 2011 to September 2023