Transportation
CAC Transit Program
Moving People…Changing Lives
Knox County CAC Transit provides access to community resources and services for Knoxville-Knox County residents who have no means of transportation by providing safe transportation services.
Knox County CAC Transit provides accessible, demand response public transportation services to the residents of Knox County who live within Knox County outside the City of Knoxville, to those individuals who live within the City of Knoxville outside the KAT service area, and to those city residents who are not served by he KAT fixed route system, including those who live too far from a bus stop or who’s destination in not within the KAT service area.
- Transportation is provided to medical appointments, grocery shopping and other essential errands.
- Transportation is provided to employment and training 24/7, however, funding is limited.
- Lift-equipped vehicles available.
- Riders must be scheduled by no later than 11:00 a.m. the day before your appointment. Office hours for scheduling are Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Transportation Fares: $2.00 each way
ADA/ADA Reasonable Modification Complaint Procedures
Title VI Complaint Forms and Procedures
DBE Goal FY2024-2026
Ride Guide
Knox County CAC Transit is a demand response system that provides wheelchair accessible and general public transportation
- to residents who live within Knox County outside the City of Knoxville,
- to those individuals who live within the City of Knoxville outside the KAT service area,
- and to those City residents who are not served by the KAT fixed route system including persons who live too far from a bus stop or whose destination is not within the KAT service area.
Hours of Service
- CAC Transit provides transportation services Monday through Saturday between the hours of 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM.
- Some transportation (including scheduled employment and special events) is provided twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days a week.
- CAC Transit observes twelve (12) holidays a year which are subject to limited services.
- Regular Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:45 PM .
- Reservations are ONLY taken Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM.
- Phone lines are answered during regular business hours. If you call outside these hours, the phone will go to voicemail and you will ONLY be able to leave a message.
How to Schedule Transportation
- CAC Transit provides door-to-door transportation services to the residents of Knoxville and Knox County who live outside the KAT service area.
- You must talk to a representative to schedule your trip no later than 11:00 a.m. the working day before your appointment.
- You must be ready for pickup at least one (1) hour plus drive time before scheduled appointment time. The driver is not permitted to wait longer than five minutes as he or she has many other stops to make.
- When you schedule your trip, tell the representative what time you expect to return home. If you don’t know in advance what time you will need to be returned, call CAC Transit when you are finished. CAC Transit has a pickup window of one (1) hour for all return trips.
- The driver cannot stay with you during your appointment or errand.
- The fare is $2.00 per person each way. This fare does not apply to customers that qualify for other contract services with CAC Transit.
- Canceling a Ride: Call CAC Transit to cancel your trip as soon as you know about your change in plans. If you don’t call, the vehicle will make a wasted trip, which uses up limited funding.
Passenger Responsibilities
- Passengers must pay their fare upon entering the vehicle.
- Passengers must wear seat belts while the vehicle is in motion.
- Passengers under four years of age must be transported in a child restraint seat.
- Passengers who are disabled, in wheelchairs, or who need help in performing common tasks are allowed to have an escort or attendant to assist them. The escort or attendant can ride without charge.
- There is no smoking, no chewing tobacco, and no eating or drinking while inside the vehicle.
- Passengers are responsible for their own belongings.
- Passengers will maintain orderly conduct while inside the vehicle. No loud, violent, or abusive conduct (verbal or physical) will be tolerated.
- Passengers carrying or using alcoholic beverages and/or illegal substances will not be permitted to ride.
- Passengers’ dress and hygiene should be at a generally acceptable level that does not offend others.
- Passengers should not tip or offer a gift of any kind to the driver.
- Passengers should not talk to or otherwise distract the driver while he or she is driving.
Driver Responsibilities
- Drivers must wear their seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion.
- Drivers are not permitted to use cell phones while driving. This means with or without a headset of any kind.
- Drivers are required to assist each passenger in and out of the vehicle.
- Drivers are required to assist passengers with packages.
- Drivers are not permitted to enter a passenger’s home for any reason.
- Drivers are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Drivers are not allowed to accept tips, gratuities, or gifts for any reason—ever.
- Drivers are not permitted to administer any medication or sign for any medication at any facility or pharmacy.
- If at any time, you see a CAC Transit driver not living up to any of the above responsibilities while he or she is representing the agency, please report him or her to the CAC Transit Manager at (865) 524-0319.
Transit Safety
Knox County CAC Transit is committed to provide accessible, safe and reliable transportation services to all passengers. All vehicle operators are trained in appropriate safety requirements and applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. In addition, in-service training is provided on a regular basis. All vehicles are maintained on a regular basis through the Knox County Service Center and are equipped with the required safety equipment. All vehicles are equipped with Intelligent Transportation Software which includes mobile data terminals and vehicle tracking devices.
Bad Weather Policy
Knox County CAC Transit is committed to transport passengers to and from their destinations during inclement weather as scheduled. Knox County CAC Transit will only cancel transportation services when passenger safety is at risk. If Knox County CAC Transit is unable to provide transportation, either to or from any destination, the Knox County CAC Transit dispatcher will contact the passenger in order for the passenger to make other transportation arrangements. Please help us by keeping us informed of any transportation changes during inclement weather.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Knox County CAC Transit is committed to maintaining an environment that is free of discrimination. No persons in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, age, sex, disability, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under a program or activity receiving federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation.
ADA MODIFICATIONS REQUEST PROCEDURES
The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is a grant recipient of the Federal Transit Administration and the Tennessee Department of Transportation and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended (section 504). CAC will make reasonable modifications/accommodations to policies, practices, and procedures upon request to avoid discrimination and ensure that our programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities as codified by the Department of Transportation Title 49 CFR Parts 27 and 37.
To request a reasonable modification of our policies and practices, please contact:
Karen Estes, Director of Transportation
Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee
2247 Western Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 524-0319
karen.estes@cactrans.org
CAC ADA/REASONABLE MODIFICATION REQUEST PROCEDURE
The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is a grant recipient of the Federal Transit Administration and the Tennessee Department of Transportation and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended (section 504). CAC will make reasonable modifications/accommodations to policies, practices, and procedures upon request to avoid discrimination and ensure that our programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities as codified by the Department of Transportation Title 49 CFR Parts 27 and 37.
To request a reasonable modification of our policies and practices, please contact:
Karen Estes, Director of Transportation
Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee
2247 Western Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 524-0319
karen.estes@cactrans.org
CAC Transit ADA/ Reasonable Modicafication Complaint Form
The form linked above is to be used by the complainant to file a complaint with CAC. In lieu of this form, the complainant may submit a letter describing the complaint to Karen Estes, Director of Transportation Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee, P.O. Box 51650, Knoxville, TN 37950-1650. CAC will process complaints that are completed. CAC investigates complaints received not later than 60 days after the alleged incident.
CAC TITLE VI
COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (hereinafter referred to as “CAC”) may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form. CAC investigates complaints received not later than 180 days after the alleged incident. CAC will process complaints that are complete.
This is a link to the Title VI Compaint Form.
CAC Title VI Complaint Form
The form linked above is to be used by the complainant to file a complaint with CAC. In lieu of this form, the complainant may submit a letter describing the complaint.
CAC Report of Investigation
The CAC Title VI Coordinator will investigate and use the provided form to summarize and report the findings of an investigation; or the general outline of the form can be incorporated into a report structured by the investigator, if it addresses the essential issues outlined in the form. If it is determined that more information is needed to resolve the complaint, CAC may contact the complainant in writing for additional information. The complainant has 30 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the CAC Title VI Coordinator. If the CAC Title VI Coordinator is not contacted by the complainant or if CAC does not receive the additional information within 30 business days, CAC can administratively close the case. A case can also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case. After the CAC Title VI Coordinator reviews the complaint, she/he will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding. A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. A letter of finding summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff or other action will occur. If the complainant wished to appeal the decision, she/he has 30 days after the day of the closure letter or the letter of finding to do so.
CAC Withdrawal of Complaint or Appeal for Fair Hearing
The form linked above is to be used by the complainant to withdraw a complaint (CAC level) or appeal (state level). A request for withdrawal must be in writing.
CAC Appeal from Finding
The provided form is to be used by the claimant to appeal a finding or the proposed remedial action. This form is submitted directly to the Tennessee Human Rights Commission.
CAC Transit Complaints
A person may also file transportation complaints directly with the Federal Transit Administration, at FTA Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; or the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Civil Rights Division, 505 Deaderick Street Suite 1800, Nashville, TN 37243.
August 1, 2023, Public Notice
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goal for FY 2024-2026
Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) will have a goal of 0.39% of Federal financial assistance expended in Department of Transportation (DOT)-assisted contracts in federal fiscal years 2024-2026 (exclusive of Federal Transit Administration funds to be used for the purchase of transit vehicles) to be spent with firms who are certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) under Department of Transportation regulations (49 CFR part 26). The proposed goal and the entire DBE program document are available for inspection during normal business hours at CAC’s main office for 30 days following the date of this notice. CAC and DOT will accept comments on the goals for 45 days from the date of this notice. Comments on the goal and program, or questions about DBE certification, should be addressed to:
Sue Campbell, DBE Liaison Officer
Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee
P. O. Box 51650, 2247 Western Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37950-1650
or
Office of Civil Rights, Federal Transit Administration/U.S. Department of Transportation, Region IV
230 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303
Volunteer Assisted Transportation (VAT)
Volunteer Assisted Transportation
It’s More Than Just a Ride!
CAC’s Volunteer Assisted Transportation is a non-profit, volunteer-driven program dedicated to providing accessible and affordable transportation services to Knox County seniors and people with disabilities who require aid and assistance to travel safely.
Volunteer drivers provide one-on-one assisted transportation to the frail, and mobility challenged. These individuals require aid and assistance to their destinations, during their outings, and back to their residence(s). VAT not only provides transportation to medical appointments, and the grocery store but we also provide pharmacy pick-up, transportation to social events, senior centers, activities and so much more.
The VAT program is a vital resource to our senior population. VAT assists our local seniors to stay more active, independent and healthy. Won’t you consider donating to Volunteer Assisted Transportation program and help our local seniors thrive by having a Better Quality of Life.
Where the Program Goes
- Doctor Appointments
- Grocery shopping
- Prescription pickup
- Other important appointments
- Social and recreational tips
- Anywhere in Knox County
- Out-of-county trips on a case-by-case basis
Ride Fares
- $3.00 one way (in Knox County)
- $6.00 roundtrip (multiple stops permitted)
- Out-of-county fares vary
Service Availability
Transportation is dependent on the availability of a volunteer driver and vehicle on the day and time that the rider needs it. Anytime the program staff are able to match a volunteer driver and vehicle with a rider’s request, the ride will be provided. Transportation is not limited to “regular” business hours. Available weeknights and weekends based on volunteer availability.
How to Apply
- Contact Volunteer Assisted Transportation at (865) 673-5001
- Complete a rider application
- Eligibility will be determined based on an individual assessment
- Once determined eligible, riders may call the program to place ride requests and receive services.
Help your neighbors get out and about!
Volunteer Drivers Needed
Volunteers use Agency-owned vehicles (and gas) to assist people who might otherwise not be able to leave their homes. Must be 21 years of age and have an excellent driving record.
Qualifications
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and good driving record
- Must be 21 years of age and have at least 3 years of driving experience
- Be able to pass background check, drug test and physical exam
- Desire to assist individuals with special transportation needs
Driver training includes (all fees paid by the program)
- CPR and first-aid certification
- AAA or AARP Driver Improvement Program
- Passenger assistance techniques
- Vehicle orientation
Volunteer Benefits:
- Satisfaction of helping others
- Accomplishment in providing a much-needed community service
- Developing new friendships with Riders and other Volunteers
- Flexible Scheduling – Agency Vehicles Provided
- FREE Training Provided
Funding Sources
This project is funded under an agreement with the Federal Transit Administration and the Tennessee Department of Transportation and is administered by the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) members participate as volunteer drivers.