- Knox County Schools
- Homepage
Freedom Pass Gives Free Transit Rides To Students
The City of Knoxville, Knoxville Area Transit and KCS recently announced a pilot program that will provide students with unlimited rides on KAT buses.
The new Freedom Pass will allow rides on KAT’s fixed-route bus service through Dec. 31, 2021. The passes will be mailed to the parents of all Knox County public school students in Grades 6-12. Younger students are not required to have a pass.
“This program will not replace the school-bus service provided by Knox County Schools, and the district will continue to offer before- and after-school transportation,” Superintendent Bob Thomas said. “However, we believe that making KAT service more affordable will help students pursue jobs or activities outside of school hours, and broaden their access to cultural institutions such as libraries, museums, and college campuses.”
Information about routes, bus stops and trip planning is available on the KAT website, katbus.com, or by downloading the free KATbus Tracker App, which is available on the App Store for IOS users or on Google Play for Android users.
“The City’s Freedom Pass program will increase access to after-school activities, jobs, parks, libraries and so much more at no cost to families,” said Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. “This was a promise I made to voters on the campaign trail and one that could go a long way in enriching the lives of students, easing financial burdens and helping our environment all at the same time.”
For more details, visit the City of Knoxville website.