CATS and Via Celebrate Four Years of Expanding Transportation Access in Baker and Baton Rouge
Capital Area Transportation System (CATS) and Via approach four years of partnership expanding transportation access across the Baton Rouge area with Baker’s award-winning LYNX microtransit service.
Since inception, the LYNX service alone has delivered over 230,000 reliable and affordable on-demand rides in Baker, with connections to the broader CATS network. LYNX launched in 2022 to serve residents in what had been identified as a transit desert. It serves as a vital lifeline for the city of Baker, covering nearly 13,000 residents and 2,000 jobs. At $1.75 per trip, riders are picked up in less than 20 minutes on average, with major destinations including grocery stores, schools, and medical facilities that are not accessible on the fixed-route.
“Livability starts with access,” said Darnell Waites, the Mayor of Baker. “When residents are empowered with mobility options designed with them in mind, they find increased access to opportunity. These services help Baker be a more connected, resilient community — this benefits families, local businesses, and our city as a whole.”
Building on the success of LYNX, Via and CATS expanded their partnership in 2024 to modernize the system’s ADA paratransit service, CATS On-Demand. Ridership continues to grow, with trips up 26% year-over-year. Meanwhile, the service is run at a 13% more cost efficient rate than pre-pandemic levels.
“The success of LYNX and CATS on Demand reflects our commitment to building a transit system that truly works for the people of Baton Rouge,” said Theo Richards, CEO of CATS. “By expanding access to reliable, flexible transportation, we’re helping more residents connect to jobs, healthcare, and education while strengthening the fabric of our community.”
In 2023, the City of Baker received a Community Achievement Award from the Louisiana Municipal Association in recognition of LYNX’s impact advancing municipal services statewide.
About Capital Area Transit System and Via
The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) and Via partner to expand access to safe, reliable and innovative public transportation in Baton Rouge and Baker. CATS operates a range of services, including fixed-route bus service, LYNX microtransit and CATS On-Demand paratransit, with a focus on accessibility, efficiency and continuous improvement. Via provides the technology platform that powers CATS’ on-demand services, including LYNX and CATS On-Demand, enabling dynamic, data-driven routing, improved operational efficiency and a more responsive rider experience. A global leader in transit technology, Via supports public transportation systems in hundreds of cities across more than 30 countries, helping agencies modernize service, reduce costs and better connect people to jobs, health care and education.