Smart CATS Comprehensive Operational Analaysis 2024

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The Smart CATS Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) is a system-wide look at the entire CATS bus network: where the buses go, and how often they run.

What Is a Comprehensive Operational Analysis?

To better plan for future service, system-wide improvements, and funding allocation, the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) underwent a Comprehensive Operations Assessment (COA). Referred to as SmartCATS – a Blueprint for Stronger Connections, the COA is a 10-year service and operations evaluation. The COA evaluates the existing fixed-route bus system to determine effective delivery of quality service by identifying where riders are coming from and going to, bottlenecks in the system, and how routes could perform better. The COA also measures how funding is allocated and provides recommendations for new or improved services.

This report presents the COA Public Outreach Report, the Existing Conditions Report, and the Final Recommendations Report. These three documents were developed to guide CATS as they improve service and implement new projects and are presented in the following sections of this report.

The COA Final Recommendations Report provides recommendations that incorporate public input, reflect data-based analyses, and effectively utilize tax dollars. The COA provides a roadmap for CATS to follow as we work to improve service and implement system-wide enhancements. Below are a few key improvements identified within the recommendations. Full details, including scenario development and analysis can be found in the COA Final Recommendations Report section.

  • Improve service on core routes.
  • Travel times from key areas are anticipated to experience about a 13% to 15% travel time improvement in the recommended network.
  • Four (4) new bus routes
    • BRAPID Plank-Nicholson Bus Rapid Transit
    • 25 - Old Hammond Hwy
    • 56 - Amazon Connector
    • 67 - Plank Rd - North
  • Increase the number of 30-minute frequency routes.
  • Establish same time departures from the CATS Terminal at either :15 or :45 after the hour.

 

Public Outreach Report | Existing Conditions Report | Final Executive Summary

What Do I Need to Know?

Not all routes will be changing at one time. TThe implementation of the route changes and new routes will occur over three (3) years, starting in October 2024. These incremental changes ensure that the public has time to adapt and adjust to the new reality. Times and dates for public outreach events will be posted and updated here as the project progresses. CATS wants to hear your thoughts and ideas on these proposals. Individual route schedules will become available once routes have been confirmed.

CATS On Demand riders may experience a change in the 3/4 of a mile zone that buffers the fixed route service. More details on these changes to come.

Upon completion of the North Transit Center (5275 Airline Hwy), all routes serving stop #1004 - Earl K. Long Transfer Center - N will be routed to the new transit center.

 

Public Outreach Events

CATS will post and update a list of times, dates, and locations where passengers and stakeholders can attend. Events will be updated once more information becomes available.

Date Location Nearest Bus Route Time
Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 CATS Terminal, 2222 Florida Blvd 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 21, 41, 44, 47, 70 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Thursday, August 22nd, 2024  Baker Branch Library, 3501 Groom Rd 70, LYNX 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Wednesday, August 28th, 2024 Charles R. Kelly Community Center, 3535 Riley St 41 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 Leo S. Butler Community Center, 950 Lorri Burgess Ave 14 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Week of September 8th Hatley/Vey Park at Gardere, 1702 Gardere Ln 46 To Be Announced

 

Submit your thoughts and ideas HERE.

 

 Phase 1 Route Changes - October 2024

 Phase 2 Route Changes - October 2025

Phase 3 Route Changes - March 2026
Route 08 Route 11 Route 22
Route 10 Route 15 Route 25
Route 13 Route 20 Route 41 / BRAPID - Plank-Nicholson BRT
Route 14 Route 23 Route 58
Route 17 Route 54 Route 67
Route 21    
Route 44    
Route 46    
Route 56    
Route 70    

Proposed Bus Routes

Summary of Proposed Route Changes by Phase

Proposed System Map

 

Phase 1 Route Changes - October 2024

Route 08

  • This route is proposed to be eliminated to become the new route 13 - North St / Greenwell Springs Rd

Route 10 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service extended to the Crestworth neighborhood via Scenic Hwy, Mille Ave, Ave K and Blount Rd

Route 13 - NEW | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service replaces route 8 - Gus Young Ave
  • New direct service from the CATS Terminal to Amazon-Cortana
  • Service merged with route 21 - Fairfields Ave / Greenwell Springs Rd to create a 30-minute route between Ardenwood and Amazon-Cortana

Route 14 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service removed from Roosevelt St between Nicholson Dr and River Rd, Indiana St, and Daniel Webster Dr
  • Service will connect with the planned BRAPID McKinley St Station Northbound and return via McKinley St and Alaska St

Route 17 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 30 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • This route is to be rerouted through the Health District

Route 21 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service merged with route 13 - North St / Greenwell Springs Rd to create a 30-minute route between Ardenwood and Amazon-Cortana

Route 44 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 30 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 30 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 30 minutes
  • Service to be streamlined along Florida Blvd between Ardenwood Dr and Lobdell Blvd, replacing route 72 - Florida Blvd LIMITED
  • Service to rerouted to the Town Square bus stop, no longer beginning, or ending on 4th St at Laurel St

Route 46 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service no longer travelling to Amazon-Cortana
    • Service to Amazon-Cortana can be achieved by transferring to route 56
  • Service will be rerouted through the Health District and extended to Woman's Hospital via Siegen Ln and Jefferson Hwy

Route 56 - NEW | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 90 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 90 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 90 minutes
  • Restoring direct service from the Mall of Louisiana to Amazon-Cortana
    • Replacing some of route 46
  • Service to the Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital
  • Service to the Department of Veteran Affairs Hospital on Essen Park Ave during business hours on trips to Amazon-Cortana only

Route 60

  • This route is to be eliminated but service on other routes will cover in its place
    • Route 17
      • Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
    • Route 46
      • Woman's Hospital
      • Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
      • Baton Rouge General
      • Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove (until route 58 is changed)
    • Route 56
      • Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital
      • Department of Veteran Affairs Hospital
    • Route 58
      • Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove

Route 70 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service to be operated to the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) on all trips
  • Service to be operated to Southern University's F.G. Clark Center on all trips
  • Service removed from Baker Blvd and Alabama St

Phase 2 Route Changes - October 2025

Route 11 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 90 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 90 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 90 minutes
  • Service removed from McClelland Dr, Glen Oaks Dr, Blue Grass Dr and Cadillac St in the Glen Oaks neighborhood
  • Service replaces route 15 - Blount Rd along Greenwell St, Lanier Dr, Mickens Rd, and Hooper Rd
  • Service no longer travels to the Crestworth neighborhood
  • Service to Scotland Ave/Hwy 19, Blount Rd, Veterans Memorial Blvd

Route 15

  • This route is proposed to be eliminated with parts of the route being serviced by routes 10 - Scenic Hwy, 11 - Northside Circulator, 54 - Airline Hwy and 67 - Plank Rd North 

Route 20 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service removed from Brookstown Dr to Airline Hwy

Route 23 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service extended to the Health District via I-10
  • No service along Corporate Blvd between College Dr and CitiPlace. Service will be operated by route 25

Route 54 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service to be streamlined along Airline Hwy between Florline Blvd and Winbourne Ave
  • Service to be removed from Airway Dr, Tom Dr and Wooddale Blvd
  • Service to be removed from Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR). Service will be provided by route 70 - CATS Terminal / Baker

Phase 3 Route Changes - March 2026

BRAPID - Plank Rd - Downtown - Nicholson Dr | MAP

  • This route will be Louisiana's FIRST bus rapid transit (BRT) project. This route will be replacing the regular route 41 - Plank Rd in March of 2026. Learn more batonrougebrt.com or visit the MOVEBR Project Page.

Route 41

Route 22 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • This route will end at the BRAPID Chippewa St Station Southbound
  • No service along Chippewa St between Scenic Hwy and 3rd St
  • No service through Downtown Baton Rouge via 3rd St, 4th St/St. Ferdinand St

Route 25 - NEW | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • New service between CitiPlace and Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge along the following streets:
    • Corporate Blvd between CitiPlace and Jefferson Hwy
    • Old Hammond Hwy between Jefferson Hwy and O'Neal Ln
    • O'Neal Ln between Old Hammond Hwy and S. Harrell's Ferry Rd
    • S. Harrell's Ferry Rd between O'Neal Ln and Millerville Rd
    • Millerville Rd between S. Harrell's Ferry Rd and Old Hammond Hwy (inbound to CitiPlace only)

Route 58 | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service to be rerouted to the Mall of Louisiana along Bluebonnet Blvd
  • Service to the Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove during business hours on trips to the Mall of Louisiana

Route 67 - NEW | MAP

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 90 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 90 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 90 minutes
  • New direct service from the North Transit Center (formerly Earl K. Long) to the Baker Walmart

Routes With No Proposed Changes

 

Route 12

  • No proposed changes to this route
  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes

Route 16

  • No proposed changes to this route
  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 30 minutes
    • SATURDAY: No service
    • SUNDAY: No service

Route 18

  • No proposed changes to this route
  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes

Route 47

  • No proposed changes to this route
  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 30 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 30 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 30 minutes

Route 57

  • No proposed changes to this route
  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 45 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes

Route 59

  • No proposed changes to this route
  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes

Updated August 9, 2024, 08:42 AM CST