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 [Learn more here.]
    • 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 to facilitate easier transfers.

 

What Do I Need to Know?

Not all routes will be changing at one time. The implementation of the route changes and new routes will occur over three (3) years, starting on Sunday, October 20, 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.

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.

The CATS Board of Commissioners approved the Phase 1 changes at their monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024.

 

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 Cancelled due to Hurricane Francine

 

Submit your thoughts and ideas HERE.

 

 Phase 1 Route Changes - Fall 2024

 Phase 2 Route Changes - 2025

Phase 3 Route Changes - 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 67
Route 21    
Route 44    
Route 46    
Route 54    
Route 56    
Route 70    

Proposed Bus Routes

Summary of Proposed Route Changes by Phase

Proposed System Map

 

Phase 1 Route Changes

Route 08

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

Route 10 - CATS Terminal - Scotlandville via Scenic Hwy / Blount Rd / Hwy 19 | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service extended to Blount Rd and Hwy 19 / Scotland Ave

Route 11 - Earl K. Long - Crestview via Glen Oaks / 72nd Ave / Scotlandville | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • Buses will officially use Rosenwald Rd to Earl K. Long

Route 12 - CATS Terminal - Mall of Louisiana via Government St / Jefferson Hwy | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • No changes to the route
  • Buses will operate every 60 minutes

[!!!] NEW | Route 13 - CATS Terminal - Amazon-Cortana via North St / Greenwell Springs Rd | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 120 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 Dr and Amazon - Cortana

Route 14 - CATS Terminal - McKinley St via Thomas Delpit Dr / Roosevelt St | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • 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 15 - Earl K. Long - Crestworth via Glen Oaks / Mickens Rd / Blount Rd | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • No changes to this route or schedule

Route 16 - Downtown Circulator via 3rd St / 4th St | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 30 minutes
  • Service removed from North Campus parking lot

Route 17 - CATS Terminal - Mall of Louisiana via Perkins Rd / Health District | MAP | SCHEDULE

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

Route 18 - Amazon-Cortana - Tigerland via Corporate Blvd / College Dr / Lee Dr | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • No changes to this route or schedule

Route 20 - CATS Terminal - Earl K. Long via N. Acadian Thwy | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • No changes to this route or schedule

Route 21 - CATS Terminal - Amazon-Cortana via Fairfields Ave / Greenwell Springs Rd | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 120 minutes
  • Service merged with route 13 - North St / Greenwell Springs Rd to create a 30-minute route between Ardenwood and Amazon - Cortana

Route 22 - Amazon-Cortana - Downtown Baton Rouge via Winbourne Ave | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • This route will not service N. Bon Marche Dr. Use route(s) 13 and/or 21.
  • Schedule adjusted

Route 23 - Earl K. Long - CitiPlace via Foster Dr | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • No changes to this route or schedule

Route 41 - CATS Terminal - Earl K. Long via Plank Rd | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • This route will have construction roadwork in preparation for the Plank - Nicholson Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routeConstruction is expected to begin in Fall of 2024 and end in Spring of 2026. Stop closures will be announced in the MyStop app.
  • No changes to this route
  • Schedule adjusted

Route 44 - Downtown Baton Rouge - CATS Terminal - Amazon-Cortana via Florida Blvd | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 30 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 30 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 45 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 to service East Baton Rouge Parish Library - River Center Branch Library, Baton Rouge City Hall, 19th Judicial District Court and Baton Rouge City Court 

Route 46 - L'auberge Casino & Hotel - Mall of Louisiana - Woman's Hospital via Gardere / Health District / Jefferson Hwy | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • 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
  • Service to the Ochsner Medical Center - The Grove on trips headed to the Mall of Louisiana from Woman's Hospital during business hours only

Route 47 - CATS Terminal - Mall of Louisiana via Highland Rd / LSU | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • No changes to this route
  • Schedule adjusted

Route 54 - Amazon-Cortana - Scotlandville via Airline Hwy / Harding Blvd | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 minutes
  • Service will be removed from the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR). BTR will be served by Route 70.
  • Service will be extended to Blount Rd and Hwy 19 / Scotland Ave.

[!!!]  NEW | Route 56 - Amazon-Cortana - Mall of Louisiana via Health District / Drusilla Ln | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • FREQUENCY
    • WEEKDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SATURDAY: Every 60 minutes
    • SUNDAY: Every 60 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 57 - Amazon-Cortana - Mall of Louisiana via Greenwell Springs Rd / Sherwood Forest Blvd / Siegen Ln | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • No changes to this route
  • Weekday schedules have been adjusted to reflect actual travel times and traffic

Route 58 - Amazon-Cortana - Ochsner Medical Center via Coursey Blvd / O'Neal Ln | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • No changes to this route
  • Schedule adjusted

Route 59 - Amazon-Cortana - Ochsner Medical Center via Florida Blvd Service Rd / O'Neal Ln | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • No changes to this route
  • Schedule adjusted

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
    • Route 56
      • Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital
      • Department of Veteran Affairs Hospital

Route 70 - CATS Terminal - City of Baker via I-110 / Hwy 19 / Groom Rd | MAP | SCHEDULE

  • 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

Updated October 2, 2024, 08:03 AM CST