Smart CATS Comprehensive Operational Analaysis 2025

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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.

[View Executive Summary Report Here]

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.

  • Enhancing service on core transit routes to improve frequency and reliability
  • Introducing four new bus routes over the coming years:
    • BRAPID Plank-Nicholson Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Learn more here.
    • Old Hammond Highway route
    • Amazon Connector service
    • Plank Road – North route
  • Establishing timed transfers at key locations to improve connections
  • Advancing the All Stops Accessible Project (ASAP) to ensure accessibility at all stops

What Do I Need to Know?

The implementation of the route changes and new routes will start on Sunday, June 29, 2025. These 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. Learn more HERE.

Public Outreach Events

Date

Time

Location
Monday, May 12 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Earl K. Long
Tuesday, May 13 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM CATS Terminal
Wednesday, May 14 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Scotlandville
Thursday, May 15 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Mall of Louisiana
Friday, May 16 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Amazon - Cortana
Monday, May 19 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Earl K. Long
Wednesday, May 21 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM Scotlandville
Thursday, May 22 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM Mall of Louisiana
Friday, May 23 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM  CATS Terminal
Friday, May 23 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM Amazon - Cortana

 

Submit your thoughts and ideas HERE.

 

Bus Routes

 

Route 8

  • This route will be discontinued and replaced by Route 14.

 

Route 10

1. Removal of I-110 Routing:

  • Previous Service: Route 70 formerly utilized I-110 for rapid access between the CATS Terminal and northern areas, such as Scotlandville and Baker.

  • Current/Proposed: Service now uses Scenic Hwy entirely, merging with former Route 70. This change improves neighborhood coverage and reduces reliance on expressway travel but may impact travel times.

2. Elimination of Baker Blvd/Alabama St Segment:

  • Reason: Safety concerns over unprotected left turns have led to rerouting away from this segment.

  • Impact: Service is no longer provided on Baker Blvd/Alabama St, which may reduce accessibility for riders in that corridor but improves overall route safety and reliability.

3. Consolidation of Service to Baker:

  • Route 10 has absorbed Route 70’s function of serving Baker, ensuring continued connectivity for northern suburbs with a simplified route structure.

 

Route 11

1. One-Way Loop Implementation:

  • A new one-way, counter-clockwise loop has been introduced to simplify and expand service coverage in North Baton Rouge. This design helps combine coverage of both Routes 11 and 15, reducing redundancies and streamlining route planning.

2. Removal of Service from Cadillac Street and Blue Grass Drive:

  • Service has been eliminated from Cadillac St and Blue Grass Dr, due to low ridership and operational inefficiencies.

  • This change slightly reduces east-west micro-neighborhood access but enhances reliability and speed.

3. Improved Integration with Route 15:

  • The combined loop structure ensures complementary service with Route 15, particularly in underserved portions of Glen Oaks and Merrydale.

  • Enhances access to schools, medical clinics, and neighborhood centers by reducing route duplication. 

Route 12

There are no changes to the routing of this service.

 

Route 14

  • Merger of Route 8 with Route 14:
    • Route 8 is eliminated and absorbed into the redesigned Route 14, improving connectivity and reducing duplication.
    • Riders along Gus Young and nearby corridors now benefit from one continuous route.
    • Service area preserved: While some Route 8 stops may be consolidated, core destinations remain served through the new alignment.
  • Improved Directness & Access:
    • The updated Route 14 eliminates operational deficiencies and aligns more clearly with rider travel patterns, especially from neighborhoods to LSU and downtown.
  • Balanced Neighborhood & University Focus:
    • The new routing ensures equitable access to education, jobs, and services for underserved communities.

 

Route 15

This route will be discontinued and replaced by Route 11.

 

Route 16

This route will be discontinued with service to, from and around Downtown being covered by Routes 22, 44 and 47.

 

Route 17

There are no changes to the routing of this service.

 

Route 18

There are no changes to the routing of this service.

 

Route 20

1. Reroute to Airline Hwy:

  • Previous Routing: Used Evangeline Street to Brookstown Dr, including an unprotected left turn at a high-risk intersection.

  • New Routing: Bypasses the unsafe turn by rerouting service to Airline Highway, which allows for safer, signalized turns and better reliability.

2. Enhanced Safety and Travel Time:

  • The shift to Airline Highway improves safety for operators and riders by avoiding collision-prone intersections.

  • Streamlining this segment also reduces potential delays during peak hours.

3. Retained Neighborhood Access:

  • Despite the reroute, Route 20 continues to serve Brookstown, Fairwoods, and South Merrydale by looping through Prescott Rd and Evangeline St, maintaining coverage while improving efficiency.

 

Route 21

1. Introduction of Greenwell Springs Rd Service:

  • Proposed Change: New routing extends service along Greenwell Springs Rd, covering residential areas near Castlewood and Oakcrest.

  • Purpose: Expands transit access to underserved northeast neighborhoods and increases east-side coverage.

2. Introduction of Harry Dr Segment (reassigned from Route 44):

  • Previous: Route 21 traveled segments of N. Bon Marche Dr, overlapping with route 22.

  • New: Service is rerouted to Harry Dr to allow Route 44 - Florida Blvd to operate exclusively on Florida Blvd, improving overall route clarity and reducing redundancy.

3. One-Way Loop on Fairfields Ave and North St:

  • Updated Routing:

    • Fairfields Ave = Outbound to Amazon - Cortana only

    • North St = Inbound to CATS Terminal only

  • Purpose: Maintains bi-directional coverage through residential corridors while improving traffic flow and service efficiency.

 

Route 22

1. Removal of Bon Marche Loop:

  • Previous Routing: Included an outbound and inbound loop to Bon Marche Dr near the Florida Blvd corridor.

  • Proposed Change: Loop removed, and service reassigned to Route 21, which now covers that area.

  • Impact: Reduces travel time along the route and eliminates redundancy.

2. Core Focus on Winbourne Avenue:

  • Winbourne remains the central corridor with uninterrupted east-west service.

  • This corridor provides fast, reliable trips between Downtown and Northeast Baton Rouge.

  • Future connections with the BRAPID bus rapid transit line will be possible with stations at Winbourne Ave and Chippewa St.

 

Route 23

There are no changes to the routing of this service.

 

Route 41

There are no changes to the routing of this service.

This route will be replaced with BRAPID, Louisiana's first bus rapid transit line. Learn more here.

 

Route 44

1. Removal of Harry Drive Segment:

  • Previous Routing: Included deviation along Harry Dr near Melrose East.

  • Proposed Change: Route will now remain exclusively on Florida Blvd, improving directness and travel time.

  • Impact: Simplifies the route for riders seeking quicker, more reliable service. Coverage on Harry Dr will be shifted to Route 21.

2. Reinforcement of Florida Blvd as a Core Transit Spine:

  • By remaining solely on Florida Blvd, Route 44 is optimized for trunk-style service, supporting faster travel, more predictable schedules, and efficient stop placement.

 

Route 46

1. Service Returns to Gardere Lane:

  • Purpose: Improves connections to Route 47 and enhances service reliability for southern riders.

2. Return to the Mall of Louisiana:

  • Restores service to the Mall of Louisiana, improving access for shoppers and employees and easier connections.

3. Coverage Added for Part of Eliminated Route 60:

  • Absorbs key segments of the discontinued Route 60, particularly along Summa Avenue and medical corridors, maintaining access to hospitals and doctors’ offices.

4. Better Healthcare Access via Health District:

  • Restored and expanded routing through Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Baton Rouge General, making this route critical for both patient and employee mobility.

 

Route 47

There are no changes to the routing of this service. 

Route 54

1. Inbound Reroute via Victoria Street:

  • Previous Routing: Buses utilized the Greenwell Springs Service Rd.

  • Proposed Change: Inbound buses rerouted via Victoria St to improve safety and avoid unprotected left turns.

2. West End Turnaround Shifted to Rosenwald Road:

  • Previous Routing: Service utilized Stilt St.

  • New Routing: Turnaround officially moved to Rosenwald Rd, which simplifies operator movements.

3. Service to BTR Airport Maintained:

  • Route continues to serve Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport despite broader network changes — maintaining key access for air travelers and airport employees.

 

Route 56

1. Return to Industriplex Blvd:

  • Restores service to support employees of the Amazon DLB2 distribution center.

  • Ensures improved last-mile transit access to a high-demand employment area.

2. Addition of Constantin Blvd (Future):

  • Once construction is complete, routing will shift to Constantin Blvd, improving alignment and connectivity through the Health District.

3. Service to Ochsner Medical Center – The Grove (Limited):

  • Will now only operate Monday–Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays 8 AM to 1 PM, catering to healthcare employees’ shifts and passenger appointments.

4. Reintegration with Hospital & Retail Network:

  • Maintains strong links to Our Lady of the Lake, Mall of Louisiana, and Woman’s Hospital, centralizing access to Baton Rouge’s primary health and retail services.

 

Route 57

There are no changes to the routing of this service.

 

Routes 58 and 59

1. Route 59 will be rerouted to the traffic signal on Oak Villa Blvd at Crossway Dr.

 

Route 60

This service will be discontinued. Service will be replaced by Routes 46 and 56.

 

Route 70

This service will be discontiued. Service will be replaced by Route 10.

UPDATED 6/5/2025