The largely empty seats as new CATS buses have zig-zagged through their routes around town in their first month of operation have concerned some citizens.  Said one Cookeville resident, "I know everyone seems excited, but I just don't see the point.  It looks like a waste of money, if you ask me." 

But Senator Jim Tracy, Chairman of the Tennessee Transportation Committee, helped paint a different picture for the crowd celebrating the CATS launch Friday. 

Sen. Tracy stated that he believes that the Cookeville Area Transit System (CATS) is a significant growth indicator for the area.  “Right now, in this country, with the way economy is, we need to do everything we can to encourage jobs.  This CATS system is very supportive of that.  Oak Ridge did a study that shows every one dollar invested in public transportation translates into four to nine dollars in the local economy.”

Is that going to be true for us?   Mayor Sam Sallee pointed out that the CATS system has been in service for 34 days.  As of Friday, there have been 1530 total rides, with 240 riders this week through Thursday.   It’s averaging about 50 riders a day.”

That's, admitedly, not a lot.  But Sallee indicated that he thought there would be many more riders after Friday's kick-off.    According to the presentations, the first month was about creating visibility and fully piloting the bus program.  Now, with an official kick-off, the buses are reportedly ready to move into full utilization. 

Representative Bill Harmon expressed that he was "tickled" at the level of cooperation and support the initiative has gotten, thanking Senators Lincoln Davis and Bart Gordon for their follow through in appropriations. 

Keynote speaker, Congressman Lincoln Davis pointed out that those who have grown up in the Upper Cumberland can see the progress.  He recalled starting to school in 1949, when there was no transportation system in Fentress county.  Davis explained that his father bought a "hump-backed" bus in 1954 and that the county paid him to haul students to school -- creating the first public transportation in Fentress county. 

Said Davis, “Health care, education, and transportation are the three bases that will determine the success of any community, any town, any civilization,  or any people.”   He indicated that the CATS achievement was one more milestone in the progress of our economy. 

UCHRA Director Phyllis Bennett was commended for her tenacity and leadership, as was Mayor Sam Sallee, in making the CATS reality for Cookeville.  

About the Buses:

Riding the bus is inexpensive. Cost for adults is just $1.00 per trip, $3.00 for a day pass, $25 for a 30 trip pass, or $10.00 for 10 trips; children 5 years and under ride free. (Tennessee Technological University students are free with student identification cards.)

These ride tickets and all day passes can be purchased at the UCHRA Putnam County Office located at Williams Enterprise Drive, Cookeville, TN.

See this article's gallery for route maps or go to the CATS website for all the routes and more specific information.