Riders' Guide
Planning on riding a CAT bus? Here is everything you need to know about using the City of Raleigh's public transit system - how to catch a CAT, make a transfer, find bus stops, how to read a schedule, and much more! Now you're ready. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
How do I plan my trip? To easily find the quickest and easiest way to reach your destination visit www.GoTriangle.org, our regional trip planner, or call the GoTriangle Regional Call Center at 919-485-RIDE(7433). Our Customer Service Representatives are ready to help you from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays and on Sundays and holidays* from 8 :00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. When calling, be prepared to tell the Customer Service Representative the following information:
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Where you are
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Where you want to go
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When you want to leave or arrive
Have a pencil and piece of paper ready to write down the information.
Where do I get a schedule?
Click on any of the routes listed for a detailed map and schedule. You can also pick up schedules and route maps at any of these locations:
- Moore Square Station Information Booth
- Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex (City Hall), 222 W. Hargett St.
- Many downtown government buildings
- All Raleigh branches of Wake County Public Libraries
- Employment Security Commission (ESC)
- YMCA and YWCA
- Wake County Human Services
- WakeMed
- CAT Operations Office, 1430 South Blount Street
- On the CAT buses
Or, call 919-485-RIDE(7433). We'll be glad to assist you. CAT route and schedule information is also available on the internet. Click here for route information.
Where do I catch the bus? You can catch a CAT bus at one of the many bus stop signs located throughout Raleigh. These signs are conveniently located along each route. (Please be at your stop a few minutes early–the bus is expected within 5 minutes of the scheduled time.
If there is not a stop on an established route near where you live, please call the City of Raleigh Transit Division at (919) 996-4046 or email catinfo@ci.raleigh.nc.us to request that a bus stop be added. If you would like to suggest a new bus route please call (919) 996-4048 or email catinfo@ci.raleigh.nc.us.
How do I recognize my bus? Each bus is equipped with an identification sign displaying the route name, number and direction of travel on the front of the bus above the driver, and on the side of the bus, beside the front door. Some buses also display the route number on the rear of the bus, in the upper right-hand corner. Buses that are not operating on a regular CAT route will display a message such as “GARAGE,” “SPECIAL,” or “OUT OF SERVICE.”
How do I pay? Most CAT buses are equipped with electronic fare boxes that accept all U.S. coins and currency. The fare boxes do not return cash change. Tell your driver before you overpay so he or she can signal the farebox. The farebox will then give you a magnetic stripe encoded change card that you may use on your next trip. Click here for fare information.
How do I transfer? If one route doesn't take you where you want to go, you'll need to transfer to another bus. Ask the driver for a free transfer ticket when you pay your fare on the first bus. When boarding the second bus insert your transfer into the slot on the farebox. Transfers are valid only for the next scheduled trip on an intersecting route. You may not use a transfer on a non-intersecting route. You may request another transfer from the driver of the second bus if needed to complete your one-way trip.
Connecting routes. Some CAT routes are paired and form interconnecting routes. This makes it easy to get from one part of town to another without leaving the bus. On their way across town, buses stop at Moore Square Station to pick up passengers. Stay on the bus if you are continuing across town - you don't need a transfer. As the bus enters Moore Square Station the identification sign will change to reflect the new route.
Where should I sit? The seats in the front of the bus – directly behind the driver and next to the front door – should be offered to passengers who are senior citizens or or have mobility impairments. Otherwise, just pick any seat and relax! When seated, please keep arms, legs, and personal items out of the aisles.
For the safety and comfort of everyone on board, please refrain from smoking, eating, or drinking. Operating audio equipment without headphones is prohibited. Pets are not allowed. Service animals are permitted.
How should I disembark? While enjoying the ride, remember to watch for your stop. Signal the driver a block before your stop by pressing the rubber strip or pulling the cord beside the window. Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before you stand to exit. Whenever possible, please use the rear door. Push the door open when the bus comes to a complete stop (a green light above the rear door will come on when it is safe to open the door).
What days do you operate? Except for holidays all cat routes operate Monday - Friday. On Saturdays Routes 18 Worthdale and Route 19 Apollo Heights do not operate and this area is served by the combined Route 35 Poole Road. All other routes operate. On Sundays we provide reduced service on 9 routes. See the individual route and schedule brochures or visit www.GoTriangle.org for hours of operation.
What holidays do you observe? cat does not operate on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. We operate on a Saturday schedule on Memorial Day. *The GoTriangle Regional Call Center is open every day except Christmas Day.
What is the difference between a cat route, a catConnector route and an Express route? A radialcat route can always be identified because there is not a letter associated with the route number. These routes are radial routes that start and end in Moore Square Station in downtown Raleigh. These routes operate along major corridors or serve destinations with high ridership. catConnector routes can always be identified by the letter "c" after their route number. They generally do not serve Moore Square Station. They are designed as neighborhood circulators or cross-town routes and allow riders to connect to a radial cat route. Some catConnectors have timed connections with radial cat routes. Express routes are identified by the letter "e" after their route number. Express routes have limited stops generally located at either end of the route.
What if I have lost or found something?If you have found an item on the bus please give it to your driver! Did you leave an item on the bus? It may be in our lost and found! Please call 919-833-5701 extension 230. Be prepared to describe the item to the representative. Items may be picked up at the CAT Operations Office, 1430 S. Blount St., Raleigh from 8 AM – 5 PM Monday – Friday. Route 21 Caraleigh serves this destination.
For More Information Contact:
Gabe Workman
Transit Marketing Specialist
Public Works Department
222 West Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-996-3030
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