CATA to launch lunchtime bus route between downtown and Old Town

LANSING — For state workers, getting to favorite Old Town lunch spots just got easier. 

Starting Aug. 27, the Capital Area Transportation Authority will offer free rides between Old Town and downtown over the lunch hour. 

The Grab & Go Express will operate Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. with departures every 15 minutes. The free route will be a one-year pilot program.

“My hope is that this is very successful and we launch into a number of circulators in the future," said CATA CEO Bradley T. Funkhouser

Waiving the fare makes it easier for people to hop on and off the route since they won't be fumbling with cash and tickets, he said. Funkhouser said he also expects to collect feedback to tweak the route to make it more user friendly. 

The route will stop at 26 bus stops along Washington Avenue, Shiawassee Street, Larch Street, Oakland Avenue, César E. Chávez Avenue, Ottawa Avenue, Pine Street, Allegan Street and Kalamazoo Street.

Contact reporter Haley Hansen at (517) 267-1344 or hhansen@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @halehansen.