How to Ride

An older man wearing glasses, a plaid shirt and a Carhartt jacket smiles while seated on a CATS transit bus with light blue seats.

Reservations

Trip Request Hours & Guidelines

  • Hours of Operation: Trip requests are accepted Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Rural Service Area: Requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

  • Piketon Service Area: Requests should be made at least one hour in advance.

  • Waverly City Service Area: This service Area operates on demand.

  • Next-Day Service: All reservations for next-day service must be made by 10 a.m. the previous day.

  • Weekends/Evenings: Reservations for all service areas not requiring 24-hour notice will be accepted through general voicemail during evening and weekend hours

How to Arrange a Ride

To schedule a trip, call CATS dispatch at 740-853-8474 and provide the following:

  • Your name

  • Desired CATS arrival time

  • Pickup location

  • Destination address

  • Approximate return time

  • If you need a wheelchair tie-down or are traveling with a service animal

Confirmation Process

Trips for the rural service area will require a call to the office the day prior to your ride after 3 p.m. to confirm pickup time. You will receive an automated confirmation call the evening before your ride.

Cancellations & No Shows

Trips can be canceled anytime by contacting the CATS dispatch office at 740-853-8474. To avoid being marked as a “No Show,” cancellations must be made at least two (2) hours before the scheduled pick-up time.

If a passenger misses 20% of their scheduled trips in a month, the Transportation Operations Manager will arrange a meeting to discuss ways to prevent future no-shows.

Pick-ups

  • Wait Time: Drivers will wait up to 3 minutes for passengers to board

  • Preparation: Passengers must be ready to board 15 minutes before their scheduled pick-up time to ensure timely service for all riders. We recommend waiting in a location where you can see the vehicle’s arrival.

Assistance

CATS provides door-to-door service, assisting passengers from the door of their origin to the door of their destination. This includes:

  • Boarding and deboarding assistance

  • Securing packages

  • Ensuring accessible safety

  • Helping with seat belts before departure

Important: All riders under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Inclement Weather

CATS will operate during inclement weather unless the Pike County Sheriff’s Office declares a Level 3 weather emergency. If road conditions are hazardous, services may be restricted. We will notify passengers if service cannot be provided and make arrangements to ensure all passengers are safely transported home.

Holidays

CATS and the Community Action Committee of Pike County are closed on the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day (January 1)

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

  • Memorial Day

  • Juneteenth

  • Independence Day (July 4)

  • Labor Day

  • Veterans Day

  • Thanksgiving Day

  • Day after Thanksgiving

  • Holiday Gathering

  • Christmas Eve

  • Christmas Day

Agency Assistance

  • Seniors (60+ years): Contact CATS at 740-835-8474.

  • Individuals with disabilities: Contact CATS at 740-835-8474 or view our accessibility information here.

  • Low-income individuals: Contact Pike County Job and Family Services at 740-947-2171 for information regarding services.

Pets

Pets are not allowed on CATS vehicles. However, service animals are welcome at no extra charge. Please notify dispatch if you will be traveling with a service animal.

Passenger Courtesy

  • Always wear your seatbelt while on board

  • Smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited on CATS vehicles

  • Be respectful to fellow passengers and drivers

  • Do not expect excessive driver assistance

  • Confirm your trip details and keep a note for reference