June 3, 2022 (Baker, LA) – The City of Baker and the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) are pleased to announce the launch of LYNX by CATS, a new, on-demand, shared public transportation service for the citizens of Baker. LYNX by CATS officially launches on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, and will provide rides to and from key locations around Baker for $1.75 or less. A press conference and ribbon cutting will take place at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 6, 2022, at City Hall located at 3325 Groom Road in Baker, LA.
“LYNX by CATS will enhance the services CATS currently provides to the City of Baker, utilizing microtransit technology to expand access to convenient, affordable, and sustainable transportation for both residents and visitors,” said CATS interim CEO Dwana Williams. “We are excited to bring this pilot program to Baker and thankful for the support and cooperation of Mayor Waites and his amazing team in launching this unique service.”
LYNX by CATS is a first-of-its-kind service in the East Baton Rouge Metro area and will allow Baker residents and visitors to easily book on-demand rides to a variety of locations within the City of Baker and to the CATS fix route system through the Scotlandville transfer station. Riders can also request service to important destinations near Baker, such as Southern University, and the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR).
Mayor Waites said of the new service: “The addition of LYNX by CATS in the Baker community is an exciting development and we are proud to be the city chosen for the pilot program in the capital region. Mass transit is a vital infrastructure connection for the economy and the environment. We appreciate the need to be able to move people efficiently, effectively, and equitably while recognizing our current traffic challenges. Microtransit is a logical and effective step, for not only Baker but the entire metropolitan area to move forward as we tackle our challenges head-on. This program is about doing all of those things for the citizens of Baker right now.”
To book a ride, Baker riders can use the LYNX by CATS mobile app (available on the App Store and Google Play) or call 225-267-9080. Once a ride is entered with pickup and drop-off locations, the system will provide ride options. Once a destination is selected, riders are directed to a nearby “virtual bus stop” within a short walking distance, and a driver is dispatched to meet them at that location.
LYNX by CATS operates Monday-Friday from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Saturdays from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM. A single ride costs $1.75, and you can add additional passengers for just $0.35. Seniors (65+) ride for $0.35 per trip. High school and College students ride FREE with a valid school ID. All LYNX by CATS vehicles are wheelchair accessible.
LYNX by CATS will be powered by Via, the global leader in TransitTech. Via’s advanced algorithms create quick, efficient shared trips that provide more flexibility for riders than traditional public transportation options with fixed routes and schedules.
For more information on LYNX by CATS, you can visit www.thecityofbakerla.com or www.brcats.com/LynxByCats.
About Via
Via builds innovative software to enable our customers—cities, transit agencies, transport operators, school districts, universities, and corporations—to transform their legacy transportation systems into advanced digital networks. As pioneers of the TransitTech category, Via’s mission is to expand access to efficient, affordable, and sustainable transportation. Via’s software enables organizations to digitize their existing transportation networks and launch new and innovative services, simultaneously lowering operating costs and increasing quality of service. Our software is used in over 500 communities in more than 35 countries around the world.
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