Chattanooga Transit Secured Funds for New Van Fleet

CARTA will expand its paratransit service by adding ten new vehicles to its local fleet.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Car Types

Isometric editorial illustration of a row of minimalist transit vans parked in an orderly line, representing public transit fleet expansion. — The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority secured over $1 million in funding to expand its Care-A-Van paratransit fleet with new vehicles. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) secured $1,010,000 to replace aging vehicles and grow its Care-A-Van fleet. The initiative will result in a net gain of five vehicles for the transit agency.

Why it matters

Management initiated the fleet expansion to accommodate rising ridership levels observed over the past two years. The new vehicles will replace older models that no longer meet the reliability standards required for daily service.

The agency is adding 10 new vehicles while retiring five of its oldest units. This project represents a total investment of $1,010,000, supported by a 20 percent local match.

The players

CARTA

The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority operates public transit services including the Care-A-Van program for the city.

Federal Transit Administration

This federal agency provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems across the United States.

Tennessee Department of Transportation

The state government entity is responsible for managing and funding transportation infrastructure across Tennessee.

The details

CARTA secured the project funding through the Federal Transit Administration's Section 5310 program. The city of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Department of Transportation provided the necessary local match to finalize the investment.

Ridership for the service grew sharply over the past two years.

Roadmap

This project highlights a broader trend of transit agencies upgrading paratransit fleets to meet growing demand for specialized community transport. By leveraging federal grants like the Section 5310 program, local authorities are modernizing aging assets to ensure consistent service reliability.

Residents who rely on the Care-A-Van service will see improved reliability as older, maintenance-heavy vehicles are replaced by new units. This expansion aims to reduce wait times and better accommodate the increasing number of passengers utilizing the service.

The takeaway

Reliable transit services require consistent capital investment to keep pace with evolving community demand. Upgrading aging fleets ensures that public transportation remains a dependable option for all local residents.