Cat Tran: Campus Transit Services
Cat Tran is the University of Arizona’s free campus transit system, designed to make getting around campus easy, safe, and accessible for all. Operated by Parking & Transportation Services (PTS), Cat Tran offers multiple routes with wheelchair-accessible buses, real-time tracking, and connections to Park & Ride lots and transit systems. This page is your central hub for everything related to Cat Tran—including how to ride, service hours, Park & Ride permit info, Night Cat by Lyft for after-hours travel, charter services, advertising opportunities, and even what to do if you've lost something onboard.
Ways to Ride
Whether you're commuting to campus, heading to class, or getting home after hours, we offer a range of transportation options to fit your schedule, budget, and lifestyle. From free campus transit to affordable bike shares and Park & Ride options, explore the best way to get where you need to go.
Cat Tran
Free transit service connecting key locations across campus.
Park & Ride
Affordable car parking with transit service to campus.
Night Cat by Lyft
Late-night ride program for safe travel around campus.
Charter Service
Reserve a PTS vehicle and driver for your group’s travel needs.
How to Ride A Cat Tran
On campus Cat Tran routes are free to use. The Red and Blue routes are open to all. The Red and Orange routes operate as Park & Ride, which require a valid parking permit if you choose to park (fee applies), boarding is included. The Orange route also requires either a valid parking permit or a neighborhood boarding pass for boarding at all stops north of Helen St.
Operating Hours
General service: 6:40 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Red route: 3:55 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Summer service operates on a reduced schedule.
Buses may be full during peak hours: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Please allow at least 30 minutes for travel.
Cat Tran Tools
Get the most out of your Cat Tran commute with real-time tracking tools and up-to-date route info. Whether you're heading to class or commuting from a Park & Ride lot, use these resources to plan ahead and ride with confidence. We recommend checking these tools before commuting, especially during inclement weather or special events.
CAT TRAN ROUTES Cat Tran Live Tracker
Note: Buses, at time stops, will not depart earlier than the scheduled time. Times are estimates. Arrive at your stop at least 5 minutes early. Due to campus construction or events, routes may change. For real-time updates, use the TransLoc app or the Cat Tran Tracker.
To ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all, please observe the following rules:
- No eating, smoking, alcohol, or profanity allowed on all buses.
- Drinks must have a secure lid.
- Service animals only; all other animals are prohibited.
- Luggage is not permitted on the Cat Tran. Bags are limited in size to what the passenger can hold on their lap. For safety reasons, the aisles must remain clear.
Please ask your driver for guidance if you have any questions.
Cat Tran is fully ADA-compliant and welcomes passengers with disabilities.
- All buses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with a wheelchair lift or ramp. The ramp or lift on the bus may be used to assist customers with limited mobility (Lift capacity - 650 LBS).
- The driver is required to assist with boarding and exiting as well as with securing passengers (Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations at 49 C.F.R. Section 37.165(f)).
Please ask your driver for guidance if you have any questions.
Park & Ride Program
The University of Arizona’s Park & Ride program offers affordable parking options at convenient locations near Cat Tran shuttle stops and Sun Tran bus routes, making your commute to campus easier and more cost-effective.
For a complete map of Park & Ride locations, view our interactive parking map.
North of Campus
- Lots 9004 & 9007 (off Mountain Avenue)
- Serviced by the Orange Cat Tran Route
- Campus stops: Martin Luther King (MLK) & Learning Services Building
- Cost: $105 annually
South of Campus
- Designed with early-shift employees in mind, including early-morning Cat Tran service and expanded hours.
- The Bridges Park & Ride (off Kino Parkway near Tech Parks Arizona)
- Serviced by the Red Cat Tran Route
- Campus stops: Campus Health & Optical Sciences
- First pickup at 3:55 a.m.
- Cost: $105 annually
Note: A Cat Tran boarding pass is not required on the Red Route, but a parking permit is required to park in The Bridges lot.
A neighborhood boarding pass is required to ride the Orange Cat Tran route. Please note, a boarding pass is NOT required on the Red route. However, if you wish to park your vehicle in the Bridges Park & Ride Lots, a parking permit is required.
- Visit the Parking Account Portal.
- Log in with your U of A NetID.
- Select Get Permits.
- Choose Alternative Transportation.
- Complete the purchase process.
- Access a temporary digital pass immediately by selecting “Permits” > “View”. Your physical boarding pass will be mailed to your address.
Night Cat by Lyft
Need a ride after hours? Night Cat offers free Lyft evening transportation for University of Arizona students, faculty, and staff that begin and end on campus, at Safeway on Broadway, or Walmart at El Con Mall only. Ride codes are valid Monday–Friday, from 5:00 p.m. to midnight
- Request Your Code: Receive up to 6 free ride codes per month (max 2 per week) while funding lasts.
- Claim & Use Quickly:Ride codes expire 72 hours after being claimed if unused.
- Know the Coverage: Each code provides up to $15 in ride credit. You’ll pay any amount over that.
- Ride Boundaries: Eligible rides must begin and end on campus. Safeway (Broadway), or Walmart at El Con Mall.
- Respect the Rules: Code sharing is not allowed and may result in loss of access.
- When Rides Pause: Free rides pause once monthly funding runs out.
- Log in with your NetID to access ride codes and check your monthly balance.
- In the Lyft app, go to the menu and select “Payment”.
- Scroll down and tap “Add Lyft Pass”, then enter your ride code.
- Return to the home screen to request your ride.
- Verify your ride: Check license plate, driver name, and vehicle details. Ask them to confirm your name.
- Share your location in real time with a trusted contact via the Lyft app.
- Track your ride using GPS in the app.
- Review Lyft’s Safety Tips for more guidance.
- Cancel if unsafe: Riders and drivers can cancel any ride they feel is unsafe.
- Follow the rules: Lyft may remove users who violate Community Guidelines.
Use ASUA’s SafeRide for off-campus trips.
Lost and Found
Lost something? Items left on buses are turned over to Cat Tran Operations (520) 882-0518. Unclaimed items are delivered to the University of Arizona Police Department (520) 621-8273 during the next business day.
Cat Tran Charter Services
Parking & Transportation Services also offers Cat Tran Charter Services for eligible University-related groups. Charters are provided based on resource availability and are not guaranteed. Requests should be submitted at least 10 business days in advance to allow time for scheduling.
Cat Tran charters are available to all University of Arizona staff, faculty, students, affiliated institutes, and groups associated with University events. Non-affiliated groups may also use the service if they are sponsored by a University department and provide a KFS billing number.
Charters are limited to destinations within 150 total miles of the PTS building unless approved by the Executive Director or their designee.
Each charter bus can accommodate up to 24 seated passengers or 23 plus one wheelchair. Buses are not equipped to transport luggage or bicycles. Food and drink policies match standard Cat Tran rules: no alcohol, no smoking, no eating, and drinks must have a secure lid.
Charters requests are not automatically guaranteed and are scheduled based on availability. Please submit an online request to check availability and receive an estimate. Charter rates start at $270 for the first three hours with an $90 for each additional hour. A minimum of three hours is required. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance incur a $50 fee; if canceled less than two hours before the event, the full $270 charge will apply.
Billing for off-campus charters begins when the bus leaves campus and ends upon its return. For on-campus charters, billing starts at the scheduled pick-up and ends at drop-off. The rate includes the bus, driver, fuel, and insurance.
Contact for more information:
Email: jennyb@arizona.edu
Phone: 520-621-3300
Email: araceligonzalez@arizona.edu
Phone: 520-621-3001