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About KATS
A convenient and efficient service to the residents of Kingsport, Tennessee.
What is KATS?
The Kingsport Area Transit Service, which has been operating since 1995, provides 4 fixed bus routes on a pulse system throughout the city of Kingsport. These routes are vital in helping individuals maintain or gain self-sufficiency by taking passengers to various places such as grocery stores, doctor’s appointments, work, and various other desired locations. Service has tripled in ridership growth since its initial year, and it has continuously altered bus routes to provide a better and more efficient service to new and growing areas of Kingsport. The Dial-A-Ride ADA/65/Job Assist van system is a demand response curb to curb transportation service provided to individuals who cannot use the fixed route bus system for various substantial reasons. The KATS bus and van service is a valuable asset to this community and we are encouraged by its progress and growth. These services are provided to residents of the city of Kingsport with a population of over 54,000. In the future, we hope to extend public transit services.
Hours of Operation:
Transit Services – Monday through Friday, 7:30am-5:30pm.
Office – Monday through Friday, 7:30am-4:30pm.
Who is KATS?
American Disabilities Act
The mission of the city’s ADA Coordinator is to ensure that all programs, services, and activities at KATS are accessible, and that practical use by individuals with disabilities, regardless of whether they are residents or visitors to our city, is not restricted or hindered in violation of standards relating to individuals with disabilities. Disability, as defined by the ADA, is a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more of major life activities.
Reasonable Modification: In order to ensure that services are provided by KATS, whenever feasible, request for modifications shall be made and determined in advance during the KATS Dial A Ride ADA eligibility process or through customer service inquiries. Due to the unpredictable nature of transportation, some requests for reasonable modification are often one-time situations and may be made while in transit. Requests need to be submitted in writing to the ADA Coordinator by using the
Request for Accommodation and Request for Barrier Removal form opens in a new window. Additionally, you may inquire about any needed modifications in person or in writing at 900 East Main Street.
Grievance Procedure: KATS follows the city of Kingsport ADA Grievance Procedure for formal complaints and appeals process. An individual who has requested a communication aid or service for, or attempted to access, a city service, activity, or program and is dissatisfied or believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of a disability, may file a formal complaint (in accordance
with this grievance procedure established to meet the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act). Details of the City’s ADA Compliance and Grievance Procedure can be found at: www.kingsporttn.gov/government/ada-compliance/. opens in a new window
To learn more about Civil Rights and ADA, click here opens in a new window.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
It is the policy of KATS (Kingsport Area Transit Service) to afford Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), as defined in 49 CFR Part 26, as amended, the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts financed in whole or in part with federal funds. KATS DBE Policy Statement may be viewed by clicking here opens in a new window.
What is a DBE?
A DBE is a for-profit small business that is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged, as defined in 49 CFR Part 26. For a link to DBE regulations, 49 CFR Part 26, click here opens in a new window.
A copy of the DBE regulations is also available at the KATS Transit Center.
How does a business become certified as a DBE?
KATS DBE certification is administered by the Small Business Development Program, Civil Rights Office, Tennessee Department of Transportation(TDOT). To print a DBE application (with instructions), click here opens in a new window. You may also pick up a copy of a DBE application at the KATS Transit Center. Once a business is certified as a DBE, the Tennessee Unified Certified Program allows multiple agencies to utilize the same certification statewide, to simplify the application process.
Completed DBE applications should be mailed to:
Tennessee Department of Transportation
Civil Rights Office, Small Business Development Program
Suite 1800, James K. Polk Bldg.
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243-0347
What are the advantages of being certified as a DBE?
Certification as a DBE provides greater exposure for contract opportunities. Upon being certified as a DBE, your business’s address is added to a state-wide database which is compiled and maintained by TDOT. This list, the TDOT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Listing, is accessed by other transit systems, as well as municipal and state agencies seeking to do business with DBEs. Being
certified as a DBE enhances a business’s exposure to the business community. However, there is no requirement to be a certified DBE in order to do business with KATS. The current TDOT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Listings may be viewed by clicking here opens in a new window. A copy of the TNUCP Certified DBE Listing is also available at the KATS Transit Center.
Is there any cost to become certified as a DBE?
No. Business assistance from local resources which is available to current and prospective DBEs (including potential start-up businesses), including areas of technical, financial, and management information, is listed below:
TDOT Civil Rights Office, Small Business Development Program: “DBE Fastrac”: A quarterly newsletter providing information for DBE’s and small businesses, including upcoming DBE’s seminars/workshops. This newsletter may be viewed/printed by clicking here opens in a new window.
Small Business Administration: Calendar of Training Events in Tennessee TN Department of General Services: https://www.tn.gov/generalservices/article/registration-for-certification1 opens in a new window
ETSU Innovation Library: The ETSU Innovation Laboratory is an economic development initiative of East Tennessee State University, partnered with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and the ETSU Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. (423-439-8500)
Goals and Methodology
Click here opens in a new window to read Kingsport Area Transit Service’s goals and methodology.
Filing a Non-ADA Complaint or Leaving Feedback
We encourage, though do not require, individuals to first file a complaint directly with KATS in order to give us an opportunity to resolve the situation. KATS also welcomes suggestions and feedback that can help us gain knowledge that will improve our service. KATS has a formal complaint process in order to actively and quickly respond to local complaints.
There are 3 ways to leave complaints, comments or suggestions for KATS:
1). Request and fill out a complaint, comment or suggestion form at the front desk at the transit station at 900 East Main Street.
2). Leave a complaint, comment or suggestion online under the “contact” section on the KATS website here opens in a new window.
3). Leave a complaint, comment or suggestion on the KATS phone line by calling 423-224-2613 and selecting option #5.
A complaint must be submitted in writing and must include detailed information such as name, address and telephone number of the complainant as well as pertinent information about the alleged incident (e.g. location, date, description of the problem). A KATS representative will offer to meet with the grievant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint (if not sooner). This meeting can occur either in person, over the phone, electronically, or in any format agreeable to the grievant and the Transit Director. If the response by the Transit Director or designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the grievant or designee may appeal the decision within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the response to the City Manager. Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the City Manager or designee will offer to meet with the grievant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. This meeting can occur either in person, over the phone, electronically, or in any format agreeable to the grievant and City Manager. Within fifteen (15) calendar days after the meeting, the City Manager or designee will respond in writing, in a format accessible to the
grievant, with a final decision of the city regarding the complaint. All written complaints and responses (made or received) will be retained by the City of Kingsport for at least three (3) years.
Title VI
Kingsport Area Transit Service is committed to providing non-discriminatory service. It is the policy of KATS, as a department of the City of Kingsport, and a grant recipient of the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration, to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 49 CFR, Part 21; related statutes and regulations to that end that no person shall be excluded from participation in or be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
LEP (Limited English Proficiency)
It is the goal of KATS to reduce language barriers for persons with limited English proficiency (LEP), including the development and implementation of the Kingsport Area Transit Service Language Assistance Implementation Plan for LEP Persons, which also fulfills the requirements of Executive Order 13166, issued on August 11, 2000. To view KATS current LEP plan, click here.
Title VI Complaints
We encourage, though do not require, individuals to first file a complaint directly with KATS in order to give us an opportunity to resolve the situation. If you believe Kingsport Area Transit Service has failed to comply with any of the above requirements, please click on and fill out the Title VI complaint form opens in a new window so that we may address your complaint locally. Once you have filled out the form, mail it to the following address:
Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
If you believe KATS has failed to comply with any of the above requirements, you may file an administrative complaint with the FTA Office of Civil Rights. Complaints should be filed within 180 days of the alleged violation.
To see the latest policies please review the 2024 public notice here opens in a new window.
How to File
You may file a complaint by completing the FTA complaint form requirements found
at https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/file-complaint-fta opens in a new window
The KATS Team
Keep up with what we’re doing!
Announcements
See what’s happening at KATS!
Archive
>> KATS Survey, Nov 22 opens in a new window
>> Driver Appreciation, Nov 22 opens in a new window
>> November, 2022 opens in a new window
>>March 21, 2021 opens in a new window
>> January 11, 2021 opens in a new window
>> February 16, 2021 opens in a new window
>> February 5, 2021 opens in a new window
>> June 10, 2019 opens in a new window
>> June 5, 2019 opens in a new window
Any Questions?
Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have!
