Clemson Area Transit is the largest zero-fare bus line in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 in terms of ridership. Known locally as CAT or the "CAT Bus", it is the most frequently used transit system in South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...

. Areas with bus service include Clemson University

Clemson University

Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....

, the City of Clemson

Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson is a college town located in Pickens County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 11,939 at the 2000 census and center of an urban cluster with a total population of 42,199...

, the County of Anderson

Anderson, South Carolina

Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was estimated at 26,242 in 2006, and the city was the center of an urbanized area of 70,530...

, City of Seneca

Seneca, South Carolina

Seneca is a city in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Seneca Micropolitan Statistical Area Seneca is a city in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2000 census. It is...

 and the Towns of Central

Central, South Carolina

Central is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States, along SC Highway 93. Contrary to its name, it is not near the central area of South Carolina...

 and Pendleton

Pendleton, South Carolina

Pendleton is a town in Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,966 at the 2000 census. It is a sister city of Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland....

. The fare-free system is made possible by federal grants and matching funds from the city and University. CAT now boasts the most modern fleet of buses east of the Mississippi River.

Utilizing multiple routes and lines, CAT Buses help shuttle students from satellite parking to the heart of campus, transport citizens and students from campus or downtown to surrounding neighborhoods and apartment complexes, and move travelers from the Clemson area to surrounding communities.

The service is jointly operated by the City

City

A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...

 of Clemson and Clemson University

University

A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...

.

CAT Bus Lines

• Anderson 4U
• Pendleton Route
• Red Route - Central to Clemson
• Seneca Express
• Seneca Business Loop
• Seneca Residential Loop
• Tiger Route - on campus, both East and West

CAT buses are characterized by purple and orange buses with purple-dimmed lights at night. They are operated by students and local citizens, day or night. Buses have "Bike & Ride" bike racks. The CAT Bus was started and founded by Clemson's Alpha Phi Omega

Alpha Phi Omega

Alpha Phi Omega is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of approximately 17,000 students, and over 350,000 alumni members...

fraternity.