How to Read a CAT Bus Schedule

CAT schedules show when buses are scheduled to arrive at key stops along each route. Once you identify which timepoints your stop falls between, the most important things to check are:

1. What day you’re riding (weekday vs. Saturday)
   
   

2. Which direction you’re traveling (inbound vs. outbound)
   
   

3. How often the route runs (every 30 minutes vs. every hour, etc.)
   
   

4. Whether frequency changes later in the day
   
   

You can find full route books and/or individual route schedules at:
 https://www.charlottesville.gov/481/CAT-Schedules-Maps

Step 1: Pick the right route and the right day

Some CAT routes have different service levels depending on the day.

Example patterns you may see:

• Weekdays vs. Saturday service
  
  

• More frequent service earlier in the day, less frequent later
  
  

A common example is when a route runs every 30 minutes until a certain time, then switches to every hour for the rest of the evening.

Step 2: Understand timepoints (not every stop is listed)

Schedules list timepoints, which are major stops used for timing. Not every stop appears on the schedule.

How to use timepoints:

• Find the closest listed timepoint to where you board
  

• Find the closest listed timepoint to where you get off
  
  

If your stop is between timepoints, arrive early and use the printed times as a guide

Step 3: Read the schedule table the right way

• Stop ID = the stop number (useful for real-time tools and stop lookups)
  
  

• Stop name = the location or landmark
  
  

• Times = when a bus is scheduled to serve that timepoint. We encourage riders to arrive at the stop at least 5 minutes ahead of the listed time. 
  
  

Tips:

• Read across a row to follow one bus trip through the route
  

• Read down a column to see every trip serving that stop throughout the day
  
  

Step 4: What “frequency” means (every 30 minutes vs. every hour)

A route’s frequency describes how long you usually wait between buses.

• Every 30 minutes: A bus arrives twice per hour.
  
  

• Every hour: A bus arrives once per hour.
  
  

Some routes run more frequently earlier in the day, then switch to less frequent service later in the evening. Always check the schedule to see if frequency changes at certain times.

Examples of how CAT service can work: 

• Some routes run every hour all day.
  

• Some routes run every 30 minutes during the day, then switch to hourly service in the evening.
  
  

• Some routes maintain consistent 30-minute service throughout the day.
  
  

The schedule table will show these changes as larger gaps between times later in the day.

Step 5: Service span matters (when the route stops running)

Always check the first and last trips listed on the schedule page. Not all routes run until late evening.

Example:

• Route 8 ends at the last outbound trip at 5:43 p.m., even though many other routes run later.

  Looking at the first and last rows of the schedule will tell you when service starts and ends.

Route frequency snapshot (planning guide)

Below are examples of how often select CAT routes run. Frequencies are approximate and may change by time of day.

• Route 1: Every hour

• Route 2: Every 30 minutes

• Route 3: Every hour

• Route 4: Every 30 minutes until 7 p.m. on weekdays, then every hour. Saturdays run every hour all day

• Route 5: Every 30 minutes

• Route 6: Every 30 minutes until 7 p.m., then every hour

• Route 7: Every 30 minutes

• Route 8: Every hour; service ends at the last outbound trip at 5:43 p.m.

• Route 9: Every 30 minutes on weekdays until 5 p.m., then every hour. Saturdays run every hour all day

• Route 10: Every hour

• Route 11: Every hour; Saturday last trip starts at 5:15 p.m. (10:15 p.m. on weekdays)

• Free Trolley: Every 25 minutes

Rider Tips

• 
  

  Arrive at your stop about 5 minutes early. Buses cannot wait if traffic conditions change.
  

• Allow extra time during bad weather or heavy traffic. Arrival times may vary.
  
  

• If you are transferring, plan for extra time between routes. This helps avoid missed connections.
  
  

• If you’re unsure which schedule to use, check the day and direction first. Some routes have different weekday and Saturday schedules.
  
  

• Use Google Maps or Apple Maps to plan your trip. Both apps can:
  
  

  • Show you walking directions to and from bus stops
    
    

  • Tell you which CAT route to take
    
    

  • Provide step-by-step directions similar to driving directions
    
    

  • Help you plan transfers and arrival times
    
    

• Stay informed by subscribing to CAT transit alerts. 

  • Sign up to receive texts or emails about service changes, detours, and weather impacts. SIGN UP: https://www.charlottesville.gov/list.aspx
    
    

We’re here to help!

If you have questions or need assistance planning your trip, call 434-970-3649.