It’s hard to take advantage of a service when you don’t know it exists.
The South Central Area Transit Service, SCATS, is a good example. You’ve probably noticed its vehicles on the road and its headquarters on North Military Avenue. But who is for? What do they do? Is it something that can help you and your family?
To answer those questions: 1) SCATS is for everyone, regardless of age or income; 2) It provides transportation to all sorts of destinations in Lawrence, Maury, Rutherford, Wiiliamson and Davidson Counties for nominal fees; and 3) Absolutely!
Public transportation offered through the South Central Tennessee Development District has been available in Lawrence County since 1982, said Richard Stewart, Director of the 13-county program. Still, he said, “Most people don’t know about the services we have.”
Jill Murks has been the SCATS Lawrence County Director for 18 years. She’s seen a lot of growth in demand: incredibly, there are 12 Lawrence County SCATS vans on the road every weekday.
In-county transportation services include rides to doctors’ appointments, hair salons, grocery stores, even friends’ homes across town. Many use it regularly for visits to the local dialysis center.
“It’s a real lifesaver for a lot of folks,” Murks said. SCATS also provides transportation out-of-town: two vans go to and from Columbia every day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Two vans (one morning, one evening) travel to and from Franklin and Nashville each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Another goes to Murfreesboro every Wednesday.
Out-of-county morning routes begin picking up local passengers at 6:30 a.m. and return to Lawrence County at 12. The afternoon route leaves Lawrence County at 11:30 and heads back at 4 p.m. Riders who go to a destination in the morning can return that afternoon if their schedule requires it, or can even return another day.
“Some people stay through the weekend with relatives,” Murks said. Other people use SCATS for transportation to Nashville’s Greyhound station or the airport. There’s no need for long-term parking when a SCATS van can deposit you (and pick you up) at the airport door. Doctors’ appointments are the most frequent destinations, but Cool Springs Galleria is another popular spot.
The most important thing to remember, Murks said, is to make a reservation for SCATS service. Twenty-four hours’ notice is the minimum, but “the sooner the better.” Vans fill up on a first-come, first-serve basis, so late reservations can be too late.
All vans are wheelchair-accessible, but the transportation is “curbside to curbside,” meaning that drivers can only pick up and drop off passengers, not assist them at their destination. If riders need assistance, an escort can ride along at no charge.
SCATS officials see the potential for even more services. “We’re open to suggestions for other routes, both local and out-of-town,” Murks said. If you have a transportation need that’s not part of the current schedule, please call to make a suggestion.
To do that, learn more about schedules and fees, or make a reservation for any existing route, call the local office at 766-7867.