Clemson Area Transit

Clemson Area Transit
A CAT bus at Southern Wesleyan University
FoundedJanuary 8, 1996
Headquarters200 West Lane Clemson, South Carolina 29631
LocaleSouth Carolina
Service areaClemson and Clemson University with service to Central and Pendleton
Service typeBus service
Routes8
Annual ridership
1,050,800 (2025)
Fuel typeElectric, Diesel
OperatorClemson University, Town of Pendleton, Town of Central, City of Clemson, South Carolina Department of Transportation
Chief executive
Keith Moody[needs update]
Websitecatbus.com

Clemson Area Transit (CAT), known locally as the "CATbus", is a zero-fare bus system serving Clemson University, the City of Clemson, and the Towns of Central and Pendleton in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The headquarters of the organization is located in the City of Clemson. In 2025, the system had a ridership of 1,050,800.

The fare-free system is made possible by federal grants and matching funds from the city and University. CAT operates a modern fleet of buses, including over 10 forty-foot-long Proterra electric buses, 7 forty-foot-long Nova LFS buses, and two articulated Nova buses, which were the first articulated buses operating in South Carolina. Utilizing multiple routes, CAT buses help 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 of Clemson, Clemson University, the Town of Pendleton, the Town of Central, and South Carolina Department of Transportation.

History

In 2024, Seneca voted to end its CATbus service due to the cost of replacing its aging electric bus fleet.

Routes

As of 2026, CAT operates five bus routes:

CAT buses are characterized by purple and orange paint schemes. Buses are equipped with bike racks and are handicap accessible. Buses operated in Seneca had a dark blue and gold color scheme.[citation needed]

References

  1. 1 2 "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2025" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. February 20, 2026. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "About". clemsoncity.org. Archived from the original on March 11, 2026. Retrieved November 3, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Home". Clemson Area Transit. Retrieved June 21, 2025. CATbus Headquarters 200 West Lane Clemson, SC 29631
  4. ↑ Bernard, Nadine (February 19, 2013). "Nova Bus and CAT Roll Out First Articulated Bus in South Carolina". Mass Transit (Press release). Retrieved November 3, 2026.
  5. ↑ Salsameda, Chloe (August 1, 2024). "City of Seneca ending bus service". WSPA-TV. Retrieved November 3, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Routes & Services | Clemson, SC". www.clemsoncity.org. Retrieved November 4, 2026.