KTA tests Downtown Connector game‑day detour; free‑fare pilot expires June 1

KNOXVILLE — Knoxville Area Transit staff presented a plan to run a Downtown Connector detour on professional baseball and soccer game days to serve Summerplace before dropping riders at Covenant Health Park and said the detour will be tested over the coming months.

Staff said the detour will operate only on Smokies and One Knox game days at first, with signage (A‑frames), an updated real‑time transit app display, and a dedicated web page to alert riders. The agency noted Downtown Connector ridership is increasing and that large events such as the Big Ears festival can draw 20,000–25,000 riders to the Downtown Connector during festival periods; staff said the detour will allow staff to evaluate whether to adopt the alignment permanently.

When asked about the free‑fare pilot window, Isaac (staff) said the existing free fare period expires June 1 and that staff are considering a proposal to extend or make the program permanent; any formal change would come back to the board for approval when quorum is available. Staff also said the game‑day detour does not meet the agency’s threshold for a major change and therefore does not require Title VI analysis.

Board members discussed how to inform riders about ad hoc detours on non‑game days if the detour remains temporary; staff said the transit app and webpage will display game‑day routing and that A‑frame signs would mark temporary game‑day stops.

Next steps: staff will monitor ridership during the test period, refine signage and app updates, and present any proposal to extend free fares or permanently change the route to the board when quorum permits.