Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) provides public transportation for Manatee County, Florida and is operated by the county. the system had about 4,100 riders per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024.
Fares
The regular bus fare is $1.50 on all local fixed routes. Discounted fares of $0.75 are available for students, disabled (with mobility card), seniors, medicare card holders, and active duty and military veterans. There is no fare for children 5 years or younger and seniors 80 and older. There is no fare for the Anna Maria Island Trolley and the Sunday Beach Express. Discounted fares are not available for the Longboat Key Shuttle.
Unlimited ride cards ("M Cards") are available for purchase for 1 day, 7 day, or 31 days. Regular and discounted rates are available. There is also a 31-day regional pass ("R Card") available for purchase. This pass is good for unlimited rides on both MCAT and SCAT (Sarasota County Area Transit) buses.
Riders can also purchase and access their bus passes using the Token Transit mobile ticketing app for both local and regional fares.[2]
A Mobility Card will be provided to the rider by MCAT when a disability or Veteran status is present to serve as documentation and proof for the discount card. The Mobility Card will alleviate the need to carry medical or Veteran documentation that qualifies the rider for the discount card. This is a separate card from the M Card and will need to be carried with the M Card in case verification is needed. Mobility Cards can be obtained by presenting a letter from a physician or Veteran eligibility paperwork to the Downtown Station and Desoto Station Ticket Sales Offices.[3]
Bus routes
Most local fixed route bus services operate Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Skyway ConneXion service operates on weekdays ONLY, no service on Sundays and holidays.
The Anna Maria Island Trolley operates daily from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Beach Express operates Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.[4]
Fixed route and Handy Bus service ends at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The Longboat Key Shuttle service will end at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
The Anna Maria Island Trolley service operates all holidays. Service will end at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
The Beach Express operates on all Sundays and Holidays.[5]
Route
Destinations
Effective Date
1
Ellenton Outlet Mall
November 10, 2018
2
East Bradenton
November 10, 2018
3
Manatee Avenue
November 10, 2018
4
9th Avenue
November 10, 2018
6
Cortez Road
November 10, 2018
8
Oneco-Bayshore Gardens
November 10, 2018
9
9th Avenue West & 26th Street
November 10, 2018
12
State Road 70
November 10, 2018
13
Palmetto
November 10, 2018
16
15th Street East
November 10, 2018
75
Beach Connexion
December 7, 2019
99
U.S. 41
November 10, 2018
201
North County Connexion
November 10, 2018
203
SkyWay Connexion
November 10, 2018
Trolley
Anna Maria Island
November 10, 2018
Trolley
Beach Express
November 10, 2018
Shuttle
Longboat Key
November 10, 2018
Bus Fleet
MCAT's fleet consists of Gillig Phantom, Low Floor, Low Floor BRT, and Replica Trolley. They operate both clean-diesel and diesel-electric hybrid buses.[6]
In 2018, MCAT was awarded $1.9 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration to replace or rehabilitate their fleet of buses.[7]
