:Charlotte Area Transit System

Prior to 1976, public transportation in Charlotte was entirely privatized. Trolleys operated in the city from 1891 until 1938.{{cite news |last=Del Pino |first=Oscar |title=Clang, clang go the trolleys |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1C |date=August 16, 1995 }} Privately operated bus routes also ran in Charlotte until 1976.{{cite web |last1=Peralta |first1=Katie |last2=Hopkins |first2=Paige |title=Coronavirus dealt an $8 million blow to mass transit in Charlotte. Can it bounce back? |url=https://www.charlotteagenda.com/220534/coronavirus-dealt-an-8-million-blow-to-mass-transit-in-charlotte-can-it-bounce-back/ |website=Charlotte Agenda |access-date=2020-06-08 |archive-date=2020-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608225241/https://www.charlotteagenda.com/220534/coronavirus-dealt-an-8-million-blow-to-mass-transit-in-charlotte-can-it-bounce-back/ |url-status=live }}

In 1976, the City of Charlotte began operating bus routes under the Charlotte Transit brand, which operated from 1976 until CATS' founding in 2000.http://sbcglobalpwp.att.net/w/i/willvdv/aatncclt.html{{dead link|date=September 2021}} (Charlotte Transit and the Charlotte Area Transit System are not to be confused despite the similarity in name.) Charlotte Transit operated almost entirely local bus routes, with the exception of two express routes. As the Charlotte metro area's population grew rapidly, the bus service operated by Charlotte Transit proved to be inadequate. In 1998, a Mecklenburg County referendum was approved by citizens that enacted a 0.5% sales tax increase to improve public transportation in the area. The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) was created as a result of the vote, leading to the consolidation of Charlotte Transit and the MTC in 2000 as the Charlotte Area Transit System, creating CATS as it is today.{{Cite web |url=http://tpb.ga.gov/Documents/Atlanta%20Transit%20Planning%20Board%20Visit%20032708.pdf |title=Integrated Land Use & Transit The Charlotte Story |access-date=2009-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528080842/http://www.tpb.ga.gov/Documents/Atlanta%20Transit%20Planning%20Board%20Visit%20032708.pdf |archive-date=2010-05-28 }}

File:Charlotte Area Transit Average Daily Ridership All Modes, 2002-2016.jpg

After the founding of CATS, more express routes were added to the edges of Mecklenburg County and local bus service was expanded, especially to the fast-growing southern areas of Charlotte. Some commuter/express routes were also initiated outside Mecklenburg County. CATS also expanded bus infrastructure throughout the area during this period.{{cite web |title=Building Permits |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/645824313/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |website=The Charlotte Observer Archives |publisher=McClatchy |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608225237/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/645824313/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |url-status=live }} In 2005, CATS built three community transit bus centers to supplement the central Charlotte Transportation Center in Uptown Charlotte. The centers were built in SouthPark (inside the SouthPark Mall parking facility), Eastland (at the old Eastland mall), and at Rosa Parks Place in the Wilson Heights neighborhood north of Uptown.{{cite news |title=Invitation to Bid |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/631985403/?terms=CATS%2BCharlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |access-date=8 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |date=22 December 2005 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608225239/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/631985403/?terms=CATS%2BCharlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |url-status=live }} As a result of CATS' expansion during its early years, transit ridership in the Charlotte metropolitan area increased 55 percent,{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Steve |title=Suburban streets get big increase in traffic. |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/631705792/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |date=14 June 2009 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609132733/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/631705792/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |url-status=live }} largely due to the expansion of express bus services.{{cite news |last1=Rubin |first1=Richard |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/645843112 |title=Lot owners tire of park-and-ride traffic |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |date=21 August 2006 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609143434/http://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/645843112/ |url-status=live }}

CATS chief Ron Tober began the planning process for what would become the Lynx Blue Line in the early 2000s.{{cite web |title=Light-rail: Higher prices, later arrival |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/645764284/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |website=The Charlotte Observer Archives |publisher=McClatchy |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608225240/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/645764284/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Whitacre |first1=Dianne |title=Making tracks. |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/645706576/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |date=28 September 2003 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609132611/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/645706576/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |url-status=live }} Under Tober's leadership, the MTC adopted the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan in 2006.{{cite web |title=2030 Transit Corridor System Plan |url=https://charlottenc.gov/cats/transit-planning/2030-plan/Pages/default.aspx |website=Charlotte Area Transit System |publisher=City of Charlotte |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=24 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524032103/https://charlottenc.gov/cats/transit-planning/2030-plan/Pages/default.aspx |url-status=live }} The initial plan called for the "Red Line" commuter rail with service to Northern Mecklenburg County, the Blue Line, the CityLynx Gold Line streetcar, and a busway along the route of what is now planned to be the Lynx Silver Line. In 2007, the initial portion of the Blue Line opened, connecting the Uptown, South End, Scaleybark, Tyvola, and Arrowood neighborhoods. The initial phase of the Blue Line spurred an explosion of development along the rail corridor, particularly in South End.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Doug |title=Light rail draws development to South End |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/645813547/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |website=The Charlotte Observer Archives |publisher=McClatchy |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608225238/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/645813547/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |url-status=live }} Shortly after the Blue Line opened, CEO Ron Tober, who had led CATS since its inception, retired.{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Steve |title=Leaving the job, but not for his love of Lynx |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/632552514/?terms=Ron%2BTober |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |date=21 December 2007 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609143353/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/632552514/?terms=Ron%2BTober |url-status=live }}

After Tober's departure, CATS hired Carolyn Flowers, who had previously headed the bus system in Los Angeles County.{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Steve |title=City names next transit chief |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/631918878/?terms=Carolyn%2BFlowers |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |date=17 November 2009 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609143355/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/631918878/?terms=Carolyn%2BFlowers |url-status=live }} During Flowers' tenure, the transit system pushed ahead with the Gold Line and Blue Line extension projects in the wake of the Great Recession. In 2014, Flowers resigned to take a Federal Transit Administration position.{{cite news|title=Muth named interim director of CATS|url=http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/Newsroom/newsarchive/Pages/CATS-interim-director.aspx|access-date=26 April 2015|publisher=Charlotte Area Transit System|date=December 18, 2014|archive-date=18 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418002848/http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/Newsroom/newsarchive/Pages/CATS-interim-director.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Steve|title=Carolyn Flowers leaving CATS for federal appointment|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article9242612.html|access-date=26 April 2015|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=December 8, 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051647/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article9242612.html|url-status=live}} John M. Lewis Jr. was then hired as the new head of the transit system.{{Cite web|title = John Lewis Jr. will be the new CATS executive director|url = http://www.qcitymetro.com/news/articles/john_lewis_jr_will_be_the_new_cats_executive_director023121702.cfm|website = www.qcitymetro.com|access-date = 2015-10-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150916200211/http://www.qcitymetro.com/news/articles/john_lewis_jr_will_be_the_new_cats_executive_director023121702.cfm|archive-date = 2015-09-16}}

After the success of the Blue Line, CATS reversed course on its initial plans to expand bus service to Matthews and the airport, instead planning for a second light rail line, the Lynx Silver Line, that would travel southeast to Matthews and west to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and across the Catawba River to Belmont.{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=Melinda |title=Plans for rail route in South Charlotte |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/646908866/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609143355/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/646908866/?terms=Charlotte%2BArea%2BTransit%2BSystem |url-status=live }}

In 2015, the first phase of the CityLynx Gold Line streetcar opened.{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Steve |title=City envisions network of lines |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/646908972/?terms=Gold%2BLine |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609143351/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/646908972/?terms=Gold%2BLine |url-status=live }} The initial line connected the Charlotte Transportation Center in Uptown to Hawthorne Lane and 5th Street, through the First Ward and Cherry neighborhoods. The first phase of the Gold Line utilized retro trolley streetcars, while future phases will incorporate Siemens S70 streetcar vehicles.{{cite web |title=CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 |url=https://charlottenc.gov/Projects/Pages/GoldLinePhase2.aspx |website=Charlotte Area Transit System |publisher=City of Charlotte |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607221940/https://charlottenc.gov/Projects/Pages/GoldLinePhase2.aspx |url-status=live }} The second phase of the Gold Line, construction of which is expected to wrap up in late 2020 or early 2021, will extend the existing line to Sunnyside Avenue in Plaza-Midwood and French Street by Johnson C. Smith University. In 2018, the Blue Line extension opened, connecting the existing Blue Line to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, connecting the University City, NoDa, Optimist Park, Plaza-Midwood, and Belmont neighborhoods.{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Steve |title=CATS wants more rail lines, but who will pay for them? |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/646276814/?terms=Blue%2BLine%2Bextension%2Bopen |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |date=16 March 2018 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609143358/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/646276814/?terms=Blue%2BLine%2Bextension%2Bopen |url-status=live }} The Red Line project, an integral piece of the 2030 System Plan, has run into significant headwinds due to disagreements with Norfolk Southern, which owns the tracks the Red Line was planned to operate on, and funding concerns.{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Steve |title=Lake Norman train faces critical vote next week |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/646277080/?terms=Red%2BLine |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |date=24 March 2018 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609143352/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/646277080/?terms=Red%2BLine |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Henderson |first1=Bruce |title=Northern commuter rail is stymied by impasse over rarely used tracks |url=https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/642984547/ |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |date=28 January 2020 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609143431/https://charlotteobserver.newspapers.com/image/642984547/ |url-status=live }} In September 2024, the city of Charlotte voted in approval of the purchase of the rail corridor for the Red Line from Norfolk Southern and a sales tax increase to support operations.{{cite news|last1=Kay|first1=Julie|last2=Brierton|first2=James|last3=Pierre|first3=Jesse|last4=Puente|first4=Nathaniel|access-date=1 October 2024|agency=WCNC Charlotte|title=Charlotte leaders approve Red Line train tracks purchase, support sales tax increase|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/charlotte-vote-red-line-norfolk-southern-railroad-tracks/275-4c85e767-a16b-4053-92d3-0a55312f859f|date=2 September 2024}}

CATS is currently in the planning and design stages for the Lynx Silver Line, a multibillion-dollar east–west light rail line that will run from Matthews through Uptown Charlotte and west to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and across the Catawba River to Belmont.{{cite news |last1=Hodges |first1=David |title=City Council approves $50 million LYNX Silver Line design contract |url=https://www.wbtv.com/2019/11/13/city-council-approves-million-lynx-silver-line-design-contract/ |access-date=9 June 2020 |agency=WBTV |date=12 November 2019 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609143357/https://www.wbtv.com/2019/11/13/city-council-approves-million-lynx-silver-line-design-contract/ |url-status=live }} The line, projected to open in 2030, will connect to the Blue Line at 11th Street and the future intermodal Charlotte Gateway Station.{{cite web |title=Planning – Silver Line |url=https://charlottenc.gov/cats/transit-planning/Pages/silver-line.aspx |website=Charlotte Area Transit System |publisher=City of Charlotte |access-date=9 June 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727204115/https://charlottenc.gov/cats/transit-planning/Pages/silver-line.aspx |url-status=live }}

{{Main|List of Charlotte Area Transit System bus routes}}

CATS bus service primarily serves Mecklenburg County, with service in Charlotte, Davidson, Huntersville, Cornelius, Matthews, Pineville, and Mint Hill. Limited local and express service operated by CATS also extends to Iredell County, Gaston County, Union County, and York County, South Carolina.{{cite web |title=Charlotte Riders' Guide |url=https://charlottenc.gov/cats/bus/Documents/Charlotte-Riders-Guide.pdf |website=Charlotte Area Transit System |publisher=City of Charlotte |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727202258/https://charlottenc.gov/cats/bus/Documents/Charlotte-Riders-Guide.pdf |url-status=live }}

CATS operates local routes within the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, with the majority of those multiple-stop routes serving the Charlotte Transportation Center in Uptown. Other routes that do not serve Uptown mainly connect directly between Lynx rail stations and outlying neighborhoods. Three community transit centers in different parts of the city were built in the mid-2000s: the Eastland Community Transit Center in East Charlotte located near the now-closed Eastland Mall, the SouthPark Community Transit Center in South Charlotte located under SouthPark Mall, and the Rosa Parks Place Community Transit Center in North Charlotte located near Johnson C. Smith University.{{cite web |url=http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/Bus/Pages/transitcenters.aspx |title=Charlotte Area Transit System > Home |access-date=2011-01-22 |archive-date=2010-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118221753/http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/Bus/Pages/transitcenters.aspx |url-status=live }}

Express buses in the CATS system serve Union County, far northern Mecklenburg County, the Lake Norman area, Gastonia, and Rock Hill, South Carolina.

CATS operates one bus rapid transit line, the Sprinter service from the CTC to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. This center city to airport link will be replaced by the Lynx Silver Line upon its completion.

CATS also operates the Special Transportation Service (STS), a paratransit service which provides transportation to people with disabilities certified as eligible based on the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. STS provides service during the same times and in the same locations as the fixed route bus service.{{cite web |title=Riding Para-Transit |url=https://charlottenc.gov/cats/para-transit/riding-para-transit/Pages/default.aspx |website=Charlotte Area Transit System |publisher=City of Charlotte |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727202239/https://charlottenc.gov/cats/para-transit/riding-para-transit/Pages/default.aspx |url-status=live }}

During a typical week, CATS buses carry about 190,000 riders.{{cite web |last1=Erik |first1=Spanberg |title=CATS to cut back on service as ridership plummets during pandemic |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2020/03/23/charlotte-area-transit-system-to-cut-back-on.html |website=Charlotte Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=25 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625222501/https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2020/03/23/charlotte-area-transit-system-to-cut-back-on.html |url-status=live }}

CATS operates with a fleet of 323 buses on 73 bus routes.{{cite web |url=https://charlottenc.gov/cats/newsroom/Pages/fast-facts.aspx |title=Charlotte Area Transit System – Fast Facts |publisher=Charlotte Area Transit System |access-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-date=January 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124153748/https://charlottenc.gov/cats/newsroom/Pages/fast-facts.aspx |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://charlottenc.gov/CityCouncil/focus-areas/EnvironmentFocusArea/CATS%20Bus%20Presentation.pdf |title=State of Alternative Bus Fleet Fuels |last=Lewis |first=John |publisher=City of Charlotte |date=November 13, 2018 |access-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-date=January 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124083846/https://charlottenc.gov/CityCouncil/focus-areas/EnvironmentFocusArea/CATS%20Bus%20Presentation.pdf |url-status=live }}

CATS operates two rail lines under the "Lynx" (stylized as "LYNX") system umbrella. Announced on February 22, 2006, the name fits in with the city's cat theme (the NFL team is the Carolina Panthers and the NBA team was known as the Charlotte Bobcats when the name was chosen); also, "Lynx" is a homophone of "links", and was mainly chosen because the light rail is about "connectivity." The color scheme of the rail cars is silver, with black and blue accents and gold around the "Lynx" logo to tie in the history of the Charlotte region being home to the first major U.S. Gold Rush.

CATS rail service first began on June 28, 2004 with the Charlotte Trolley, operating three Birney-style replica streetcars between Atherton Mill and 9th Street. In 2006, the trolley service was suspended to allow the line's conversion to light-rail. Resumed on a limited schedule in 2008, the heritage streetcar line was discontinued two years later on June 28, 2010.

{{Main|Lynx Blue Line}}

The Lynx Blue Line is a {{convert|19.3|mi|km|adj=on}} light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina. Opened on November 24, 2007 and hailed as the first major rapid rail service of any kind in North Carolina, the line has 15 stations and ran {{convert|9.6|mi|km}} between I-485/South Boulevard, near Pineville, and 7th Street, in Uptown Charlotte; the line was partly shared with the Charlotte Trolley from 2008–2010.{{cite news |last=Harrison |first=Steve |title=A momentous arrival: After opening-day hoopla, what's ahead for Lynx? |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=November 24, 2007}}{{cite web |title = LYNX Blue Line South Corridor Light Rail Project Description |publisher = Charlotte Area Transit System |url = http://www.charmeck.org/departments/cats/lynx/home.htm |access-date = February 23, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080605031031/http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/LYNX/home.htm |archive-date = June 5, 2008 }}{{cite news |last = Rhee |first = Foon |title = Is a light rail system in Charlotte's future? |work = The Charlotte Observer |pages = 1B |date = January 19, 1988 }} On March 16, 2018, a {{convert|9.7|mi|km|adj=on}} extension was opened that added 11 stations north from 7th Street to UNC Charlotte–Main, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte{{cite news|title=Charlotte announces opening date for light rail expansion|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article193684739.html|access-date=9 January 2018|agency=The News & Observer|date=9 January 2018|archive-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110055209/http://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article193684739.html|url-status=live}} The line uses the Siemens S70 as rolling stock, which connects its 26 stations.{{cite news |title=Repairs for LYNX trains to cost $6.5M |url=http://www.wsoctv.com/news/repairs-for-lynx-trains-to-cost-65m/329915899 |date=January 6, 2012 |publisher=WSOC-TV |location=Charlotte, NC |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202011754/http://www.wsoctv.com/news/repairs-for-lynx-trains-to-cost-65m/329915899 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|CityLynx Gold Line}}

The CityLynx Gold Line is a 4-mile modern streetcar route that runs from [[French Street station|

French Street]] to Sunnyside Avenue through central Charlotte. When the final phase is completed the line will run from Rosa Parks Place Community Transit Center through Uptown Charlotte and down Central Avenue, terminating at Eastland Community Transit Center. A Federal Urban Circulator Grant was awarded in July 2010, allowing construction of phase 1.{{cite web|last1=McMillan|first1=Therese|title=Striking Gold in Charlotte|url=http://www.transportation.gov/fastlane/charlotte-strikes-gold|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=14 July 2015|date=14 July 2015|archive-date=15 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715014159/http://www.transportation.gov/fastlane/charlotte-strikes-gold|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Steve|last2=Portillo|first2=Ely|title=Charlotte streetcar begins service on 1.5-mile run|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article27195349.html|access-date=14 July 2015|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=14 July 2015|archive-date=15 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715025403/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article27195349.html|url-status=live}}

The initial {{convert|1.5|mi|km|adj=on}} segment of the line commenced service on July 14, 2015.{{cite news

|author=Steve Harrison |author2=Ely Portillo

| title =Anthony Foxx gives passionate speech to open streetcar; service starts at 1 p.m.

| newspaper = The Charlotte Observer

| date =July 14, 2015}} This section runs from the Charlotte Transportation Center / Arena station to Hawthorne Lane & 5th Street. The initial phase utilized replica Birney trolley cars. After several delays, the second {{convert|2.5|mi|km|adj=on}} segment opened on August 30, 2021,{{cite news |last1=Sheldon |first1=Juliann |title=CityLYNX Gold Line Streetcar to Open for Passenger Service on Aug. 30 |url=https://charlottenc.gov/newsroom/cityhighlights/Pages/Gold-Line-Opening.aspx |access-date=27 September 2021 |website=City of Charlotte |date=26 August 2021 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827203233/https://charlottenc.gov/newsroom/cityhighlights/Pages/Gold-Line-Opening.aspx |url-status=live }} extending service to French Street in Biddleville and Sunnyside Avenue. The trolley cars were then replaced with Siemens S700 streetcar vehicles. Phase 3, which would extend service north along Beatties Ford Road to Rosa Parks Place Community Transit Center and east along Central Avenue to Eastland Community Transit Center, is still in the planning stages.{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Steve |last2=Portillo |first2=Ely |title=Charlotte's Gold Line streetcar shimmers on first run |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article27195349.html |access-date=7 June 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=McClatchy |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615004251/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article27195349.html |url-status=live }}

CATS currently operates two models of rail cars, Siemens S700 and S70, with a fleet total of 48 vehicles:

The vehicles are {{convert|93.6|ft|m|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|8.7|ft|m|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} wide, with each having an empty weight of {{convert|99500|lb|kg|abbr=in}}.{{cite web |url=https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:251fd5b2-92c9-467a-bcc1-ba6c8064a8f7/low-floor-lrv-literature.pdf |title=S70 Low-Floor Light Rail Vehicle (Charlotte, North Carolina) |author= |date=2019 |website=Siemens Mobility |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624011808/https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:251fd5b2-92c9-467a-bcc1-ba6c8064a8f7/low-floor-lrv-literature.pdf |url-status=live }} Each vehicle contains 68 seats and has a maximum capacity of 230 passengers complete with four wheelchair spaces and four bike racks. Maximum operational speed is {{convert|66|mph}}, with a top speed of {{convert|71.5|mph}}; power comes from a 750-volt overhead wire.{{cite web |title=Siemens S70 Data Sheet |url=https://w3.usa.siemens.com/mobility/us/en/interurban-mobility/rail-solutions/high-speed-and-intercity-trains/Documents/Charlotte_DataSheet_2014_LR.pdf |access-date=2017-01-23 |archive-date=2015-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606005659/http://w3.usa.siemens.com/mobility/us/en/interurban-mobility/rail-solutions/high-speed-and-intercity-trains/Documents/Charlotte_DataSheet_2014_LR.pdf |url-status=live }} When not in use, the vehicles are stored at the South Boulevard Light Rail Facility, located along South Boulevard, between the New Bern and Scaleybark stations in the Sedgefield neighborhood. The facility is approximately {{convert|92000|sqft|m2|1}}, and houses the Lynx rail maintenance staff, operations staff and the Rail Operations Control Center. Officially dedicated on June 23, 2007, the facility contains {{convert|2.5|mi|1}} of track and 5,200 ties.{{cite press release |title=Join CATS for the grand opening of the South Boulevard Light Rail Facility |author=Charlotte Area Transit System }}

In January 2004, CATS began the process of accepting bids for construction of the system's vehicles. Original estimates for the vehicles was $3.5 million per car with the firms Bombardier, Siemens and Kinki Sharyo bidding for the final contract. The $52 million contract was awarded to Siemens on February 25, 2004.{{cite news |last=Whitacre |first=Dianne |title=Planners OK buying 16 trains for $53 million |newspaper=The Charlotte Observer |page=4B |date=February 26, 2004 }} The original order of 16 S70 Avanto vehicles, similar to those in operation on the METRORail system in Houston, Texas,{{cite web |title=Light Rail Vehicles |publisher=Charlotte Area Transit System |url=http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Rapid+Transit+Planning/South+Corridor/Light+Rail+Vehicles.htm |access-date=January 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110064818/http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Rapid%2BTransit%2BPlanning/South%2BCorridor/Light%2BRail%2BVehicles.htm |archive-date=January 10, 2008 }} was delivered between 2006 and 2007; these cars are numbered 101–116. Car 101 arrived via flatbed truck on Friday, June 23, 2006, from the Siemens facility in Florin, California.{{cite news |last=Rubin |first=Richard |title=1st Lynx car arrives, but 1000 miles of tests await |newspaper=The Charlotte Observer |page=1B |date=June 24, 2006 }} Testing of the vehicles began in August 2006 along a {{convert|1.3|mi|1|adj=on}} stretch of track between Tremont Avenue and the light rail maintenance facility off South Boulevard. During the testing phase, each car logged {{convert|1000|mi}} to test the acceleration, braking and overall performance for each vehicle.

With an option in place to purchase up to an additional 25 vehicles, and better than expected ridership, in May 2008 CATS announced the purchase of four additional S70 vehicles to expand the fleet's capacity beyond the existing 16 vehicles.{{cite web |last=Leier |first=Jean |title=Light rail vehicle makes a stop in Atlanta |publisher=Charlotte Area Transit System |date=January 20, 2010 |url=http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/news/pressreleases/Pages/1202010.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826002556/http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/news/pressreleases/Pages/1202010.aspx |archive-date=2010-08-26 |access-date=2020-11-15 }} The vehicles cost $3.8 million each and were delivered by Siemens between January and March 2010. In 2012, after only four years of operation, the original 16 vehicles underwent significant maintenance at the Siemens facility in California for an estimated cost of $400,000 each, having run by then for nearly {{convert|300000|mi|km}}.{{cite news |title=Repairs for LYNX trains to cost $6.5M |url=http://www.wsoctv.com/news/repairs-for-lynx-trains-to-cost-65m/329915899 |date=January 6, 2012 |work=wsoctv.com |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202011754/http://www.wsoctv.com/news/repairs-for-lynx-trains-to-cost-65m/329915899 |url-status=live }}

In January 2014, CATS announced it would buy 22 more Siemens S70 light-rail vehicles for the Blue Line Extension at a cost of $96.2 million. This purchase allowed CATS to have more three-car trains on the existing Blue Line.{{cite news |last=Harrison |first=Steve |title=Light-rail construction for Blue Line extension to begin in March |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=January 13, 2014 }} The first car was delivered in late October 2014,{{cite news |author= |title=Worldwide Review [regular news section] |date=January 2015 |magazine=Tramways & Urban Transit |page=40 |publisher=LRTA Publishing|location=UK |number=925 |issn=1460-8324 }} and the last in spring 2017. After delivery of the 22 additional S70 cars, the fleet had a total of 42 light rail vehicles. The first series is numbered 101–116, the second series 201–204 (originally 117–120; renumbered 2018), and the third series 301–322 (originally 121–142). From late 2021 to at least 2025, the original (Series 1) vehicles will undergo extensive mid-life overhauls in Sacramento at a total cost of $30–50 million. Vehicles will be sent to California two at a time; overhauling each one will take approximately six to nine months.{{cite news |last=Bruno |first=Joe |date=February 19, 2020 |title=Extensive light rail maintenance targeted for 2021; Cost is $30-$50 million |url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/blue-line-delays-create-issues-passengers/LDOTIBXK6JCBTDHZ4QN4R4VI5Q/ |work=WSOC-TV |location= |access-date=May 1, 2021 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502012841/https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/blue-line-delays-create-issues-passengers/LDOTIBXK6JCBTDHZ4QN4R4VI5Q/ |url-status=live }}

Six Siemens S700{{efn|name=retroactive-rebrand|These were model S70 when the order was placed, but in 2020 were retroactively rebranded as model S700 by Siemens.{{cite news |author= |title=Siemens rebadges North American low-floor cars |date=September 2020 |magazine=Tramways & Urban Transit |page=336 |publisher=Mainspring Enterprises Ltd. |location=UK |number=993 |issn=1460-8324 }}}} low-floor streetcars service the Gold line.{{cite news|url=http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/siemens-finalizes-s70-streetcar-deal-with-charlotte.html|title=Siemens finalizes S70 streetcar deal with Charlotte|magazine=Railway Age|date=November 29, 2016|access-date=December 1, 2016|archive-date=December 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201015040/http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/siemens-finalizes-s70-streetcar-deal-with-charlotte.html|url-status=live}} They were delivered between August 2019 and April 2020 and are numbered 401–406. The vehicles have 56 passenger seats, with a total capacity of 255 passengers, and have four wheelchair spaces and two bicycle racks. They are {{convert|85.25|ft|m|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long by {{convert|8.67|ft|m|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} wide, with each weighing {{convert|101081|lb|kg|abbr=in}}. Maximum speed is {{convert|35|mph}}, with an operational speed of {{convert|25|mph}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.mobility.siemens.com/us/en/portfolio/rail/rolling-stock/trams-and-light-rail/light-rail-vehicles.html |title=S700 streetcar |author= |website=Siemens Mobility |access-date=December 12, 2020 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114070216/https://www.mobility.siemens.com/us/en/portfolio/rail/rolling-stock/trams-and-light-rail/light-rail-vehicles.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:251fd5b2-92c9-467a-bcc1-ba6c8064a8f7/low-floor-lrv-literature.pdf |title=S700 Streetcar (Charlotte, North Carolina) |author= |date=2019 |website=Siemens Mobility |access-date=September 2, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624011808/https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:251fd5b2-92c9-467a-bcc1-ba6c8064a8f7/low-floor-lrv-literature.pdf |url-status=live }} Their design and color schemes are similar to the vehicles used on the Blue Line.{{cite web|title=Gold Line Overview|url=http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/planning/GoldLine/Pages/default.aspx|publisher=Charlotte Area Transit System|access-date=September 7, 2015|archive-date=August 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830000815/http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/planning/GoldLine/Pages/default.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://charlottenc.gov/Projects/Documents/GL2%20FAQ_v2.pdf |title=CityLynx Gold Line Phase 2 FAQ |author= |date=2020 |website=Charlotte Area Transportation System |access-date=December 12, 2020 |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613154433/https://charlottenc.gov/Projects/Documents/GL2%20FAQ_v2.pdf |url-status=live }} The streetcars are equipped with a hybrid wireless onboard energy storage system (OESS); they draw power from 750V DC overhead wires along most of the line except between Mint Street and the Charlotte Transportation Center, where they run on battery power.{{cite web |url=https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:96d27622-aa90-4c3e-ace7-6c41fc50e507/HQMOPR202108306296EN.pdf |title=Siemens Mobility battery hybrid operated streetcars enter revenue service in Charlotte, North Carolina |author= |date=31 August 2021 |website=Siemens Mobility |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902125913/https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:96d27622-aa90-4c3e-ace7-6c41fc50e507/HQMOPR202108306296EN.pdf |url-status=live }} The batteries are recharged when the vehicles resume running on-wire.

;Birney-style replica streetcar

Delivered in the fall of 2004, the three heritage streetcars, from Gomaco Trolley Company, were replacements of three non-owned historic streetcars that initially started the Charlotte Trolley in 1988. The streetcars operated along the, grade-separated, Charlotte Trolley from 2004 to 2006 and then on a limited schedule from 2008 to 2010, when the Charlotte Trolley ceased operations. The streetcars were then put back into service during the first phase of the CityLynx Gold Line; from 2015 to 2019, they operated along {{convert|1.5|mi|km|adj=mid}} line along Trade Street and Hawthorne Lane.{{cite web |title= Charlotte, North Carolina, Debuts New Trolley Cars, October 16, 2004 |publisher= Gomaco Trolley Company |url= http://www.gomacotrolley.com/resources/charlotteopening.html |access-date=May 31, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080513170644/http://www.gomacotrolley.com/Resources/charlotteopening.html |archive-date= May 13, 2008}}{{cite web |url=https://charlottenc.gov/charlottefuture/Documents/Streetcar%20Fact%20Sheet%20July%202013.pdf |title=CityLynx Gold Line Fact Sheet |publisher=Charlotte Area Transit System |date=July 2013 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-date=January 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127092528/http://charlottenc.gov/charlottefuture/Documents/Streetcar%20Fact%20Sheet%20July%202013.pdf |url-status=live }} In 2020, the replica trolleys were retired and sold to the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) for $550,000.{{cite news |last=Matthews |first=Mike |date=June 20, 2020 |title=MATA to purchase 3 refurbished trolleys for Riverfront Line |url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/memphis-mata-purchase-3-refurbished-trolleys-riverfront-line/522-4bfef431-71a8-4f9a-bdbf-674182f5238d |work=WATN |location= |access-date=31 January 2022 |archive-date=31 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131161536/https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/memphis-mata-purchase-3-refurbished-trolleys-riverfront-line/522-4bfef431-71a8-4f9a-bdbf-674182f5238d |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Harrison |first=Steve |date=August 30, 2021 |title=Second Phase of Charlotte's Gold Line Streetcar Opens As Officials Look Ahead At Expansion |url=https://www.wfae.org/charlotte-area-news/2021-08-30/second-phase-of-charlottes-gold-line-streetcar-opens-as-officials-look-ahead-at-expansion |work=WFAE 90.7 |location= |access-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918162534/https://www.wfae.org/charlotte-area-news/2021-08-30/second-phase-of-charlottes-gold-line-streetcar-opens-as-officials-look-ahead-at-expansion |url-status=live }}

Built in Ida Grove, Iowa, they were {{convert|48.9|ft|m|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|12.9|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall, with a weight of {{convert|48,000|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, and a crush load of 105 people (48 sitting and 57 standing). The exterior is painted green and yellow, while the interior was wood, including oak, cherry, birch, and plywood. Each streetcar had an accessible-compliant integrated wheelchair lift and air conditioning. Running equipment was a 30HP General Electric traction motor, utilizing 650 V DC via overhead lines. The streetcars had a top speed of {{convert|30|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.gomacotrolley.com/Resources/pages/birney_charlotte.html |title=Replica Birney Trolleys - Charlotte, North Carolina |publisher=Gomaco Trolley Company |access-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613193109/https://www.gomacotrolley.com/Resources/pages/birney_charlotte.html |url-status=live }}

{{main|Charlotte Gateway Station|Charlotte Transportation Center}}

CATS currently operates four transit centers, with a fifth, Charlotte Gateway Station, currently under construction. The transit centers operate as a hub-and-spoke system, with the Charlotte Transportation Center being its center and Eastland, Rosa Parks Place, and SouthPark as mini-hubs in their respective areas.{{cite web |url=https://charlottenc.gov/cats/bus/transit-centers/Pages/default.aspx |title=Transit Centers |publisher=Charlotte Area Transit System |access-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608234622/https://charlottenc.gov/cats/bus/transit-centers/Pages/default.aspx |url-status=live }}

{{Infobox station

| name = Eastland Community Transit Center

| symbol =

| symbol_location =

| type =

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| other_name =

| address = 5407 Central Avenue
Charlotte, North Carolina

| borough =

| country = United States

| coordinates = {{coord|35.20815|N|80.75372|W|type:landmark|display=inline}}

| owned =

| operator =

| manager =

| transit_authority =

| line =

| distance =

| bus_routes =

| bus_stands =

| bus_operators = {{rint|bus|1}} CATS

| connections =

| structure = At-grade

| bicycle = Bicycle racks

| accessible = Yes

| architect =

| architectural_style =

| status =

| code =

| classification =

| website =

| opened = {{Start date|2006|10}}

| closed =

| passengers =

| pass_system =

| pass_year =

| pass_percent =

| pass_rank =

| services =

| other_services =

| footnotes =

}}

The Eastland Community Transit Center is a neighborhood-sized transit hub located at the former Eastland Mall site, along Central Avenue. The {{convert|1.5|acre|ha}} site includes an open-air plaza and space to accommodate 8-10 small and regular-sized buses.

{{Clear}}

{{Infobox station

| name = Rosa Parks Place
Community Transit Center

| symbol =

| symbol_location =

| type =

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| other_name =

| address = 2811 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, North Carolina

| borough =

| country = United States

| coordinates = {{coord|35.27351|N|80.85462|W|type:landmark|display=inline}}

| owned =

| operator =

| manager =

| transit_authority =

| line =

| distance =

| bus_routes =

| bus_stands =

| bus_operators = {{rint|bus|1}} CATS

| connections =

| structure = At-grade

| bicycle = Bicycle racks

| accessible = Yes

| architect =

| architectural_style =

| status =

| code =

| classification =

| website =

| opened = {{Start date|2006}}

| closed =

| passengers =

| pass_system =

| pass_year =

| pass_percent =

| pass_rank =

| services =

| other_services =

| footnotes =

}}

The Rosa Parks Place Community Transit Center is a neighborhood-sized transit hub located at the Mecklenburg County Health Department, at the intersection of Rosa Park Place and Beatties Ford Road. The facility is named after Rosa Parks, who was an American activist in the civil rights movement best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott.

{{wide image|Rosa Parks Place 01.jpg|300px|align-cap=center|Rosa Parks Place in 2021}}

{{Clear}}

{{Infobox station

| name = SouthPark Community Transit Center

| symbol =

| symbol_location =

| type =

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| other_name =

| address = 4400 Sharon Road
Charlotte, North Carolina

| borough =

| country = United States

| coordinates = {{coord|35|09|12|N|80|49|53|W|type:landmark|display=inline}}

| owned =

| operator =

| manager =

| transit_authority =

| line =

| distance =

| bus_routes =

| bus_stands =

| bus_operators = {{rint|bus|1}} CATS

| connections =

| structure = Underground

| bicycle =

| accessible = Yes

| architect =

| architectural_style =

| status =

| code =

| classification =

| website =

| opened = {{Start date|2004|12}}

| closed =

| passengers =

| pass_system =

| pass_year =

| pass_percent =

| pass_rank =

| services =

| other_services =

| footnotes =

}}

The SouthPark Community Transit Center is a neighborhood-sized transit hub located underneath SouthPark Mall. The facility was the first of its kind, for CATS, to operate as a "mini-hub" for the SouthPark neighborhood and surrounding area.{{cite web |url=http://ww.charmeck.org/Planning/Land%20Use%20Planning/Southpark_Small_area.pdf |title=SouthPark Small Area Plan |date=March 27, 2000 |publisher=Charmeck.org |access-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223112122/http://ww.charmeck.org/Planning/Land%20Use%20Planning/Southpark_Small_area.pdf |url-status=live }} The facility includes artwork from George Handy of Asheville; called Migration North and Migration South, they are made from corrugated wood.{{cite web |url=https://charlottenc.gov/cats/transit-planning/art-in-transit/completed-projects/Pages/southpark-center.aspx |title=SouthPark Community Transit Center |publisher=Charlotte Area Transit System |access-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518173402/https://charlottenc.gov/cats/transit-planning/art-in-transit/completed-projects/Pages/southpark-center.aspx |url-status=live }}

{{Clear}}

Image:LYNX Stonewall Station.jpg]]

Future expansion includes plans for light rail, streetcars and bus rapid transit along the corridors in the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan adopted in 2006 by Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC).{{cite web | title =2030 Transit Corridor System Plan | publisher =Charlotte Area Transit System | url =http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Rapid+Transit+Planning/2030+Transit+Corridor+System+Plan.htm | access-date =18 Jun 2008 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080608145131/http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Rapid%2BTransit%2BPlanning/2030%2BTransit%2BCorridor%2BSystem%2BPlan.htm | archive-date =2008-06-08 }}

On May 6, 2013, a 30-member transit funding task force released a draft report in which they estimated it would cost $3.3 billion to build the remaining transit corridors, and $1.7 billion to operate and maintain the lines through 2024. To fund the build-out by sales taxes alone would require a 0.78 cent increase in the sales tax, which would need to be approved by the state General Assembly. The committee recommended any sales tax increase be limited to 0.5 cent and other methods used to raise funds; some suggested methods included:

• Using the federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TFIA) to quickly begin construction. TFIA loans could pay for 33% of the streetcar project and 30% of the rapid transit line along Independence Boulevard. It could allow CATS to begin collecting new property taxes from projects built along the rail line, which could be used to pay off the loans.
• Expanding advertising on train cars and buses, possibly selling naming rights and sponsorships.
• Entering into partnership with a private company to help finance part of the project.{{cite news | last =Harrison | first =Steve | title =Group suggests new transit tax, private help | newspaper =The Charlotte Observer | date =6 May 2013 }}

Although build-out of the entire system has been estimated for completion by 2030,{{cite news | title =Destination 2030 | publisher =Charlotte Area Transit System | url =http://publications.ingagepublication.com/charlottelightrail/digitalpublication.php?width=1432&height=791 | access-date =25 Jun 2007 | archive-date =13 July 2011 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110713033601/http://publications.ingagepublication.com/CHARLOTTELIGHTRAIL/digitalpublication.php?width=1432&height=791 | url-status =live }} by July 2015, the Charlotte Area Transit System reported it lacked the funds to support any future transit projects apart from the already budgeted 2.5-mile long Phase 2 segment of the CityLYNX Gold Line.{{cite news | last =Harrison | first =Steve | title =New CATS chief in funding jam | newspaper =The Charlotte Observer | date =14 July 2015 }}

CATS has entered into a partnership with Duke Energy to pilot the use of electric buses. 18 BEBs from three manufacturers will be used over 18 months.{{Cite web|title=Charlotte Area Transit System, eTransEnergy Announce Electric Bus Partnership|url=https://charlottenc.gov:443/newsroom/cityhighlights/Pages/Electric-Bus-Pilot.aspx|access-date=2021-10-11|website=City of Charlotte Government|language=en|archive-date=2021-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011003405/https://charlottenc.gov/newsroom/cityhighlights/Pages/Electric-Bus-Pilot.aspx|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Lynx Silver Line}}

The Lynx Silver Line is a proposed {{convert|29|mi|adj=on}} east-west light rail line that would connect the outlying cities and towns of Belmont, Matthews, Stallings and Indian Trail to Uptown Charlotte and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.{{cite news |url=https://www.wfae.org/local-news/2021-04-29/cats-board-oks-revised-route-map-for-proposed-silver-line-light-rail |agency=WFAE |date=April 29, 2021 |first=David |last=Boraks |title=CATS Board OKs Revised Route Map For Proposed Silver Line Light Rail |access-date=2021-09-17 |archive-date=2021-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515122920/https://www.wfae.org/local-news/2021-04-29/cats-board-oks-revised-route-map-for-proposed-silver-line-light-rail |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/38c41613178a4650b9a9a509f00fb8ae |title=LYNX Silver Line |publisher=Charlotte Area Transit Systems |access-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216160139/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/38c41613178a4650b9a9a509f00fb8ae |url-status=live }} Originally setup as two separate projects known as the Southeast Corridor and West Corridor, they were merged in 2019 by the Metropolitan Transit Commission.{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Rob |last2=Goldner |first2=Brandon |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/commission-approves-plan-for-new-light-rail-from-belmont-to-matthews/275-6fa05acb-e958-4a2d-8424-70b0d6f06ef4 |title=Commission approves plan for new light rail from Belmont to Matthews |publisher=WCNC-TV |location=Charlotte, NC |date=February 28, 2019 |access-date=February 28, 2019 |archive-date=February 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228203622/https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/commission-approves-plan-for-new-light-rail-from-belmont-to-matthews/275-6fa05acb-e958-4a2d-8424-70b0d6f06ef4 |url-status=live }} Tentative opening date in 2037.{{cite news |last1=Bruno |first1=Joe |title=Cost increased and timeline pushed back for light rail expansion in Charlotte |url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/cost-increased-timeline-pushed-back-light-rail-expansion-charlotte/XEH3SHFMPZE4LOVULPXHE45YFM/ |access-date=29 June 2021 |agency=WSOC-TV 9 |date=28 June 2021 |archive-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629042056/https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/cost-increased-timeline-pushed-back-light-rail-expansion-charlotte/XEH3SHFMPZE4LOVULPXHE45YFM/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Lynx Red Line}}

The Lynx Red Line is a proposed {{convert|25|mi|adj=on}} commuter rail service routed along the existing Norfolk Southern O-Line right-of-way, connecting the towns in northern Mecklenburg and southern Iredell counties to Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. However, several issues had arisen that included ineligibility for federal funding and Norfolk Southern refusal to allow access to its right-of-way. In 2019, after a reevaluation of the entire corridor, the CATS decided to move forward with a bus rapid transit (BRT) service instead, the I-77 Bus Rapid Transit, and shelve the commuter rail service, which was met with frustration by various city leaders and residents impacted by it.{{cite news |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article238858703.html |title=Commuter rail 'essential' from Charlotte to Lake Norman, former mayor says |last1=Marusak |first1=Joe |newspaper=The Charlotte Observer |date=January 1, 2020 |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-date=May 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517114115/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article238858703.html |url-status=live }} However, in June 2024, it was announced that the City of Charlotte plans to purchase a section of the O-Line between Charlotte and Mooresville, NC for commuter rail service, thus placing the commuter rail option for the Red Line back into consideration. But a few weeks after the letter of understanding was made, local lawmakers passed a law stating that the city of Charlotte cannot buy land outside Mecklenburg County without the approval of each county and municipality with the railway that is being acquired, which could possibly limit potential expansion outside of Davidson.{{cite news |last1=Bruno |first1=Joe |url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/new-law-puts-twist-charlottes-red-line-project/GEHYJJH3VVAV5NR5UH3R2WOOHE/ |title=New law puts twist on Charlotte's Red Line project |publisher=WSOC-TV |location= Charlotte, NC |date=June 27, 2024 |access-date=July 1, 2024}}

CATS is currently working to launch microtransit in 2024, covering the University and North End zones, as well as a zone including Charlotte, Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville.{{Cite web |title=Microtransit |url=https://www.charlottenc.gov/CATS/Transit-Planning/Microtransit |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=www.charlottenc.gov |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2023 |title=Microtransit is coming to CATS. What does that mean? |url=https://www.sustaincharlotte.org/microtransit_is_coming_to_cats_what_does_that_mean |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=Sustain Charlotte}} This is proposed to replace the North Meck Village Rider service covering the latter three cities. A pilot program was deployed in 2022.

• 1997–2005: Service Consumption Versus Costs: (costs adjusted for inflation at 3.5% per year)
• : Ridership (unlinked trips): +52%
• : Operational cost per passenger trip: +66%
• : Operational cost per vehicle mile: +6%
• : Operational cost per vehicle hour: +16%

''Source: [http://publications.ingagepublication.com/CATS2010/digitalpublication.php?startpage=14#14 CATS 2010 Annual Report], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120521234919/http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/ National Transit Database]'

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Charlotte Area Transit System}}
• {{Official website|http://charlottenc.gov/cats/Pages/default.aspx}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120916121458/http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/pubs/profiles/2003/agency_profiles/4008.pdf 2003 Consolidated Income and Expenses]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120916163753/http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/pubs/profiles/2004/agency_profiles/4008.pdf 2004 Consolidated Income and Expenses]

{{Charlotte Area Transit System}}

{{Charlotte, North Carolina}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Transportation in Charlotte, North Carolina

Category:Bus transportation in North Carolina

Category:Passenger rail transportation in North Carolina

Category:RATP Group

Category:Intermodal transportation authorities in North Carolina