Charlotte Area Transportation System

Sprinter bus is by far the cheapest way to get to the airport — only $ 2.25 I think vs. around $ 11 for an Über and $ 25 for a taxi. I took it two or three times and it was always on time.

I would be fan if they genuinely provided student discounts via one card for the semester but I guess a daily rate helps those that can’t up with a card for the month.
Also, there should be a summer special price card so you know what let me stop this review to write the company directly.
1^st — the Golden Rush is the free trolley that runs from 6:50a-6pm Monday — Friday. The stops say they should run every 15 minutes but I’ve noticed it’s more like every 12 minutes inbound and other folks say «Just stand there. It’s coming»
2^nd — I heart the light rail as it is quiet enough and would LOVE it if it ran all the way to Carolina Place Mall or 1 block by the mall since it goes into Pineville near the Target, Steak and Shake and part of the I-​485/​I-​77.
3^rd — The driver’s that I have encountered are polite and always speak even when I’m not on the transit but walking by they’ll wave or acknowledge me.
4^th — The Airport bus is pretty good in my opinion. It’s an express, reasonable fair compared to an Über. $ 2.20 vs $ 8. from Uptown. It runs really early too.
5^th — I haven’t made it to the street car yet. I don’t know the hours and such but I look forward to getting around via the street car.

One can’t expect much from public transit in a city this size, I suppose. That said, some comments, from a business traveler:
The airport is not served by the new light rail. One has to take a bus, either to the city or to a light rail stop, which of course is an express bus with an elevated fare. You could buy a day pass for the entire transit system at a decent rate, but you can’t buy it at the airport. So out of towners like me are not well served.
The express busses from the airport are at least reasonably fast and direct, but I had a torrid time with a couple of other busses I tried, one of which was almost a half an hour late (but the one before it was not late, or I would have caught it), and another of which had a route that was different from the posted map and didn’t bother to let anyone know about it.
The Lynx, their light rail, is new and cool-​looking but not free of drawbacks. For one thing, it doesn’t really go to many useful places. The only extant route runs from the center of town through some anonymous suburban park and rides with not much going on around them. It does not go to the airport or the university. Probably okay for car-​based commuters that live here, but not that useful to me. At the end of the line, they were clearly continuing to build, so perhaps the system will grow into something.
For another, the suburban stations are quite high off the ground, and with no escalators, you’re either walking up quite a few stairs or waiting on the one elevator. At least the elevators worked. The trains themselves are quite nice, very quiet (I missed one because I was on those long stairs and didn’t hear it coming), and run with appreciable frequency. The stations are very modern, and voice notifications abound. They run off an odd honor system policy; you buy a ticket and no one really checks. In theory you’d get a citation if you failed to pay. Why fare gates weren’t an option I don’t know.
All told, you might look at CAT and think it’s cost efficient, but travelers might be better served by other modes of transportation until Charlotte builds more rail.

The public transportation here helped me out alot.
It was my first time ever being in the south but it was soo easy to travel here.
The drivers helped me out quite a bit and they were the nicest ever.
I got to know the whole city in a day because of the great transportation system out here.
The sprinter was my favorite but I believe I tried them all.

Can be improved, but that can be said with anything. The only reason this doesn’t have a 5 star review is because sometimes the staff can be rude, and the rules about cell phone use and eating are not always properly enforced. Other than that, 99% of the time the buses and light rail are running within scheduled time. And when there’s an issue, CATS does work hard to find a solution ASAP. The system is expanding past just buses and a single light rail line, which as a Urban Planning major is hugely appealing. One note, the system is cash only unless you buy a pass at the CTC or one of their retail partners (Harris Teeter, Walmart, etc.) or at the light rail stations. I hope they install card readers on the buses soon, but I can understand the costs and things that would prevent that from happening. The prices have gone up over the years, but if you want to use CATS for your commute, it’s still a far better deal that paying to park Uptown, which at a minimum is at least 100 bucks a month, mostly more. Plus you save gas and wear and tear on your car, and there’s less stress from driving. Charlotte’s express buses are my favorite. Unlike local routes, they stop at a handful of stops in their pickup suburb and then a few stops uptown at some of the busier office towers. They have more room and more comfortable seats as well as luggage racks. Overall, not the BEST transit system in the US, but sure isn’t the worst and they are taking the initiative to improve.

Once again, CATS increased its fares. What started out as a $ 3 roundtrip light rail ticket is now $ 4.40. This would not be so bad except that the fare is exactly the same regardless if you are going one station up or the entire length of the line. When you get a few people together, driving is actually more economical and easier. Also, with the increased fares, you would think that everything would be operational. On July 4^th, a train that we were on broke down. I was going to take the rail to the soccer game yesterday but half of the ticket machines were broke so there were lines at the ones that did. One of the working ones was also selling only one way tickets. I tried going to a different station and only one of the two machines was working there. I drove uptown, parked for free, and it was much more comfortable and easier than being squished like sardines in a train car. I won’t say that I’ll never ride the rail again, but the consumer value for me is not worth it anymore.

I’m really impressed by the Charlotte transportation system. Since I’ve moved uptown, I’ve used it on many occasions from the light rail, to the good old regular bus and the Sprinter line to the airport. Since I’m not used to taking public transportation, I was a bit nervous about catching the correct bus. I decided to call CATS and they were *extremely* helpful. I basically said, «I see a bus stop outside my window, and I have no idea what it’s called or where it goes.» The representative figured out which one it was and told me where I could go from there! I’ve taken it to the University area which was a bit cramped on the way back during rush hour, and there were a few «interesting» passengers. Nevertheless, it got the job done.
The light rail is fabulous; however, as Nicole W., mentioned, I wish it had more stops and ran at more times. It doesn’t make sense to me that it stops running at 1 AM when the bars close at 2 AM.
My absolute new fav though is the Sprinter. It is freaking awesome! The last time I didn’t have a ride to the airport, I paid a $ 25 flat fee cab ride from uptown and of course left an additional tip. The Sprinter bus is $ 1.75 and only .85 cents if you have a student ID! It runs every ²⁰⁄₃₀ minutes depending on the time and day so I think it’s pretty convenient. Bonus for me — it stops right outside my apartment complex!

Good for the environment… yes…major stekchyness depends… the buses are definitely an interesting experience. Light rail on the other hand is fun.
Bus fares start at $ 1.50 and when I’m in a pinch and my friends cannot get me somewhere I use the bus and so far other than having to wait for it to get to me and a bunch of stops before I get to where I need to be going it is fine… one appreciates their car A LOT more after a few trips on the bus.
Light rail is approximately $ 1.50 per ride, though I’ve seen folks rip off the system (adults that is) by buying a student pass for around $ 0.80…I know times are tough, but jeezzeee… The light rail runs from Center city south to Pineville. Me and the GF usually take it down to the Southend to visit a few bars and restaurants without getting behind the wheel.
Finally, the Gold Rush Trolley. The Orange and Red lines stop at destinations throughout the center city and is running Monday through Friday. Best of all it is free.

This review is for the the Lynx line. I’ve never ridden the bus in Charlotte, yet.
The Lynx line runs for about 9 miles from I-​485 to Uptown. During busier times trains are on a 7-​minute schedule. On less busy times they are on a less frequent schedule, maybe every 14 – 15 minutes.
The line opened in 2009, The stations and trains are clean. Ticketing is by the honor system. You are expected to buy a ticket. They don’t always check but there are often security officers on the train or on the platform to make sure everyone is cooperating.
The Lynx line is great for those of us who don’t line to pay for parking downtown. Parking is free at Lynx stations and the roundtrip ticket only costs you $ 3.50 compared to $ 6 and up to pay for parking uptown.
Also, each station has its own identity with different artwork around the platform.
Occasionally you see questionable activity at the stations. On one instance, I had a young girl sit next to me and then ask me to use my phone. I declined. She eventually went to the other side of the station and sat next to someone else then another person until she eventually left.
There have also been reports of some attacks at stations. All I can say is «Always be aware of your surroundings». If something looks suspicious, notify someone. There are also emergency call buttons at each station. Don’t be afraid to use them!

I love the bus. No doubt about it. I catch the 77X from H-​ville to and from work and love the option to work, sleep, read, play angry birds, write Unilocal reviews, etc. during my commute. So totally relaxing vs. fighting that traffic in my car. Not paying for parking, gas, wear and tear on the vehicle? No brainer.
I’d give 5 stars if there were rail that made its way up here to the hinterlands. Look forward to that day!

Unilocalers commenting on the Charlotte Area Transportation System, please visit the facebook group supporting expansion of Charlotte’s Light Rail lines and installation of the Streetcar. Link is below:

The light rail’s only failing is that we need more of it. It is wonderful for traveling from Uptown to South End and beyond, but in any other direction you’re eff’d. Apparently that is going to change. They have already laid the groundwork for a line out to Elizabeth, but after closing the street for a year to install the tracks, ran out of money and paused the project. That extra route will be added one day. Presumably soon, since it is 90% completed. Then I met a couple of surveyors in the woods by UNCC (long story) who were examining the ground’s suitability for an above-​ground extension of the network to the northeast. And the UNCC student union was built with a train station on the assumption that it will one day be connected to the LYNX system. So that’s at least two train routes in the works.
Unfortunately, the system now relies on buses. Buses are not great, for the simple reason that they travel on roads and that roads are slow, bumpy and twisty. Otherwise they are fine. There is a big stigma against public transportation in the south, presumably because it puts you into contact with poor people (!!!), but that is a stigma worth confronting. I met a lot of interesting people on the bus, but most were far more normal than I expected. With a car you can live your entire life meeting only people that you have handpicked. Public transportation forces you to interact with strangers and learn something about the people in your community. I think we all benefit from that.

In light of the gas prices being out of control and the fact that parking uptown is ridiculously expensive, I started riding the Express bus a few years ago and still purchase 10-​ride passes pre-​tax each month (as they are cheaper then the monthly pass and better for me as I work from home a couple of days a week and don’t use the bus on the weekends).
I really enjoy the ease with which I’m able to catch the bus a mile from my house, then totally zone out, nap (it’s true), catch up on some work or read a book/​magazine while someone else takes care of the driving. And the Express bus is clean, has fewer stops, and drops me two blocks from my office. In terms of cost, the Express bus is a bit more expensive then the city bus, but totally worth the time saved; I don’t mind paying a bit more for less stops, the commuter clientele and cushy seats.
As the Express bus only runs during peak commuting times, I’ve had to take the city bus twice, and would still give that three stars. And I’ve had the opportunity to use the light rail as well, which seems to be relatively busy at all times of the day (and night)…but is also delightful. All CATS options offer a place to store your bike onboard while riding, which is a nice perk.
If you’re trying to go-​green (or save some), I highly recommend checking into CATS. With a minimal amount of effort, you could make your commute a much more pleasant experience.

I am a huge fan of the Light Rail. I mean, how can you really beat a $ 1.50 for a ride? The train cars are clean and they run just about every 7 mins during peak hours. They even have sections to store your bike if you need to. I just would like for it to travel at a faster speed. Thats all. It stops right at the Epicenter and Bobcats arena. Jackpot!
PS. Im not sure if the Gold Rush Trolley falls under CATS but that is pretty sweet too. Free shuttle around uptown! Niiiiiiiiice.
–Ian M.

I never thought I would be a public transportation kind of girl but Charlotte turned me into one. After moving to Ballantyne, I had to find a more convenient way to get Uptown in a decent amount of time without the possibility of road rage and there was CATS. CATS offers over 70 bus and rail routes and even offers Express lines to surrounding counties and throughout South and North Charlotte. I used to take the Rea Road Express which ran about every 30 – 40 minutes between 6A-​9A and 4−7P. The first time on the bus I was nervous-​do I smile, make eye contact, keep to myself? Most of the people on it were business people going Uptown and after riding for a month, got to know them on a one on one basis. I could read, check emails and listen to my iPod (or occasionally take a nap but if you do this, set an alarm or be sure someone wakes you up). Pleasant experience in my three years of riding for the most part and it took about 40 mins to get Uptown from Rea and 485. Nice people, cushioned seats and only a few times of standing room only on the bus (around the time we ran out of gas in Charlotte). My only gripes were that I wish they had longer hours available for the Express lines and ran on weekends. Now that I think about it is another major gripe was that on the way to work or going home from work, if the bus was ahead of schedule it would sit on the side of the road for a few minutes until it was back on schedule and that didn’t sit well with me. I’m trying to get somewhere CATS — take me there who cares if you’re ahead of schedule? I moved to Dilworth and started riding the local Selwyn route which was ok — it ran more frequently throughout the day, convenient stops in Uptown however it didn’t have the cushioned seats I had grown accustomed to and my booty didn’t like that. The main issue is that all the lines seem to go directly to and from the Uptown Transportation Center (which I so affectionately call The Blvd of Broken Dreams – everyone looks super sad to be there) and could use more lines going throughout town (i.e. on 51 or Tyvola)
Light Rail is a good concept however with one line down to South and 485, it really isn’t convenient to a major chunk of the Charlotte population. If we were to have a light rail system like Portland where they have multiple lines going to the city and other areas from the airport, we could be so much more. Light Rail is packed on game days and late night with people heading from Uptown and always provides good people watching experience (like one dude who was rapping about KFC and Jesus-​who knew those two were even so closely related?) When I’ve been on, it’s been an ok experience but think they should run it an hour later to correlate with the hours of bars closing. Worrying about catching the last train while trying to enjoy an adult beverage isn’t exactly a happy thought. From what I’ve heard about in other cities, we have a pretty nice public transportation system. Take a chance… and a ride on CATS — our tax dollars are going to it so why not?!

Save the planet, go mass transit, right? While this review is solely based on the Lynx light rail system, I know plenty of folks who appreciate and depend on the CATS bus system too.
I live only a few blocks from two of the South End light rail stations and I really appreciate it. Hubs and I often spend the affordable $ 1.50 to hit up Uptown and avoid the sometimes irritating parking dance in Center City. The rail itself is quick, clean and easy and purchasing tickets is a total cinch via the ticket stands.
My only minor gripes? For one, the rail doesn’t run quite as often as I’d like. During off times expect to wait up to 20 minutes between trains… which, if you tend to run a bit late, like me, an additional 20 minutes can make you über late. Oops. Plus, the light rail doesn’t run super late on the weekends; I believe the last outbound run is around 1 am, which is late for me, but not for some folks who stay out all hours at EpiCentre.
It goes without being said, but I would use the light rail even more if they extended it to other areas of Charlotte. Here’s hoping that comes to fruition in a reasonable amount of time!

I’m a big fan of the light rail system. I just wish they could build it faster! Sometimes I catch myself just finding an excuse to ride the train into downtown. Sure it takes extra time to catch it… but it sure beats trying to find a parking deck, paying, road rage, etc.
My office use to me downtown so I would ride the express bus from Matthews in the mornings and afternoons. Man I miss it — having that extra 15−20min of sleeping time was great since the express buses are nice and plush. The way that CATS has the express buses set up is that it picks up its riders and then there’s a straight shot downtown.
I’ve tried using the express buses in the mornings now, but my commute is 1hr if I do that (I have to make a connection in the downtown terminal). Still it beats driving though.
In my book, Charlotte has undergone many changes through the years and the transportation system is just one of the many «nice» features the city can be recognized for. Can’t wait to see what the system looks like in 10 – 20 more years.

One thing I miss about Charlotte: the public transportation system. Especially the light rail.
The last two years I lived in Charlotte I used the CATS bus to ride to/​from work, eliminating many miles on my car and quite a few traffic headaches. (I DON’T miss Charlotte traffic. Thank goodness Raleigh has no traffic.) The light rail was great for getting to/​from uptown (as long as you were somewhere south), Panthers games, from the VW dealership to work, etc. The fares are extremely reasonable, and the buses and light rail are clean. Parking at the station lots is free, and the City does a great job of helping the traffic of patrons for the Wells Fargo Championship in early May.
The downsides are that the light rail doesn’t go far enough — it needs to be more like the Metro system of Washington, D.C. by going out to University City, down to Union County, up to the Birkdale area, and over to the airport. Also, it cost WAY too much taxpayer money for no longer than the track currently is.

I’ve got something very important to say: ATLANTA, GET A CLUE. THIS IS IT.
Ride was clean, smooth, quick, and effortless. Pretty cheap and it saved us $ 15 to park since we wound up in Charlotte during Taste of Charlotte. I’m a huge fan of public transportation, and I’m excited to see this in Charlotte. It’s not a full subway system like NYC or Boston, but it’s a very fine start and the future projects for the system sound grand.
Funny, someone told us that Charlotte incorporated the light rail (along with various performing arts centers) to be more like Atlanta. I’ve got news for you, Charlotte: You win.

Last night was my first trip on the light rail and I have to say, I am impressed. The trains are frequent and comfortable, the parking (at the Woodlawn station) is plentiful and well lit, and for a $ 3 round trip, it can not be beat.
My ticket was carefully checked by an inspector, so make sure you buy one from the automated machine before boarding. You can not buy a ticket on the train and the fine is steep!
I’m not sure why someone would say «Filth» about the Lynx, as the trains I rode were very clean. Drinking, eating and smoking are not permitted. Having ridden the MARTA in Atlanta, the METRO in Washington and the London Underground to compare, Charlotte’s system is excellent. There’s only the one route (Ballantyne to Uptown) but it does what it advertises — easy transportation from South Charlotte into the city.
Four stars… I’m a fan!