CATS opens temporary transit center in uptown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — People who use public transportation to get around in uptown Charlotte will start seeing a major change Monday.

Charlotte Area Transit System has opened a temporary transit center at 3rd Street and Mint Street for use during the Democratic National Convention.

Buses will pick up and drop off passengers at the temporary transit center.  White signs indicate where the buses will be parked.

The relocation came after the Secret Service decided the transit center's location posed a security risk.

CATS said riders can do everything at the temporary location that they would at the transit center, including buying passes.

One woman didn't know they were on a holiday schedule Monday, but for the most part, people say they knew in advance this was going to happen and planned for it.

There are also several CATS employees at the location to answer questions.

"If you don't know where you're going, they have a lot of people around. You can ask them and they will point you in the right direction," said CATS rider Tim Brown.

CATS has set up temporary air conditioned waiting areas for customers.

On Friday, CATS employees posted signs outside of the uptown area letting riders know about the scheduled changes.

The temporary transit center will be in place through Wednesday.  Buses will begin running out of the transit center across from the arena Thursday morning.

The express bus lanes on Independence Boulevard will also not be used through Friday for security reasons.

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