Hornets fans find alternate way to uptown with light rail shut down

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The NBA season started in Charlotte Wednesday night, 30 years from the franchise's inaugural year.

Fans swarmed into the Spectrum Center to celebrate the past and cheer on the present.

The Hornets wore classic throwback uniforms and the arena floor was designed like when they played in the 1990s.

Getting to and from the arena posed a challenge for many Hornets’ fans who attempted to ride into uptown Charlotte on the light rail.

Watch the video above as DaShawn Brown talks to passengers who had to figure out alternate plans

The service in uptown is shut down, forcing people to take buses between stations or drive themselves.

Crews from across the country have come to Charlotte to try to help get the line fixed. Officials said they may not be done until next Thursday.

“I just found out that it wasn’t running today,” passenger Tony Skeen said.

Last week, almost a mile of that light rail was damaged after a tree fell on the line and destroyed the wiring.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper recognized the Hornets, and the 30-year anniversary, as the first major professional sports team in North Carolina.

Cox Media Group