CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In big cities that already have light rail transit systems, they've already addressed many of the issues we are just scratching the surface of here in Charlotte.

In New York, Tokyo, or Boston, for example, you have to buy your ticket in the train station and then go through a turnstile just to get on the train platform. This "purchase before entry" design cuts down dramatically on people getting on a train without a ticket.

Here in the Queen City, we don't really have train stations; you walk right up to the platform from the street or sidewalk, and can get right on the LYNX.

Last week, a WSOC TV undercover investigation revealed many people were riding the train for free. Many times tickets were never checked. On one occasion, when there was a ticket check, a member of our crew was able to pass off an expired ticket and ride for free.

This week, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is stepping up ticket enforcement.

Shifting staff from other duties, CATS is going on a ticket checking blitz. Using a combination of CATS police, Charlotte Mecklenburg Transit Police, fare inspectors and plainclothes personnel, they want to make sure everyone who gets on the train has a valid ticket.

The penalty for not having a ticket is stiff. A citation will cost $50, while a one-way ticket is only $1.30. The hope is that the additional $48.70 will keep most riders honest.

Still, even with the publicity that the extra ticket checking got in the press, CATS initially reports they wrote 10 citations during Monday's morning rush hour alone.

WSOC TV crews rode the trains again Monday to see if there really would be an increased effort to cut down on free-loaders.

Crews rode several trains, with and without TV cameras, throughout the morning.

On every occasion, not only were our crews checked for tickets, every other passenger we observed was as well. LYNX regular Leeann Sullivan was one such rider we talked to.

"I understand the ticket machines could break. There's always an exception to the rule, but you should always try to follow the rules. It's not fair if I have to pay and someone else rides for free," Sullivan said.

Thousands of people ride LYNX each day, and even with the increased effort to check tickets, CATS admits there is no way they will be able to check everyone.

Today though, of the hundreds of people we caught on camera and dozens we talked to, we could only find one man whose ticket wasn't checked.

Russel Fleming rides the train often and thinks maybe he didn't get checked because they recognized him.

“I always buy weekly or monthly passes and I ride the train everyday, morning and afternoon," Fleming said.

CATS reports they will continue the extra ticket checking for up to three weeks.

For another look at our undercover investigation from last week, to see video from Monday's checks, or to take part in a survey, check the side bar of this article.