'Operator error' causes CATS Gold Line to derail in uptown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte Area Transportation System Gold Line streetcar is back to operating after it derailed off the track in uptown Charlotte Sunday morning.

Officials told Channel 9 that the cause was "operator error," and the operator moved the streetcar too soon before the tracks had a chance to switch over. Instead, the streetcar ran off the track.

The disruption lasted for about three hours.

“It's not a high-speed line, so it's kind of surprising,” said Matt Hooker, who was passing by.

Trade Street, near Caldwell Street by Spectrum Center, was shut down as crews made repairs.

“It's not a high-speed line, so it's kind of surprising,” said Matt Hooker, who was passing by.

Crews are still working to figure out why the streetcar came off the track. There were no passengers onboard and no injuries.

“I know a lot of people that park around here and take the trolley into town so they don’t have to pay for parking,” said pedestrian Johnny Johnson. “I think a lot of people really appreciate it.”

CATS officials tested the streetcar before allowing riders back on.

The Gold Line runs every 15 to 20 minutes daily from the Spectrum Center in uptown to Novant Presbyterian in the Elizabeth neighborhood.

A CATS spokesman said they will go through their standard policy that could include more testing or retraining.

Officials said they run an inspection every day on both the streetcars and the city's buses.

“I think about a lot of things that go wrong around town, but I never thought about that,” Johnson said.

A little more than a month ago, the uptown trolley service stalled.

In February, officials said a driver crashed into a streetcar stopped on East Trade Street and North Davidson.

Frustrated riders told Channel 9  they did not receive any warning or notifications about service being delayed or when it would be back up and running, but CATS officials say they post delays on social media.

Cox Media Group