Local

As fewer people use public transit, CATS announces service changes

CHARLOTTE — CATS will offer free rides starting Wednesday in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.

You won't have to use the ticket vending machine or fare boxes.

They're asking passengers to get off the bus using the back door.

There will be a lot of buses will operate on a Saturday schedule.

As for the light rail, it's moving to a Sunday schedule.

Service modifications are as follows:

Bus

CATS Local fixed-route and community circulator buses will operate on a Saturday schedule Monday thru Saturday. Buses will operate normal Sunday service on Sundays. The route 290-Davidson Shuttle will not operate.

CATS Express routes will operate two trips in the morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday. The 41X-Steele Creek Express, 61X-Arboretum Express, 65X-Matthews Express and 88X- Mountain Island Express will not operate due to complementary local routes in those areas.

CATS asks that riders exit buses through available rear doors.

Light Rail

The LYNX Blue Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.

Paratransit

CATS’ Special Transportation Services (STS) operations will be limited to life-sustaining trips only. Life sustaining trips include those to medical facilities and grocery stores.

"By operating modified service, we're able to continue providing our community access to essential daily needs, front-line jobs and medical services", said CATS CEO John Lewis. “We thank our riders for obeying the recommendations of officials and providing room on transit for those who serve us most.”

Sanitization Efforts

CATS continues its stringent sanitization efforts. As a standard, every vehicle in CATS’ fleet is cleaned on a nightly basis. On March 3, CATS implemented Contamination Protocol, more than one week before Mecklenburg County’s first identified case of COVID-19.

In addition to nightly normal cleaning procedures, Contamination Protocol consists of:

  • All hard surfaces on vehicles are wiped down with a hospital-grade solution
  • All 42 light rail vehicles are being treated with disinfectant antibacterial foggers

CATS continues to make gloves, anti-bacterial hand-gel, and anti-bacterial soap available to all bus drivers and train operators