CHARLOTTE — CATS fare evasion enforcement, collaboration with CMPD and underspending are all concerns North Carolina’s auditor found in a review of the Charlotte Area Transit System.
The audit began a month after Iryna Zarutska’s murder on the light rail, and the findings were released Monday.
The report estimates that CATS loses up to $6.5 million a year when people ride without a ticket. The auditor recommended installing gates or turnstiles as part of the solution.
The report also claimed that $1.7 million went unspent for safety and security measures last year.
CATS claims the money wasn’t fully spent because of things like projects and timing expenses.
Part of the city’s response to the new report included the upcoming fare enforcement ambassador team that will launch in October.
The city says it has already addressed some of the findings in the audit, including CATS and CMPD working better together to identify banned riders who try to use the system.
Click here to read the full report.