Charlotte Area Transit System

The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office secured 75 murder convictions in the first six months of 2026, with 69 guilty pleas and six trials. The office credited a 2025 restructuring and hiring under North Carolina House Bill 307 (Iryna's Law) for the success, which honors a 2025 murder victim. Five trial convictions included life sentences, and two officer-involved shootings were investigated.

Charlotte's French Street Station will temporarily close for concrete repairs, causing Gold Line streetcars to bypass the station and adjust service to Johnson C. Smith University. The closure is part of infrastructure maintenance, while the transit system also plans to implement a new fare policy for the Gold Line over the next 12 to 18 months.

A section of South Boulevard in Charlotte, N.C., will close for four weeks starting July 13 for drainage improvements by the Charlotte Area Transit System. The Blue Line will adjust its schedule, single-tracking between four stations with riders boarding from specific platforms during two separate periods.

Two people were hospitalized after a Blue Line train struck a pedestrian in South End. The Charlotte Area Transit System implemented a bus bridge between New Bern Station and Bland and shut down the light rail in the affected area.

Charlotte's proposed Red Line commuter rail has a nearly six-mile gap near historically Black neighborhoods, prompting concerns about exclusion. A subcommittee rejected a stop at Craighead Road and North Graham Street, citing low ridership and federal funding risks, but the full board will decide in August.

28 people, including a 12-year-old, were arrested during a law enforcement operation in Uptown Charlotte to ensure safety during the America 250 celebration. The arrests included nine adults and 19 juveniles, with charges ranging from curfew violations to possession of pyrotechnics. Eight parents were cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will launch a new fare enforcement program this fall, including electronic ticket validators on buses and light rail platforms to track ridership. The initiative also introduces discounted rates for more people.

Charlotte Area Transit System's interim CEO Brent Cagle outlined new safety initiatives, including 60 fare inspector ambassadors and AI technology to detect suspicious behavior. Crime on the Blue Line and buses has dropped by 69% and 67%, respectively, with increased police and security presence contributing to rider safety.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg region celebrates 50 years of public transportation growth with a ceremony organized by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). Local transportation leaders, employees, and industry partners participated in the event.

Charlotte City Council approved a new fare enforcement plan for the Charlotte Area Transit System, including dedicating 60 officers to enforcement, phasing out cash payments, and raising the senior pass age from 62 to 65. Details will be discussed in a 5 p.m. news segment.

Tepper Sports & Entertainment is implementing new traffic patterns around Bank of America Stadium for Chris Stapleton’s concert, collaborating with city partners to improve traffic flow. Changes include detours on Morehead Street and adjustments for vehicles exiting the stadium area.

Gastonia and Gaston County provide cooling centers at community facilities when temperatures reach 95°F, while Mecklenburg County offers heat relief at Roof Above’s Day Services Center. Free transit to cooling sites and extended library hours are also available to combat summer heat.

A man was arrested after a viral video showed him wielding a knife on a Charlotte light rail train. Derek Lamont Hutchinson, 36, faces charges including Going Armed to the Terror of the People and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is enhancing security following the incident and previous knife-related incidents on the Blue Line.

A man has been found incompetent to stand trial for the killing of a Ukrainian woman on a North Carolina train. The victim, Iryna Zarutska, was killed by Decarlos Brown Jr. on a Charlotte Area Transit System train.