Light Rail temporarily closed Oct. 19-20

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)  will temporarily close the light rail for essential annual system maintenance Saturday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 20.

For the UNC Charlotte Main Station, service will cease after the last drop off at 1:02 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, and is expected to resume at 5:26 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21.

Bus bridge

CATS will operate a bus bridge to provide alternative transit to points normally served by light rail. Faculty/staff who have opted into the all-access transit pass and students may use their 49er ID card to access the buses. Anyone without a transit pass may purchase a ticket at the kiosk at the train station or by using the CATS Pass mobile app.

Traffic on N. Tryon Street

Maintenance will also be performed on gates along the light rail during this time frame. Expect gates to be down periodically even if trains aren’t running. This means it may not be possible to turn left out of Institute Circle and CRI Deck onto N. Tryon Street during the maintenance window.

More information

  • Additional information about the bus bridge and the schedule can be found here. 

  • Additional information and updates on the temporary closure, including a definitive reopening time, are available on the CATS website, Facebook or Twitter.

#whyiride

Xuan Trong, Graduate Student

“Light rail has been a game changer for me. It allows me easy access to the University’s main campus and Center City Building for my studies while providing the perfect option to explore South End when I want to go to dinner with friends. As a Charlottean, the light rail has become an essential part of my life.”

Mitch Daratony ’17

“I love the light rail! I live in NoDa and ride it uptown daily to work. It’s become the best way for me to stay connected with the University, especially for Charlotte 49er football games. It’s so easy to get to campus without worrying about parking or traffic, and it’s a super safe and responsible way to enjoy tailgating!”

Karen Weatherington, Charlotte 49ers Volleyball Coach

“The light rail has been an extremely convenient option when my husband and I carpool for work. He’s able to drop me off at the Woodlawn Station near his office in SouthPark and I can easily get to UNC Charlotte. It’s a fun adventure to ride a packed train to uptown and continue the scenic ride to campus. I’m a big fan!”

Natalie Huie ’14, Staff Member – Center City

“As an alum and University employee, I enjoy being able to ride the light rail from my office in UNC Charlotte Center City to main campus for meetings and events. It provides a great option for 49er alums to come back to campus for sporting events and alumni occasions.”

Things You Need to Know

CATS all-access transit passes are now available for purchase through Parking and Transportation Services.

  • Permanent Faculty and Staff: You may make your purchase via payroll deduction or credit card through your MyPark account, the same system through which you may have purchased your parking permit. Purchases made via payroll deduction will be post-tax.
  • Temporary Employees: You may make your purchase by credit card through MyPark or by visiting the PaTS office to enroll in payroll deduction. Please note: Purchases made via payroll deduct will be post-tax and can only take place in the PaTS office. A form from Human Resources stating your work assignment will be required for payroll deduction.
  • Faculty Emeriti: You may make your purchase online through MyPark or by visiting the PaTS office.
  • Distance-Learning Students: You may make your purchase by credit card through MyPark or by visiting the PaTS office. If you are unsure if you have paid the Miscellaneous Transportation Service Charge, please check your most recent tuition and fees statement via Banner Self Service. 
  • Business Affiliates/Campus Partners (not including CRI Business Partners): You may make your purchase by visiting the PaTS Office and paying by check or credit card. You will need your University sponsor to complete a form before you can purchase a CATS all-access transit pass. Your sponsor should email pats@uncc.edu to request the form electronically. 
  • CRI Business Partners: Please contact Gail Keene at 704-687-8286 or pgkeene@uncc.edu to obtain a pass.