LYNX Rapid Transit Services

Infobox Public transit
name = LYNX

|thumb
imagesize = 200px
locale = Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina
transit_type = Rapid transit
began_operation = November 24, 2007cite news
first = Steve
last = Harrison
coauthors = Kristen Valle
title = Light rail, heavy traffic - Thousands wait in lines for a free ride on 1st day
publisher = The Charlotte Observer
page = 1A
date = November 25, 2007 ]
system_length = 9.6 mi (15.45 km)
lines = 1
stations = 15
ridership = 20,300American Public Transportation Association, [http://www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership/riderep/documents/08q2lr.pdf Light Rail Transit Ridership Report] , Second Quarter 2008.]
track_gauge = RailGauge|sg (standard gauge)
operator = Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)

LYNX comprises a convert|9.6|mi light rail line serviced by the Charlotte Area Transit System in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It commenced service on November 24, 2007, and runs through Uptown and South End, before paralleling South Boulevard to its southern terminus just north of Interstate 485 at the Pineville city limits.cite news
last =Harrison
first =Steve
title =A momentous arrival: After opening-day hoopla, what's ahead for Lynx?
work =The Charlotte Observer
date =November 24, 2007
url =
accessdate = 2007-11-24 ]

Future expansion includes plans for light rail, commuter rail, streetcars and bus rapid transit along the five corridors in the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan adopted in 2006 by Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC).cite web
title =2030 Transit Corridor System Plan
publisher =Charlotte Area Transit System
url =http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Rapid+Transit+Planning/2030+Transit+Corridor+System+Plan.htm
accessdate =2008-06-18 ] Build-out of the entire system is presently estimated for completion by 2034.cite news
last =
first =
coauthors =
title =Destination 2030
work =Charlotte Area Transit System
pages =10
date =
url =http://www.ingagepublication.com/publications/charlottelightrail/
accessdate =2007-06-25 ]

History

As Charlotte began to see extensive growth by the 1980s, it became desirable to control and focus the expansion. By 1984, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning commission made its first recommendation for a light rail line connecting Uptown Charlotte with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as part of the community's 2005 Vision Plan as a means to control growth. [cite news
last =Israel
first =Mae
title =Planners propose strategies for shifting Charlotte-Mecklenburg growth balance
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =8A
date =July 9, 1985
url =
accessdate = ] The service was to have become the first major rapid rail service of any kind in North Carolina, and serve as a revival of rail transit within the city since the original streetcar network was disbanded in 1938 in favor of motorized bus transit. [cite news
last =Rhee
first =Foon
title =Is a light rail system in Charlotte's future?
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1B
date =January 19, 1988
url =
accessdate = ] cite web
title =LYNX Blue Line South Corridor Light Rail Project Description
publisher =Charlotte Area Transit System
url =http://www.charmeck.org/departments/cats/lynx/home.htm
accessdate =2007-02-23 ]

After remaining dormant for nearly three years, the light rail debate once again emerged as a light rail/mass transit task force was established by then-mayor Sue Myrick in early 1988. The task force received $185,000 for the initial study of the system. The system was envisioned to consist of three lines radiating out from Uptown Charlotte.cite news
last =Rhee
first =Foon
coauthors =
title =Is a light rail system in Charlotte's future?
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1B
date =January 19, 1988
url =
accessdate = ] One line was to envisioned to connect with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to the northeast; a second was envisioned to connect Pineville, with expansion envisioned to both Fort Mill and Rock Hill to the south; and a third was envisioned to connect with Matthews, with expansion envisioned to Monroe to the southeast.

By September 1988, the results of the initial study carried out by Barton-Aschman Associates placed a $467 million price tag on a 77-mile (124 km) system encompassing a loop around Uptown Charlotte and eight separate corridors radiating in all directions from the city center.cite news
last =Rhee
first =Foon
title =Light rail has heavy price tag, transit system cost put at $467 million
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1B
date =December 3, 1988
url =
accessdate = ] The corridors envisioned included one to the east along Albemarle Road, to the southeast connecting with SouthPark, to the southeast connecting with Matthews, to the south connecting with Pineville, to the west connecting with Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, to the northeast connecting with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, to the northwest along Brookshire Boulevard, and to the north connecting with Davidson. However the plan was significantly more than the $101 million in bonds which was to be used to initiate the project. This combined with being unable to obtain existing right-of-ways essentially shelved the project as being too costly.

By March 1990, CATS only allotted $14 million for light rail development for the duration of the 1990s. Again, overall construction costs were cited in postponing the development of the system. Additionally, the Charlotte proposal at the time did not anticipate sufficient ridership of the system to acquire federal Urban Mass Transit Administration grant money to develop the system. The $14 million would be used for both the purchasing of abandoned right-of-way as it became available for future light rail development as well as monies for studying a proposed line connecting the Wilgrove area in east Mecklenburg County with Tyvola Road south of Uptown Charlotte. [cite news
last =Braun
first =John
title =Transit officials see mostly buses, carpools ahead: Their $83 million capital projects list includes just $14 million for light rail development
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =2
date =March 14, 1990
url =
accessdate = ]

In 1998, Mecklenburg County voters approved a one-half cent sales tax to be utilized in the implementation of the 2025 Integrated Transit/Land-Use Plan, which include development of a light rail network. [cite web
title =Rapid Transit Planning
publisher =Charlotte Area Transit System
date =
url =http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Rapid+Transit+Planning/home.htm
accessdate =2007-01-13 ] Once the tax was approved, the planning for the South Corridor to Pineville commenced.

Although light rail had been envisioned connecting Charlotte to Rock Hill in previous years, official planning for the corridor, later to become the Blue Line, would not commence until 1999. The line was to have initially been $225 million, 13.5-mile (21.7 km) route serving as a connection between Uptown Charlotte and Pineville along the Norfolk Southern rail line paralleling South Boulevard. [cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
title =Meeting to help decide when, where trains will be comin' down track
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1C
date =January 25, 1999
url =
accessdate = ] In February 2000, the Metropolitan Transit Commission unanimously approved the corridor for the region's first light rail line, and by April, $8.2 million was allocated for the initial purchase of materials for its construction. [cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
title =$8.2 million will get the ball rolling on light rail
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =2B
date =2000-04-27
url =
accessdate = ] By September, Parsons Transportation Group was hired by CATS to complete engineering and environmental studies for the corridor, and at this time costs estimates for the completed line increased to $331 million. [cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
title =Contract awarded for light rail engineering
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =4B
date =2000-09-21
url =
accessdate = ]

In July 2002, the overall costs for completing the line escalated to $371 million as a result of increasing land and construction costs. Additionally, the southern terminus for the line was moved approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the north along South Boulevard as a result of low projected ridership figures for the proposed downtown Pineville station, and primarily, as a result of the Mayor of Pineville, George Fowler, and the Pineville Town Council voting to not receive the line. [cite news
last =Lowrey
first =Michael
title =Charlotte, Triangle Transit Delayed
work =Carolina Journal
date =2004-06-11
url =http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=1597
accessdate = ] [cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
title =Cost of light rail to the south up 11%
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =3B
date =2002-07-25
url =
accessdate = ] By March 2004, costs of the line again were increased to $398.7 million and were again revised to $427 million by January 2005. [cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
title =Light rail: Higher prices, later arrival
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1A
date =2005-01-11
url =
accessdate = ] The increased estimates were blamed on both rising land and construction costs. After numerous delays caused by increasing cost estimates, the official groundbreaking for the line occurred on February 26, 2005. [cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
title =Celebration marks start of work on light-rail line
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =2B
date =2005-02-27
url =
accessdate = ]

On February 22, 2006, CATS unveiled "LYNX" as the official name of its light rail network, chosen from a list of over 250 possibilities including City Lynx and Xcel. The name was partially chosen so as to adhere to the big cat theme in the names of the local professional sports teams, (the Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Bobcats). "LYNX" was also chosen since it was homophonous with "links", suggesting connectivity. [cite news
title =Light-rail name keeps the CATS theme going
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1B
date =2006-02-23
url =
accessdate = ]

By September 2006, estimated completion costs for the Blue Line once again were increased. This time the increase was blamed on poor planning and design of the line from the consultants hired by CATS to design the line, Parsons Transportation Group. Revised estimates as of early 2007 called for the project to be completed at a final cost of $462.7 million, more than double the original estimate of $227 million. [cite news
last =LaCour
first =Greg
title =Light-rail tab unveiled
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1B
date =2006-10-03
url =
accessdate = ]

On its opening weekend of November 24-25, 2007 all trips were free, resulting in 24,000 rider trips in the first four hours and 60,000 trips in the first day. This was well above maximum rated capacity for LYNX service.cite news
last =Harrison
first =Steve
title =Light Rail, Heavy Traffic
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1A
date =2007-11-25
url =http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/377198.html
accessdate = ] Revenue service commenced with the first train on November 26, 2007.

Ridership

Prior to the opening of the line in November 2007, CATS projected ridership for the completed Blue Line to be 9,100 on an average weekday in its first year of operation, and gradually increase to 18,100 by 2025. In its first few months of operation, the Blue Line saw an average daily weekday ridership 8,700 passengers.cite web
last = Gaffney
first = John
title =Light Rail Public Transportation Ridership Report
publisher =American Public Transportation Association
date = Fourth Quarter 2007
url =http://www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership/riderep/documents/07q4lr.pdf
accessdate =2008-04-02 |format=PDF] By the end of the first quarter of 2008, weekday ridership had increased to 18,600, double first-year projections and ahead of the 2025 projections.American Public Transportation Association, [http://www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership/riderep/documents/08q1lr.pdf Light Rail Transit Ridership Report] , First Quarter 2008.] In March 2008, the single light rail line accounted for 19.5% of total system ridership -- 402,600 of the 2,061,700 monthly passenger-trips of all lines including bus, dial-a-ride, and vanpool.

For 2008, LYNX is projected to handle 4.2 million trips.cite web
author = Steve Harrison
title = Light rail line rolls right along
publisher = The Charlotte Observer
url = http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/644352.html
accessdate = 2008-05-29]

Controversy

Among critics, the system has gained a reputation as a "money hole". Pointing to low projected ridership, Charlotte-Mecklenburg's lack of need for urban rail now and in the future, and the rail's unlikeliness of having a significant effect reducing Charlotte's road congestion, detractors question the cost-effectiveness and sense of the project.cite web
title =Stop the Train Mecklenburg
url =http://www.stopthetrain.com/
accessdate =2007-02-23 ] The project has been scrutinized by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation as being an inefficient use of federal taxpayer dollars [cite news
title =Conservative group criticizes light-rail funding
work =Charlotte Business Journal
date =June 15, 2006
url =http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2006/06/12/daily38.html?from_rss=1
accessdate =2007-02-23 ] as well as being a major issue between incumbent Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory and Democratic opponent Craig Madans in the 2005 mayoral race. [cite news
last =Rubin
first =Richard
title =Maddan takes 3rd bid to shops and churches
work =Charlotte Observer
date =October 13, 2005
url =
accessdate = ]

Critics of local urban rail also cite cost-overruns and concerns over CATS management, as further reasons to launch a petition drive to put a proposed repeal of the 1998 transit tax on the November 2007 ballot. Mecklenburg County elections officials announced in June 2007 that more than enough signatures had been gathered and validated, guaranteeing a referendum on the transit tax. The methods by which these signatures were gathered were seen by many as misinformed in that some who signed the petition alleged they were not told they were signing a petition to repeal the transit tax. [cite news
last =Harrison
first =Steve
title =Transit petition found support in surprising areas
work =Charlotte Observer
date =April 8, 2007
url =
accessdate = ] Opponents claimed that $8.9 billion is slated for transit out of a total of $12.7 billion for all transportation projects slated for the Charlotte region (Long Range Plan). Much, if not most, of this cost is due to rail. [cite web
url = http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2007/02/26/daily32.html
title = City is preparing for a battle over transit tax
last =Spanberg
first = Erik
work = Charlotte Business Journal
date = February 28, 2007]

The opponents also allege transit will provide a viable means of transportation for just 2-3% of the Charlotte region's travel needs, and 1% of regional travel, according to David Hartgen, professor of Transportation Policy Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte [cite web
url = http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/data.htm
title = National Transit Database
author = Federal Transit Administration] [cite web
url = http://www.mumpo.org/PDFs/2030_LRTP/2030_LRTP_Amendment_Report_2(May2007).pdf
title = 2030 Long-Range Transportation Plan Amendment
author = Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization
date = May 16, 2007
format=PDF] [cite web
url = http://www.charmeck.org/NR/rdonlyres/eeetqupyrb2davfgwr3lw756x34htb7cvcmz2t6ijp625undfczu34dx2bszmrxj4ewtx7yxskifgb25ra6qqsh3ejb/MTC102506.pdf
title = 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan: Implementation Scenarios and Preliminary Financial Results
author = CATS Metropolitan Transit Commission
date = October 26, 2006
format=PDF] Road Transportation advocate Wendell Cox also cites similar concerns of low cost/benefit ratio of the South Corridor line (and urban rail for Charlotte-Mecklenburg). [cite web
url = http://www.publicpurpose.com/charlotte.htm
title = Breach of Faith: Light Rail and Smart Growth in Charlotte
last = Cox
first = Wendell] In addition, Sam Staley, Director of Urban and Land Use Policy for the Reason Foundation, says that LYNX, and transit for that matter, struggles to capture riders in a sprawling city like Charlotte, where the majority of trips aren't made to the central city.cite news
last =Harrison
first =Steve
title =Rail a focus of transit tax debate
work =Charlotte Observer
date = September 20, 2007
url =
accessdate = ]

The campaign to save the tax garnered more than $650,000 - of which at least one third (more than $200,000) came from local corporations such as: Duke Energy, Wachovia, Bank of America, McDonald Transit Associates, Parsons Brinckerhoff, and Siemens (German company that builds the light rail cars) - and more than 20 other known major businesses, all of which former city council member Don Reid claims profit from CATS operations. The group working to repeal the transit tax raised less than $13,000, mostly from individuals. [cite web
url = http://www.cabarrusedc.com/documents/2007.10.30_Transittaxispopular.pdf
title = Transit Tax is Popular with Big Business
author = The Charlotte Observer
date = October 30, 2007
format=PDF] After much debate, Mecklenburg County voters rejected the repeal of the transportation tax by a margin of 70 percent to 30 percent on November 6, 2007. [cite web
url = http://www.meckboe.org/pages/Election/ElectionReport/ENR2007General/summary.html
title = Mecklenburg County, NC 11/06/2007 General Election - Repeal of the 1/2% Transportation Tax
author = Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
date = November 6, 2007] [cite news
last =Harrison
first =Steve
title = Tax supporters, foes surprised by margin of victory
publisher =The Charlotte Observer via Mass Transit Magazine
date = 2007-11-07
url =http://www.masstransitmag.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=4760&pageNum=3
accessdate = ]

By March 2008, Lynx was averaging double the opening-year projections and ahead of projections for the year 2025. Jim Puckett, former Mecklenburg County Commissioner and co-leader of the recall, said in the "Charlotte Observer": "I have to admit, they are doing better than I expected.... Our concern was whether we would have a white elephant, and it doesn't seem we do." Still, the system has vocal critics. [cite web
url=http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/cms/2008/06/06/the-follies-of-the-right/
title=The Follies (of the Right)
author = Chris Fitzsimon
publisher= North Carolina Justice Center
accessdate=2008-08-03]

Rolling stock

In January 2004, CATS began the process of formally accepting bids for the construction of the system's vehicles. Original estimates for the vehicles was $3.5 million per car with the firms Bombardier, Siemens and Kinki Sharyo bidding for the final contract. The $52 million contract for 16 vehicles was awarded to Siemens on February 25, 2004. [cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
title =Planners OK buying 16 trains for $53 million
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =4B
date =February 26, 2004
url =
accessdate = ]

LYNX's fleet initially consisted of 16, convert|91.3|ft, 97,470 pounds Siemens-built Avanto vehicles, similar to those currently in operation for the METRORail in Houston, Texas. Each vehicle contains 68 seats and have a maximum capacity of 236 passengers complete with four bike racks. Each car has a maximum speed of convert|65|mph but top speed will be restricted to convert|55|mph with its power coming from 750 volts via overhead wires. [cite web
title =Light Rail Vehicles
publisher =Charlotte Area Transit System
date =
url =http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Rapid+Transit+Planning/South+Corridor/Light+Rail+Vehicles.htm
accessdate =2007-01-14 ]

The original order of 16 rail cars was manufactured by Siemens, of Berlin, Germany, with delivery complete in 2006-07. These cars are numbered 101-116. Additionally, CATS retains an option to order an additional 25 cars based on ridership once the line is operational.cite news
last =Rubin
first =Richard
title =1st LYNX car arrives, but 1,000 miles of tests await
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1B
date =June 24, 2006
url =
accessdate = ] Car 101 arrived via flatbed truck to Charlotte on Friday, June 23, 2006, from the Siemens facility in Sacramento, California where it was constructed. Testing of the vehicles commenced in August 2006 along a convert|1.3|mi stretch of completed rail between Tremont Avenue and the light rail maintenance facility off South Boulevard. During the testing phase, each car logged convert|1000|mi in order to adequately test the acceleration, braking and overall performance for each vehicle.

When not in use, the trains are stored at the South Boulevard Light Rail Facility, located along South Boulevard, between the New Bern and Scaleybark stations in Sedgefield. The facility is approximately 92,000 square feet, and houses the LYNX rail maintenance and operations staff and the the Rail Operations Control Center in addition to the Bus Operations Control Center. Officially dedicated on June 23, 2007, the facility contains convert|2.5|mi of track and 5,200 ties.cite news
last =Leier
first =Jean
title =Join CATS for the grand opening of the South Boulevard Light Rail Facility
work =Charlotte Area Transit System
date =June 19, 2007
url =http://cmsmondo.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=161837269&EXTRA_ARG=B1%3DGo&CFGNAME=MssFind%2Ecfg&host_id=1&page_id=5048&query=South+Boulevard+Light+Rail+Facility&hiword=SOUTH+BOULEVARD+LIGHT+RAIL+FACILITY+FACILITIES+LIGHTING+LIGHTS+LIGHTED+FACILITYS+RAILS+LIGHTER+FACIL+FACILITES+LIGHTERS+LIGHTLY+RAILING+FACILITYBASED+SOUTHS+BOULEVARDS+BOULEVARDE+#tophttp://cmsmondo.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=161837269&EXTRA_ARG=B1%3DGo&CFGNAME=MssFind%2Ecfg&host_id=1&page_id=5048&query=South+Boulevard+Light+Rail+Facility&hiword=SOUTH+BOULEVARD+LIGHT+RAIL+FACILITY+FACILITIES+LIGHTING+LIGHTS+LIGHTED+FACILITYS+RAILS+LIGHTER+FACIL+FACILITES+LIGHTERS+LIGHTLY+RAILING+FACILITYBASED+SOUTHS+BOULEVARDS+BOULEVARDE+#top
accessdate =2008-06-19]

Three replica historic trolleys rejoined the modern fleet in April 2008. These vehicles, along with restored historic Car Number 85, were operated by the nonprofit Charlotte Trolley from the late 1990s until the start of LYNX construction. [cite web
last = Harrison
first = Steve
title = Trolley joining Lynx on light-rail tracks
publisher =Charlotte Observer
date =
url =http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/584497.html
accessdate =2008-04-19 ]

Due to better than expected ridership, in May 2008 CATS announced that four additional Avanto vehicles will be purchased to add capacity to the existing 16 vehicles in operation.cite news
last =Leier
first =Jean
title =CATS purchasing four additional light rail vehicles
work =Charlotte Area Transit System
date =May 13, 2008
url =http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/About+Us/PR+5.13.08+-+LRV.htm
accessdate =2008-06-16] The trams are to cost $3.8 million each and are expected to be delivered by Siemens in 2010.

Fares

Fares are purchased on the platform of all stations from self-served ticket vending machines. These machines accept cash, coins, debit and credit cards.cite web
url = http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/LYNX/Ticket+Vending+Machines.htm
title = Ticket Fare Machines: Fare Evasion
author = Charlotte Area Transit System
date = November 7, 2007] Transfers from buses, weekly and monthly passes are also accepted. Fares are equal to those of the existing bus network which as of June 1, 2008 are $1.30 for a one-way trip, $4.00 for a one-day pass, $13.00 for a weekly pass and $52.00 for a monthly pass.cite web
url = http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/LYNX/LYNX+Fares.htm
title = LYNX Fares
author = Charlotte Area Transit System
date = June 1, 2008] On October 6, 2008, fares will be increased to $1.50 for a one-way trip, $15.00 for a weekly pass and $60.00 for a monthly pass.cite news
last =
first =
title =Passes & Fares - Fare Change October 6, 2008
work =Charlotte Area Transit System
date =June 19, 2008
url =http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Riding+CATS/Passes-Fares+08.htm
accessdate =2008-06-16]

LYNX's fare system is organized on the proof-of-payment system; there are no turnstiles at the entrances to train platforms. Instead, fares are enforced by random sweeps through trains and occasional checks for fares as passengers enter and leave the train by CATS Fare Inspectors. If a passenger is caught without evidence of proper fare, a citation of $50 is issued in addition to potentially facing a Class 3 misdemeanor charge. CATS estimates that between 4 and 5 percent of total fare revenue will be lost from persons who ride without paying.cite news
last =Harrison
first =Steve
title =Want to ride? Please help yourself
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1B
date =November 19, 2007
accessdate = ]

Following an initial "grace period" between its November 2007 opening and February 2008, CATS took more action with regards to issuing citations for fare jumpers. This was the case as many of the ticket vending machines were not working properly at all stations.cite news
last =Harrison
first =Steve
title =LYNX blitz catches 41 without tickets
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =2B
date =February 6, 2008
accessdate = ] As part of what was deemed LYNX's first "fare enforcement blitz" during the first week of February 2008, 41 citations were issued with one arrest in the first day of enhanced enforcement.

Public art

As part of the budget for the LYNX system, a percentage of the overall cost was reserved for both the purchase and display of public art along the route. Through the utilization of less than 1 percent of the overall design and construction budget, 13 artists have been selected to design displays for each of the Blue Line's 15 stations.cite web
title =ABC's of Art: Adams, Blum, and Cassidy...Just to Name a Few!
work =South Transitions
publisher =Charlotte Area Transit System
date =Winter 2006
url =http://www.charmeck.org/NR/rdonlyres/eh5ojlyta6gpf4rdpf7xzojfzhyprrqojtfdqb5ibgkeywo5lexoirdkqd46fmvcgjxd4v4r7soubgcybi2iapbzosf/SouthTransSum07.pdf
accessdate =2007-09-29 |format=PDF]

Future expansion

Blue Line

An convert|11|mi "Northeast Corridor" extension of the present 9.6 mile segment is presently in the planning stages, and is estimated to be finished by 2015. This would add another convert|11|mi of rail and 14 stations to the system.

Purple Line

The Purple Line is a proposed convert|30|mi rail line to be constructed along existing Norfolk Southern tracks and serve the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson in northern Mecklenburg County. The line will be serviced by Diesel Multiple Unit trains for a commuter rail service. The southern terminus for the line will be the proposed Gateway Station in Uptown Charlotte.

ilver Line

The Silver Line is a proposed convert|13.5|mi rapid transit corridor to be operated as either a BRT or light rail line between the CPCC Levine Campus in Matthews and the proposed Gateway Station in Uptown Charlotte. Proposals call for it to be complete through Idlewild Road by 2022, Sardis Road North by 2024 and finally to CPCC Levine by 2026. As currently aligned, the completed line will have 16 stations at an estimated cost of $582 million. In September 2006, the MTC voted to delay on determining whether BRT or light rail should be built along the corridor until 2011.cite news
last =Rubin
first =Richard
coauthors =
title =Rail? Bus? Neither for now
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1A
date =September 28, 2006]

Center City Corridor

The Center City Corridor is a proposed convert|9.9|mi streetcar line, connecting the University Park area of west Charlotte with Eastland Mall in east Charlotte via Uptown Charlotte, in a primarily east-west direction. Proposals call for completion by 2018. However, in May 2008 the Charlotte City Council approved $500,000 to study the corridor in terms of an updated cost estimate, economic benefits and the eligibility of the corridor for federal funding in an effort to potentially expedite its construction and open by 2013.cite news
last =Tierney
first =Dan
title =City OKs further study of streetcars, their costs
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1M
date =June 1, 2008 ]

West Corridor

The West Corridor is a proposed convert|6.4|mi streetcar line, connecting Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in west Charlotte with Uptown Charlotte. Proposals call for completion by 2034. With a completion date over two decades out, in 2008 CATS announced enhanced bus service along this corridor to serve as a placeholder until the streetcar can be constructed.cite news
last =Sullivan
first =Karen
title =Bus to airport may improve
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1B
date =May 25, 2008 ] The service will commence in early 2009 and feature fewer stops and timing similar to that of the future streetcar route.

ee also

*List of LYNX Stations
*List of United States light rail systems by ridership
*Light rail in North America
*Charlotte Trolley
*Charlotte Area Transit System

References

External links

* [http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Rapid+Transit+Planning/home.htm CATS] Rapid Transit Planning
* [http://www.charmeck.org/departments/cats/lynx/home.htm Official link] to LYNX Blue Line opened November 24, 2007