Charlotte Transportation Center/Arena (LYNX station)

Infobox Station
name=Charlotte Transportation Center/Arena
type=LYNX light rail station


image_size=250
image_caption=Passengers entering a southbound train
address=310 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
coordinates=coord|35|13|30|N|80|50|29|W|type:railwaystation_region:US-NC
line=rail color box|system=LYNX|line=Blue
other=
structure=At-grade
platform=2 side platforms [http://www.charmeck.org/NR/rdonlyres/edx3cwbzamclchtik6e6xemujn5x6ykz466jeycfvxljzkkdtfwdsburaabrtwm5codhbpnprkkasllm43rjqovv7xg/CTC.pdf CTC/Arena station site plan] ]
tracks=2
parking=
bicycle=Racks available
baggage_check=
passengers=
pass_year=
pass_percent=
pass_system=
opened=24 November 2007
closed=
rebuilt=
ADA=yes
code=
owned=Charlotte Area Transit Systems
zone=
former=
mpassengers=
services=s-rail|title=LYNXs-line|system=LYNX|line=Blue|previous=3rd Street|next=7th StreetThe Charlotte Transportation Center/Arena station or CTC/Arena station is a light rail station for both the LYNX Blue Line and the historic Charlotte Trolley in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A.. The station officially opened for service on Saturday, November 24, 2007, and as part of its opening celebration fares were not collected.cite 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 ] Regular service with fare collection commenced on Monday, November 26, 2007.

The station is located at East Trade Street between Brevard Street and College Street. It has side platforms, which sit on either side of the tracks. Additionally, the station has an entrance from the platform into the neighboring Charlotte Transportation Center.

The station is unique to the LYNX system in that the entire platform is covered by a roof made of synthetic materials and supported by curved steel.cite news
first = Steve
last = Harrison
coauthors =
title = Rail's early opening hinges on one station - Uptown stop must be complete before any part of line can open
publisher = The Charlotte Observer
page = 1B
date = June 17, 2007 ] The present design was originally scrapped due to high costs, but was later brought back and constructed after multiple Uptown businesses donated money to make up the difference in construction costs.__NOTOC__

Notable places nearby

* Bank of America Corporate Center
* EpiCentre retail/entertainment complex
* Johnson and Wales University
* Mint Museum of Craft + Design
* North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
* Time Warner Cable Arena
* Trade and Tryon

Public art

As part of the CATS Art in Transit program, the CTC/Arena features several pieces intended to provide a better overall aesthetic for the station. The works include bas-reliefs entitled "Gingko" by Alice Adams, drinking fountain basins designed to look like dogwoods, the North Carolina state flower, by Nancy Blum, the Trade Street bridge supports entitled "Bobbins" pays hommage to Charlotte's textile industry was created by Andrew Leicester, Bobbins and track fencing featuring cottonwood leaves by Shaun Cassidy.cite web
title =CTC/Arena Station: Art in Transit
publisher =Charlotte Area Transit System
url =http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/LYNX/CTC+Station.htm
accessdate =2008-06-21 ]

Charlotte Transportation Center

Celebrating its grand opening on December 11, 1995, through a partnership with then-NationsBank, the CTC is served by most local and express CATS routes that lead from outlying areas destined for Uptown.cite news
first = Dannye Romine
last = Powell
coauthors =
title = Checked out the Transit Center
publisher = The Charlotte Observer
page = 1C
date = December 12, 1995 ] Its opening moved the central transfer point for all CATS buses from The Square two blocks to the west in an effort to improve traffic congestion along Tryon Street and provide transit riders a more efficient centralized transfer point. Additionally, a Greyhound bus station is located not far from here, as well as the downtown Gold Rush trolley service. The Amtrak station is approximately 1.5 miles northeast of the LYNX line.

Beyond just being the flagship transfer center in the system, the Charlotte Transportation Center has a rare distinction of having businesses located here for people's personal conveniences. Among these are a Bank of America branch, Postal Plus mailing service, a Plaza Sundries food store and a Char-Meck police unit; it also houses four restaurants: Bojangles', Burger King, Lil Orbits and a Subway.

References

External links

* [http://www.charmeck.org/NR/rdonlyres/edx3cwbzamclchtik6e6xemujn5x6ykz466jeycfvxljzkkdtfwdsburaabrtwm5codhbpnprkkasllm43rjqovv7xg/CTC.pdf CTC/Arena Street station site plan] from CATS
* [http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Customer+Service/Transit+Center+Info.htm CTC Customer Service]
* [http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Riding+CATS/Bay+Maps.htm CTC Bus Bay Maps]
* [http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/LYNX/CTC+Station.htm CTC Station (LYNX)]