Transportation
Charlotte currently operates the largest transit system between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, GA. CATS (Charlotte Area Transportation System), managed by the Public Transit Department of the City of Charlotte, provides safe, convenient, and affordable transit services throughout Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.
The LYNX Blue Line is the Charlotte region's first light rail service. It is 9.6 miles long and operates from I-485 at South Boulevard to Uptown Charlotte. With 15 stations including seven park and ride locations, the LYNX Blue Line provides a congestion free commute with a consistent travel time. Trains will operate seven days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., and service is available every 7.5 minutes during weekday rush hour and every 15 minutes during non-peak hours. During weekday evenings the Blue Line will operate every 30 minutes. Weekend service will operate every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes during late night hours.
Dozens of bus routes are timed to connect with trains at the Blue Line stations, making it easy to get to wherever you need to be. More than thirty local routes provide the flexibility of numerous stops within the city, with most operating from 4:49 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday, and 5:25 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Sundays. Twelve express routes provide quick transportation – with minimal stops – from the suburbs to the uptown area.
The Gold Rush rubber-wheeled trolley service, also operated by CATS, offers two circulating lines in Center City. These minibuses resemble historic streetcars and provide routes that run up and down Tryon Street and west along Trade Street through the historic Fourth Ward. The Gold Rush trolleys stop at marked bus stops every seven minutes from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
CATS provides convenient access to many Center City Charlotte hotels, Charlotte restaurants, Charlotte nightlife and more. Make your Charlotte North Carolina travel plans easier by using CATS.
For more information, just call CATS at (704) 336-RIDE to speak with a Transit Customer Service Representative Monday through Friday from 6:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. BUSTER, an interactive information expert, can also take calls 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Charlotte Area Transportation System
Trains/Railroad
Amtrak provides daily passenger rail service to the north and south, with connections to the east/west lines accessing most of the United States, as well as its Piedmont train to Raleigh and Carolinian train to New York.
Amtrak
1914 North Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28206
1-800-USA-RAIL