Charlotte Light Rail's Blue Line Now Open: How To Buy Tickets

CHARLOTTE, NC — Friday morning, commuters will finally have a new light rail option connecting NoDa and the University area in north Charlotte to City Center when Charlotte-Area Transit Systems launch service on the 9.3 miles Blue Line extension.

CATS will kick off service in 10 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. at the University of North Carolina Charlotte’s Main Station. Additional ribbon cuttings will take place at 10:27 a.m. at the 36th Street Station and at 10:35 a.m. at the 9th Street Station.

The public will be able to board the train with the 10:21 a.m. trip from UNC Charlotte, city officials say.

Here are the 3 easy steps to ride, according to CATS:

• Know Your Closest Station: Download the RideCATS Mobile App or use our Trip Planner to find the station closest to your location and your destination.
• Buy A Ticket: You MUST have a ticket to ride the LYNX. Save time and buy your ticket ahead of time! Download the CATS Pass smartphone app from the Apple or Google Play store and purchase your ticket. If you don't buy a pass ahead of time, you can still purchase your ticket at one of the ticket vending machines at any station.
• Stay Safe: Visit safety.ridetransit.org to find out all you need to know about stay safe when near and riding the light rail.

You can find a map of Blue Line stations here.

Celebrations are scheduled throughout the city marking the occasion. In South End, for example, Sycamore Brewing near the East/West station is hosting a Light Rail Extension Food Truck Celebration featuring a night of live music, craft beer, wine and food trucks. That event runs from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“With the Blue Line light rail extension opening this week, the length of light rail in Charlotte will be doubled, making it easier to get to South End from all points north,” Historic South End said. The organization created a station guide listing South End businesses that will now be easily access by the rail service.

Celebrations will be ongoing throughout the day in NoDa, where food trucks and live music will also be on hand into the evening.

Here’s a video of the entire Blue Line route:

Watch this video about rail safety:

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Photo courtesy of City of Charlotte