Ticket Vending Machines

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HOW TO USE THE TVM:

Ticket Selection Screen Shot Ticket Number Screen Shot
tvm screen shot

1 bullet To begin your purchase, first select the type of ticket. Make your selection by pressing the arrow key associated with your choice.

LYNX TVMs are bilingual in English and Spanish. To activate the Spanish language feature, press the arrow to the left of the word Español. (Para activar la opción de idioma español, presione la flecha al lado izquierdo de la palabra Español.)

On the next screen, please select your rider category. Use the arrows on the right to increase the number of tickets you need to purchase. To decrease the number of tickets, press the arrow key on the left. Now press the "buy" key. Remember, to purchase a senior/disabled or student/youth ticket, you must have a valid transit ID,school ID, or Medicare card.

Next, review your selection and determine your method of payment. Use the arrows on the right to select either cash or credit.

If you select cash as your payment option, please begin inserting your bills into the slot labeled "cash" located on the bottom right. The largest bill accepted is $20. Coins are to be inserted into the coin slot located in the center of the machine. Coins can be used, however, pennies are not accepted.

Customers may choose to use their credit card to purchase tickets. First select credit as your method of payment and then swipe your card in the credit card slot located in the upper right hand corner. Customers using a credit card will receive a printed receipt when their tickets print.

credit card

Three Once your payment has been confirmed, your ticket(s) will be printed. Lastly, remove your ticket(s) and don't forget any change.

Proof Of Payment

The LYNX Blue Line operates as a proof of payment fare collection system. You must possess a ticket or pass with a valid date and time in order to ride. A valid monthly or weekly pass is also considered as proof of payment. 10-ride passes, ADA red tickets, and STS yellow tickets are not valid on LYNX services.

Purchasing your ticket:
LYNX tickets can be purchased at self-service ticket vending machines (TVMs) located on the rail station platforms. TVMs sell one-way rides, one-day passes, 7-day passes, and round trip passes.

TICKET TYPES

One-way ride A one-way ride ticket is valid for one light rail trip in one direction. It expires 90 minutes from the time indicated on the ticket and customers can get on and off the train if they are continuing in the same original direction of travel during that 90-minute period. One-way rides are available in the denominations of adult, senior/disabled, and student/youth (K-12 only). Quick ticket Customer's who need to purchase only one adult one-way ticket may use the quick ticket feature to save time. The quick ticket expires 90 minutes from the time indicated on the ticket and customers can get on and off the train if they are continuing in the same original direction of travel during that 90-minute period.
Day pass A day pass is valid for one calendar day and expires at 12-midnight on the day issued. A one-day pass may be used on both bus and light rail services if time and date have not expired.
7 day pass A weekly pass is valid for seven consecutive days once issued and can be used on both the bus and light rail services. The ticket expires at 12-midnight on the seventh day.
Round-Trip Passes Need to travel round trip to go see your favorite sports team or attend a special event? Round-trip passes are available in the denominations of adult, senior/disabled, and student/youth. Round-trip passes are valid on the day purchased. The first ride, the ride away from the station where the ticket was purchased, has to be completed within 90 minutes. After 90 minutes, a patron can no longer use that ticket to ride away from the station where the ticket was purchased. If a fare inspector finds a patron riding away from the station of purchase outside the 90-minute window, that person could be subject to a citation. The second ride, back towards the station of purchase, can be taken any time before the end of the service day in which the ticket was purchased.

Using TVM tickets and passes on bus services:
One-way ride tickets, quick tickets, and round-trip passes can be used to transfer to bus service if used within 90 minutes of the time of purchase. The round-trip pass also provides a return trip use if the date and time have not expired. If you are transferring to a higher priced express or express plus service, you will need to pay the difference in fare aboard the bus.

Day passes and 7-day passes can be used on both bus and light rail services if the date and time have not expired. If you are riding a higher priced express or express plus service, you will need to pay the difference aboard the bus.

Vouchers
If a TVM malfunctions, a voucher receipt will be issued. Customers with a voucher should take it to the CATS Customer Service Center located at the Charlotte Transportation Center, 310 Brevard Street between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday - Friday and 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

LYNX Voucher

The voucher can be used as your proof of payment for you to ride the LYNX Blue Line.

If you do not receive a voucher receipt or voucher number, report the malfunction to CATS Customer Service located at the Charlotte Transportation Center.

Vouchers can also be mailed in for a refund. Please send your voucher and refund request to:

CATS
Attn: Pass Sales & Information Supervisor
310 E. Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Ticket Denominations: Individuals purchasing a one-way ride or round-trip pass as senior/disabled or student/youth must have proper identification.

Seniors/Disabled: People 62 years and up and, individuals with disabilities must be prepared to provide a valid Medicare card or Transit ID if asked by a CATS Fare Inspector or police officer.

Student/Youth: Children in grades K – 12 must have a valid transit student ID or a school ID. Children 12 yrs. of age and under are to be accompanied by an adult. Children 5 years of age or younger must be accompanied by an adult and ride at no charge.

College Students: College students are considered adults and thus must possess a valid adult ticket when riding. Most of the area colleges and universities have pass purchase programs through CATS that provide students with reduced prices when purchasing passes through their school.

Fare Evasion
CATS' Fare Inspectors and Police Officers will check for valid tickets and passes aboard the LYNX Blue Line. Remember to keep your ticket handy until exiting at your final destination. Customers purchasing and riding with a senior/disabled or student/youth ticket must provide a valid Medicare Card, transit ID or school ID. Failure to possess a valid ticket or pass could result in a citation of $50 and you may face a Class 3 misdemeanor charge.

Transit Citation Appeal Form

Safety & Security
CATS TVMs are under constant video surveillance. It is unlawful to tamper with a TVM or damage CATS property. Failure to abide by the law could result in arrest and loss of riding privileges. In the event of an emergency, listen to announcements and follow the instruction of CATS personnel.