IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     
Contact:  Jean Leier (704) 432-0496

CATS EXTENDS SERVICE FOR CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Charlotte, N.C., February 13, 2007 - As Charlotte prepares to welcome more than one hundred thousand fans to the Queen City for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Basketball Tournament February 26-March 3, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is making plans to help get visitors and commuters around Charlotte safely and efficiently.  

The CIAA Shuttle will run for the week of the tournament and connect fans to the Charlotte Convention Center, Afro-American Cultural Center, Levine Museum of the New South, Imaginon and several hotels and restaurants.  The shuttle will operate via College, Second, McDowell and Seventh Streets from 9:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. during the tournament.

CATS is also extending the hours of operation for the Orange and Red Line Gold Rush Circulator Service, which runs through Center City, until midnight each night during the week of February 26 – March 3.  The South End Shuttle will also operate extended hours until midnight during this time.

"By providing more hours of service, fans can travel around to events from Center City to the South End without ever having to get in their car," said Jim Zingale CATS' Chief Operating Officer. 

"We also have many local routes that provide transportation service near several hotels and shopping areas outside the Center City."

CATS customer service will be on hand at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena to sell bus passes to visitors and assist with route and schedule information. Click here for CIAA-Uptown Map.

To learn more about CATS and its services, call 704-336-RIDE or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org.