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

HIGH RIDERSHIP MEANS CHANGES FOR SEVERAL ROUTES

Charlotte, N.C., February 18, 2008 ─ Ridership aboard Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) services continues to increase at a rapid pace.  Already in Fiscal Year 2008 CATS has seen a growth of over 9 percent compared to the same time last year.  To keep up with the customers' demands, CATS is implementing several changes on February 25.

The 54X University Research Park Express is the fastest growing route in the system. In just the first six months of the fiscal year this route has grown over 50 percent to 128,513 commuters.  Due to the escalation in ridership, CATS is adding two additional morning and afternoon trips to accommodate the
passenger loads.  The 61X Arboretum Express and 62X Rea Road Express will also see an additional morning and afternoon trip to keep up with ridership demand.  "High gas prices and providing efficient, affordable service has many commuters switching to public transportation," said Larry Kopf, CATS Chief Operations Planning Officer.  "We will continue to monitor all routes to ensure we keep pace with the demand for our services."
 
The LYNX Blue Line is adjusting several trips to serve its customers better.  The two weekday morning trips leaving I-485 Station at 9:02 and 9:22 a.m. that currently terminate at the Scaleybark Station will be extended to the Seventh Street Station.

Two afternoon trips at 6:07 and 6:22 p.m. will no longer end at the New Bern Station, but go all the way to the end of the line at I-485.  The one a.m. trips leaving the Seventh Street Station on weekdays and Saturday will also be extended all the way to the I-485 station.
 
Other changes include:

•Route 235 Jackson Park will add two late night trips until 10:00 p.m. to provide service to students attending late classes at the Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) Harris Campus on Morris Field Drive.

•Route 43 Ballantyne will be extended along Ballantyne Corporate Place and Ballantyne Commons Parkway to provide service to new development.

•Route 88X Lincoln County Express will begin service to a new park and ride located at the Wal-Mart on Highway 73 in Lowesville.

•Route 22 Graham Street will extend an additional morning and afternoon trip to the Prosperity Creek Apartments.

For a complete list of all schedule changes coming on February 25, log onto the CATS' website at www.ridetransit.org or call 704-336-RIDE.

With 63,000 daily commuters, expanded services, improved bus shelters, new transit centers and services for the disabled, transit is attracting more and more people to get out of their cars and ride CATS. These are just a few of the ways CATS keeps the whole Charlotte region moving forward.  For more information on commuting choices, visit ridetransit.org