IMMEDIATE RELEASE          
Contact: Jennifer Green (704) 336-2267

CATS CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF LYNX BLUE LINE

Charlotte, N.C., November 24, 2008-- One year ago today, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) celebrated the grand opening of the LYNX Blue Line, North Carolina’s first light rail line.  This monumental achievement marked a new era for public transportation in the Charlotte region.  Twelve months and five million trips later, the LYNX Blue Line is still exceeding expectations in a number of areas including ridership, safety and reliability.

“CATS is proud to mark the LYNX anniversary by celebrating the tremendous success we’ve achieved over the last year,” said CATS Chief Executive Officer Keith Parker.  “We’re averaging over 16,000 trips a day during the week.  That’s nearly double the original projection of 9,100.  Also, we’re on time for 99.5 percent of all trips and we’ve had no preventable accidents since we opened.  Thanks to the overwhelming support of our community and region, CATS continues to shatter projections and surpass expectations.”

LYNX is more than a convenient way to get around Charlotte.  It has also proven to be an important stimulus to the local economy.  Private development investment along the line has topped $1.86 billion.  Property values in the corridor have grown by 52 percent since 2000, compared to the countywide average increase of 40 percent in the same time period.

James Mathis of Charlotte Center City Partners says his district has experienced this economic benefit first-hand.  “The LYNX Blue Line has been and will continue to be the driver for the redevelopment of Historic South End.  The South End district is welcoming 1,455 new residential apartment units to the neighborhood over the next two years and I am positive the light rail was the catalyst.  We are a better neighborhood with this wonderful infrastructure, thanks to the leadership that made it happen.”

The business community has also seen the positive impacts of light rail on their bottom lines.  “We’ve seen an increase in foot traffic as commuters come in for coffee and breakfast in the morning and end their day by picking up groceries for dinner,” said Chuck Richards of Reid’s Fine Foods on 7th Street.  “We see more customers who ride the light rail Uptown for special events, and Seventh Street Station is a convenient stop for popular attractions and lunch at Reid’s.”

For more information about CATS and its services, log onto www.ridetransit.org or call 704-336-RIDE.