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

SEVERAL SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS COMING IN JULY FOR CATS CUSTOMERS
Schedule changes, fare increase and new weekly pass

Charlotte, N.C., June 18, 2007  - The beginning of July will bring changes to the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) that will improve transit services and make getting around the region easier for customers.

Starting July 1, CATS will retire its 7-day pass and introduce a new weekly pass that is valid Sunday through Saturday.  This change is being done in preparation for the proof-of-payment fare collection system that will be used when the LYNX Blue Line opens later this year.  The new weekly pass will be dated on the front and will be valid on all of CATS services except the STS service..   

Beginning Monday, July 2, customers will see a 10 cent increase in the local bus fare in accordance with CATS fare policy, which calls for a modest increase in fares every two years.  Local fare will go from $1.20 to $1.30.   Express fare will increase from $1.65 to $1.75.  Regional express fare will go up to $2.60 from $2.40.  And, STS fare will increase to $2 from $1.80.  The fare policy allows customers to plan for modest but regular increases in the fares to assist with cost increases in fuel, materials, expanded services, etc.   Additional revenue from the fare increase is estimated at $968,518 in FY2008 and an additional $1.4 million in FY2009.
 
Also on July 2, CATS will make major changes to several of its routes to better serve commuters throughout the Charlotte region. 
Routes 203 University Park and 231 Druid Hills will be replaced by Route 204 LaSalle.  This new route will provide service to Kentucky and Tennessee avenues, and along English Drive and LaSalle Street.  It will continue via Norris and 30th streets to North Tryon and Sugar Creek Road.  Service will operate every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 60 minutes on weeknights and weekends.
 
Two morning trips and two afternoon trips on the 74X Union County Express will be extended to Marshville giving people who live further out and work in Center City Charlotte more transportation options.  Also, an additional morning trip will be added to the schedule, resulting in four morning trips and four afternoon trips.  Funding for the 74X service improvements comes from a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant.
 
The Saturday schedule for Route 77X North Meck Express will be adjusted.  Saturday trips will now only operate between Center City Charlotte and the Northcross Park and Ride lot.  Individuals who wish to continue to Davidson, Cornelius or other parts of Huntersville should use the North Meck Village Rider service.  Service for this new Saturday schedule will operate every 90 minutes. 
 
The alignment for Route 202 Washington Heights will be changed to operate via Booker and Celia avenues to Beatties Ford Road directly to the Rosa Parks Community Transit Center.  It will no longer provide service via Lincoln Heights.  Residents in Lincoln Heights should use the new Route 204 La Salle or Route 26 Oaklawn, which will also be extended to the Rosa Parks Community Transit Center.
 
We're making these service enhancements because we understand the commuting needs of our customers are ever-changing," said Jim Zingale, CATS' Chief Operating Officer.  "Commuters want the most convenient and cost-effective way to get around the region and we're making that happen with these adjustments."
 
For a complete list of schedule changes, visit www.ridetransit.org and click on Route Changes 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.