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

JOIN CATS FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THE SOUTH BOULEVARD LIGHT RAIL FACILITY

Charlotte, N.C., June 19, 2007  - Join the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) for a look inside the new South Boulevard Light Rail Facility and the LYNX Blue line rail cars on Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. until noon.  Mecklenburg Chair of the County Commission Jennifer Roberts, District 1 Charlotte City Council Member Patsy Kinsey and CATS Chief Executive Officer Ron Tober will officially open the facility at 10 a.m.  Public parking is available at the South Tryon Bus Facility, located at 3145 South Tryon Street.  Shuttle buses will transport guests to and from the light rail facility nearby.

“We want the community to come out and see the LYNX light rail vehicles, walk through the cars and learn how they operate,” said Ron Tober, CATS Chief Executive Officer.  “Visitors will also get to see how the trains are maintained and other operational features at this new site.”

The South Boulevard Light Rail Facility is approximately 92,000 square feet.  The building houses the rail maintenance and operations staff, the Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC) and Bus Operations Control Center (BOCC).  The track in the rail yard, which stores the 16 LYNX Blue Line vehicles, is 2.5 miles and has 5,200 ties. 

To learn more about the LYNX Blue Line and CATS rapid transit planning, visit www.ridetransit.org.

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.