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

NEW SMOKING POLICY BEGINS AT TRANSPORTATION CENTER

Charlotte, N.C., August 18, 2009 - A new smoking policy is now in effect at the Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC), located at 310 East Trade Street.  Customers using the CTC will now be allowed to only smoke in designated areas.  All other areas of the CTC will be nonsmoking.
The smoking areas include Trade Street near the bus shelter and along Brevard Street on the north side of the entrance doors.  Look for the signs indicating you can smoke in these locations.

Transit Support Services Director John Trunk said litter from cigarette butts is an issue at bus bays and shelters.  "By implementing assigned smoking areas we are improving the cleanliness of the CTC for our customers and employees," said Trunk. 

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Safety and Security staff will issue advisory warnings for the first 30 days to help customers adapt to this change.  Smoking in non-designated areas could result in a $50 civil citation.
 
To learn more about CATS and its services, call 704-336-RIDE (7433) or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org.