August 28, 2009

Charlotte, NC -- As you head to the Carolina Panthers home game against the Baltimore Ravens this Saturday, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) wants to remind you that fare zones will be in effect. Staff will be out the I-485/South Boulevard Station, Stonewall Street Station, Third Street Station and the CTC/Arena Station checking passes and keeping the crowds moving as fans head to and from the stadium.

Fare zone areas are delineated on LYNX platforms by blue lines and customers within a fare zone must possess a valid transit pass/ticket and present proof-of-payment when requested. Customers found without a valid pass or an expired pass within the fare zone will be given the opportunity to purchase a ticket or move out of the fare zone. Failure to do so may result in a $50 civil citation.

 If a customer indicates that the Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) is not working, the Fare Inspectors and Police will be able to confirm when TVMs are not operational. "CATS' LYNX system operates on a "proof-of-payment" fare collection system. Customers should remember to keep their tickets handy until exiting to their destination" said Marvin Bohon, Interim Manager of Safety and Security.

Each LYNX Station has at least two TVMs, typically one on each platform. If a TVM is not working, customers are instructed to use the other TVM to purchase a ticket regardless of which direction they are heading.  To ensure you arrive at your destination on time please arrive at a LYNX station early enough to purchase a ticket.

In addition to the one-way and round-trip tickets sold at TVMs, customers can also purchase seven-day passes at TVMs. Weekly and monthly passes are available at many convenient locations including the Charlotte Transportation Center, Harris Teeter and Food Lion Grocery Stores and many employers in the Uptown area.

Ten Ride Passes are not valid on the LYNX Blue Line.

To learn more about CATS and its services, call 704-336-RIDE (7433) or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org.