CATS celebrates LYNX Blue Line anniversary

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) celebrated the one year anniversary of its LYNX Blue Line, North Carolina’s first light rail line, on Monday, Nov. 24.

In addition to providing a convenient form of transportation for the region, LYNX has also proven to be an important stimulus to the local economy, with private development investment along the line topping $1.86 billion.

Property values in the corridor have also grown by 52 percent since 2000, compared to the countywide average increase of 40 percent in the same time period, according to CATS.

“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,” said Keith Parker, CATS’ CEO.