CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- After weeks of frequent riders telling transit leaders they haven't noticed any extra security in the aftermath of the light rail stabbing, we're finally getting a better idea of when CATS will roll out additional officers.
The third-party security group CATS uses is now fully staffed to patrol the Blue Line. Twenty off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers will work them to help increase visibility. Starting next week, CATS leaders will roll out security teams on bikes and utility task vehicles.
"Having safe transportation is absolutely essential to any city that's going to grow or continue to grow like we are," said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.
It's one of the first times we've heard from the mayor since Iryna Zarutska's murder gained national attention.
"We are going to try to increase our communication with all of you guys," said Lyles.
She led Wednesday night's Metropolitan Transit Commission meeting, where CATS leaders gave more concrete details on when and how they're planning to increase security.
"The assigned officer for the Blue Line, there are no vacancies there," said interim CEO Brent Cagle. "In addition to that, we have 800 hours a week of additional CMPD officers patrolling the blue line."
For the frequent riders saying they haven't noticed extra security, Cagle hopes this will change that.
"They stay mobile," he said. "You may not see them every day, but you will be seeing them routinely."
Mecklenburg County leaders also used this meeting to try to push forward the sales tax initiative on the November ballot to fund transportation projects, noting the revenue may even help with safety.
"Things have been floated about maybe even CATS having its own sworn force," said City Manager Marcus Jones. "Those are things we're seeing across the country and why not here in Charlotte? So absolutely, positively, the one-cent sales tax provides additional resources for safety."
Another big topic of conversation is how to make sure people are paying to ride.
CATS officials have given out more than 1,500 fare evasion citations so far this year. They're currently meeting with vendors and working on the final engineering to install ticket validators. It's unclear how much that will cost and when it could happen.
CATS sees rider dip
Cagle reported that the transit system overall saw a decline in ridership in August. The biggest year-over-year drop wasn't from rail in the aftermath of Zarustka's murder, but from the bus system at 6.6 percent.
He reported a 2 percent drop on rail, with the Gold Line streetcar steady from 2024. There was an increase in the Express buses, and Cagle said the newly implemented microtransit service in north Mecklenburg was "steady and strong."
On-time service was higher in August since CATS began reporting monthly data to the MTC, with an 83.8 percent overall on-time performance.
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