Charlotte NC's LYNX Light Rail System
In keeping with Charlotte's cat theme (Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Bobcats, CATS [Charlotte Area Transit System]), the light rail, LYNX has become our new favorite means of transportation in the city! Connectivity is key (hence the name, LYNX) in getting the city's south end transported into the city during rush hours.
In November, 2007, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) began operation of the 9.6-mile LYNX Blue Line light rail, after having been under construction since February, 2005. The LYNX fleet includes sixteen Avanto light rail cars built by Siemens. The line extends from Uptown Charlotte NC, southward to Pineville and runs almost parallel to I-77. Previously used by the Charlotte Trolley, a heritage streetcar operation that also began running in tandem service with the LYNX trains beginning spring 2008, the line brings the suburbs into the city.
This model is patterned by the light rail in Houston, Texas, and has also been ordered by the city of Portland, Oregon. Charlotteans have enthusiastically embraced the light rail after much ado about county expenditures to build the system. This was demonstrated by the opening month’s records of carrying over 9,000 passenger trips per day. CATS projects over 18,000 passenger riders by the year 2025.
Visit Charlotte Center City Partners website for a LYNX interactive map.
Come ride the LYNX today!
There's a new live/work condo right on the line at New Bern Station that you MUST see--so, take the New Bern stop and pop over to 3030 South and check out this one-of-a-kind live/work community in South End Charlotte NC.
Debe, I think this is a good thing. There is a real need to think about going public transportation. I know that Orlando is trying to push the light rail, and it is not easy in this economy
Another envious post both in content and 'curb' appeal
Hi Jon!
We fought this tooth and nail--we didn't want the budget expenditure at all but, last year when gas prices were through the roof, we were all grateful to have it! The city just seems more vibrant with it and access to the city is so much easier from the suburbs now.
Have a great weekend...
Debe, once public transportation comes in like this...the area becomes more of city than suburb. More vibrant is right...Enjoy
Debe, I'm a big fan of public transportation that is planned correctly and in the proper locations. It is expensive, but can really revitalize a city.
I love the Metro in DC, it is very convenient and millions ride it everyday. . I'm glad to see other cities are also gearing up their transportation system
Debe, the big cities that offer these forms of public transportation are helping save energy and I am all for that! I loved traveling the subway systems in NYC and Boston when I visited those cities! With traffic congestion it certainly makes travel easier. Las Vegas has a monorail on the Strip that is a time saver also!
Having mass transit sytems in place do make a place easier to get around. Why bother driving when you can hop the train? It was a saving grace about the DC area!
Debe,
So glad to see what your city is offering. Really nice presentation on your transportation system and can see why you are glad to have it up and running! It sounds like the community is embracing something to help make their life easier.
Debe, When you see these wonderful transportation systems going up, you KNOW the area is growing. I'm not unhappy with our system and use it all the time to go into NYC and back.
Los Angeles is working on extending theirs. And boy do we need it.
Debe,
The guy who headed up your Lynx system is now running the San Antonio transit system. We had him speak at a Rotary Club meeting earlier this month and he talked about the opposition to the system there in Charlotte. But now that the system is up and running, he told how the support of the system is just overwhelming.
We could use a good system. In Texas, the car, or truck, is king. It's going to be a tough sell here to get light rail I think.