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.