The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has stepped up its game by participating in Rail Safety Week, a national effort dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of rail safety from yesterday until Sunday. As reported on the City of Charlotte government website, the several days-long event is packed with educational efforts aimed at preventing the accidents that occur all too often around railways and track crossings.
Residents, commuters, and the greater Charlotte community have been given a rallying call to join in the safety-focused festivities. CATS is tapping into the social media sphere with traffic on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube, providing safety tips, updates, and chances to engage directly with the system's safety initiatives. Each day of the week has been earmarked with a specific theme, starting with "Stop Track Tragedies" on Monday, where CATS staff distributed educational materials and free swag at various stations.
As part of "Operation Clear Tracks" today, CATS showcased their security personnel and safety procedures unique to the rail system. Then on "Crossing Safety" Wednesday, the staff spread the word on the safest ways to navigate crossings and report concerns through the CATS-Pass app. Continuing the momentum, Thursday's "Transit Rail Safety" will encourage safe behaviors among riders and honor the unsung heroes who maintain these standards.
Lastly, the week will culminate in a "RED OUT!" on Friday, where CATS personnel will don red in a show of solidarity for rail safety. They're inviting everyone in and around Charlotte to do the same, in an effort to paint the town red, quite literally, for a good cause.
