Charlotte Area Transit System is asking riders to speak up about a sweeping Fare Modernization Program that would change how people pay, and how much they pay, to ride. The public comment window runs through May 7, and the Metropolitan Transit Commission will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on May 7 at the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Government Center. If the plan gets the green light, riders would see contactless tap payments, smart cards, fare capping and new transfer rules across buses, light rail and the streetcar.
CATS says the program would let riders "Tap and Go" with contactless bank cards and mobile wallets, "Scan and Go" with the CATS‑Pass app, and pick up reloadable smart cards at retailers and at the Charlotte Transportation Center. Legacy magnetic‑stripe passes and 10‑ride tickets would be phased out as the agency shifts to electronic fare media, part of a Comprehensive Fare Study that began in May 2024, according to the CATS Fare Modernization Program.
What Riders Will Notice
Under the proposal, CATS would retire many existing pass products and move to fare capping, so local full‑fare riders would never be charged more than $6.60 per day, $30.90 per week or $88 per month. The plan also calls for a new electronic two‑hour pass that would replace paper transfers. Streetcar customers would begin paying the local fare for trips, and express‑plus pricing would be adjusted to line up more closely with local fares, according to the Fare Modernization StoryMap.
Why It Matters
CATS presents fare capping as an equity tool, noting that "fare capping also promotes equity," since riders who cannot afford to buy a monthly pass upfront would still end up with the same cost protections as those who can. At the same time, shifting much of the system to electronic accounts raises questions about how cash‑reliant customers will navigate the changes and about the extra steps required for people who qualify for reduced‑fare programs. The timing is significant, as the agency works to rebuild rider confidence after a stretch of scrutiny over service and safety, as reported by Axios.
How to Weigh In
The public comment period runs from April 1 through May 7. CATS is collecting feedback through an online comment form, email, mailed letters and a hotline, and the MTC public hearing on May 7 will take verbal testimony and be live‑streamed. Riders can fill out the online comment form or sign up to speak using the online speaker sign‑up form. The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Conference Room 267 at the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Government Center, and the meeting will stream on CATS' YouTube channel.
If adopted, the changes would roll out in phases and reshape how riders pay across bus, light rail and streetcar. CATS says the timeline and launch details will depend on procurement and testing, and agency officials plan to brief the Metropolitan Transit Commission after the public comment period closes.
