The new section of the CATS Light Rail will open on Friday, March 16th, 2018, connecting UNC Charlotte, NoDa and more, with Center City and the South End.
There will be celebrations at several stations during the opening week. Here’s a list of the celebrations, as well as a rundown of the new stations.
Visit CATS for information on how to ride the light rail, fares and schedules.
Opening Celebrations at Blue Line Extension of the Light Rail
NoDa Light Rail Opening Celebration
Friday, March 16
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Station: 36th Street Station
Festivities include free coffee and pastries courtesy of Smelly Cat Coffee, Amelie’s and Novel NoDa. Live music starting at 6 p.m. from See Water and Swim in the Wild. Visits from Hugo the Hornet and the Honeybees. Food trucks and brewery tents. See all details here.
Free taco at Sabor NoDa
Friday, March 16
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sabor Latin Street Grill, 3205 North Davidson Street
Station: 36th Street Station
Bring your LYNX ticket to Sabor (NoDa location only) and get a FREE taco. No purchase necessary. Follow above link for details.
Free coffee and membership pins at Subsecreto
Friday, March 16
325 East 9th Street
Station: 9th Street Station
Free membership pins to the first 31 customers who show their light rail ticket. Free 8-oz batch/drip coffee from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. $10 membership pins all day. The membership is not required, but it gets you 10% off coffee, forever. It normally costs $13.
University City Station Job Fair
Friday, March 16
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Station: University City Boulevard Station: Camino Community Center
University City Station Job Fair: Job seekers are encouraged to attend a free job fair at Camino Community Center, 133 Stetson Drive, located near University City Boulevard LYNX light rail station. The event is organized by City of Charlotte, University City Partners and Camino Community Center. Registration is not required, but encouraged. More details can be found here.
Kids Ride That Train
March 17
9 – 11 a.m.
Station: JW Clay Boulevard Station
Adults with young children can visit the JW Clay Boulevard Station for what might be their child’s first light rail ride. Children under age 12 will get a free train ticket. In addition to appearances by Norm the Niner, the Chick-fil-A cow and Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Lug Nut, children can receive free light rail buttons, train whistles, healthy snacks from Carolinas HealthCare System, face-paintings, balloon animals, Pelicans snow cones and more. Panera Bread will provide free coffee for adults.
Coffee and Donuts with Police Officers
March 19
7:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Station: University City Boulevard Station
Share Coffee and Donuts with Local Police Officers: University City residents and commuters can stop by the University City Boulevard Transit Station and enjoy a cup of coffee and donuts with officers from the University City Division. Officers will distribute free copies of University City Partner’s new Mobility Map for navigating one’s way around University City on transit, bus, bike share, car share and campus shuttles.
University City Small Business Networking
March 20
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Station: University City Boulevard Station: Camino Community Center
University City Small Business Networking: Join University City Partners for free breakfast, networking and the latest news about LYNX-related business development and Charlotte’s small-business resources at Camino Community Center, 133 Stetson Drive. Attendees can pick-up a copy of the UCP Mobility Map for getting around the University City business district. Questions, contact Darlene Heater at dheater@universitycitypartners.org.
New Stations on Blue Line Extension of Light Rail
UNC Charlotte – Main Station
9025 Cameron Blvd
JW Clay Boulevard Station
9048 N. Tryon Street
Parking deck with 800 spaces
McCullough Station
8312 N. Tryon Street
University City Blvd Station
7205 N. Tryon Street
Parking deck with 1513 spaces
Tom Hunter Station
6505 N. Tryon Street
Old Concord Station
5442 N. Tryon Street
Surface parking
Sugar Creek Station
644 E. Sugar Creek Rd
Parking deck with 632 spaces
36th Street Station
434 E. 36th Street
25th Street Station
2227 N. Brevard Street
Parkwood Station
327 Parkwood Ave
9th Street Station
237 E. 9th Street
Light Rail Fare Information
One Way Ticket: $2.20 for an adult. Senior/disabled riders and Student Youth: $1.10.
Round Trip pass: $4.40. Senior/disabled riders and Student Youth: $2.20.
One-Day Unlimited Rides: $6.50.
Weekly Unlimited Rides: $30.80.
Monthly Unlimited Rides: $88. Senior/disabled riders: $44.
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 
alice says
i can’t find anywhere on the lynx site how much they’re charging for parking at the stations that have parking spaces.
Jody Mace says
Alice, I can’t either. I’ll try to get that information from CATS.
Vimby says
Parking at the train stations has always been for free. Just don’t leave any valuables in the car.
Momlopo says
What age constitutes being ‘senior’?
Jody Mace says
62+
Jody Mace says
It looks like the parking decks will be $10 for a day of parking; however as of yesterday they were still free. The surface parking lots will be free.