Charlotte Transit Seeks $10M to Curb Fare Evasion

CATS aims to hire staff to enforce fare payments on light rail and buses.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:25pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of transit passes, a fare box, and a ticket machine arranged on a clean, monochromatic background, conveying the abstract concepts of public transit finance and fare enforcement.A conceptual still life highlighting the financial challenges of public transit fare collection.Charlotte Today

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is requesting $10 million in funding to hire additional personnel to monitor fare payment on the city's light rail and bus routes. According to CATS, nearly half of all transit riders are currently not paying their fares, resulting in significant revenue losses for the system.

Why it matters

Fare evasion is a growing problem for public transit agencies nationwide, costing millions in lost revenue. CATS' move to crack down on non-payment aims to improve the system's financial sustainability and ensure equitable access for all riders.

The details

CATS officials say the $10 million would fund the hiring of fare inspectors and other staff to verify that passengers have valid tickets or passes. The transit agency estimates that nearly 50% of light rail and bus riders are currently not paying their fares, a figure that has risen in recent years.

  • CATS is requesting the $10 million budget increase for the upcoming 2027 fiscal year.
  • Fare evasion on CATS' system has been an ongoing issue, with rates climbing in the past 3-4 years.

The players

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)

The public transportation agency serving the Charlotte metropolitan area, operating a network of light rail, buses, and other transit services.

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What they’re saying

“Fare evasion is a serious problem that we can no longer ignore. We need to take action to protect the integrity of our transit system and ensure all riders are paying their fair share.”

— John Lewis, CEO, Charlotte Area Transit System

What’s next

CATS will present its $10 million budget request to the Charlotte City Council in the coming months as part of the city's annual budget process.

The takeaway

Fare evasion is an increasingly common challenge for public transit agencies nationwide, and CATS' push to crack down on non-payment reflects a broader effort to maintain the financial viability of Charlotte's transit system.