CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Ridership was down in March for both rail lines in the Charlotte Area Transit System, despite consistencies for uptown sporting events.
In a report from Interim CEO Brent Cagle Wednesday, the Blue Line saw a 9.4 decrease compared to March 2025 and the Gold Line declined even further year over year, by 23 percent.
Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority member Clayton Sealey says as a regular light rail user, he has not noticed a significant drop in riders, especially during commuter times.
“It can get uncomfortable,” Sealey said of the crowded train cars.
Cagle noted that enhanced fare enforcement typically leads to a decline in ridership. The system implemented such practices last fall in the wake of the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarustksa in August.
“I don’t believe it’s responsible for the entirety of the 9.4 percent,” Cagle explained, noted that non-peak times are where the trend occurred.
Ridership took a 10 percent fall in the first full month following the incident that had led to sweeping local and state ramifications.
Looking into the March data, both the Charlotte Hornets and Charlotte FC had the same number of home games as the previous year – nine and three. However, the Hornets were far more successful this season, and sold out the majority of their games in that period.
Stops for the Blue and Gold lines are adajcent to Spectrum Center.
And the ACC held its men’s basketball tournament both months, with Duke winning both years. But the 2026 championship game had 2,400 more people the the ’25 finale. UNC played just one game this year, compared to three a year ago.
MPTA Board Chair David Howard suggested an uptick may be on the way.
“With gas going up, I may take the bus down here myself,” he said.
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Two board members, including Seeley, shared that they were on the Blue Line during fare checks. Those were positive experiences.
“The second he walked on, he made his presence known in a jovial and efficient manner,” he recalled. “He asked everyone to show their tickets. Every single person did that quickly, and he was on with his job. I thought it was awesome.”
CATS buses saw a 2.5 percent drop from last March; however, local and regional express routes were up 12.3 and 7.1 percent, respectively.
Additionally, the microtransit in north Mecklenburg has been a success. The agency reported a 318 percent increase from the first full month it operated last year, and nearly 7,000 customers used the service in March.
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