The Charlotte Area Transit System will start Game Day Express service for Carolina Panthers home games starting Sunday, Sept. 13, when the team plays the Chicago Bears. CATS teamed up with Tepper Sports & Entertainment to bring these extra express bus routes to fans.
Three existing routes will grow bigger: 61x Arboretum Express, 64x Independence Boulevard Express, and Route 177 North Meck Connector. Route 177 gets a sneak peek before its official debut on Oct. 5.
Buses depart from eight Park & Ride spots scattered across Mecklenburg County. Riders can catch them at Matthews-Independence Pointe Parkway, Davidson Gateway, Cornelius, Northcross, Huntersville Gateway, Waverly, Arboretum, and Strawberry Hill.
“The Game Day Express gives our community a faster, easier way to get uptown on game days,” said Interim CATS CEO Brent Cagle in a statement, per CharlotteNC.gov. “By reducing congestion and expanding services aligned with the 2055 Transit System Plan, we’re making more express travel possible for customers across the region, including Matthews and North Charlotte.”
Service begins 2.5 hours before kickoff. Three buses leave every 30 minutes. For 1 p.m. games, they roll out at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. Return trips head back 30 minutes after the game wraps at 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.
Passengers board on Brevard Street between 3rd Street and Brooklyn Village Avenue in Uptown, just blocks from Bank of America Stadium. Officials picked this spot to keep traffic flowing smoothly on Graham, Church, Mint, and Morehead Streets.
Tickets run $3 each way or $6.60 for a day pass. Fans purchase fares through the CATS-Pass app.
“As we continue to implement our findings from the ongoing traffic study, we’re excited to work together with CATS to offer our fans another transportation option to and from Bank of America Stadium on gamedays,” said Eric Sudol, Chief Revenue Officer at TSE, in a statement, according to Panthers.com.
CATS worked with CMPD, CDOT, and Charlotte Center City Partners to study traffic jams around the stadium. New traffic patterns on Morehead and Church Streets take effect for games this season.
CATS will operate express service for all Sunday home football games this season. Schedules get posted one week before each game.