Trains will operate seven days a week from 5:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. and the fare will equal the cost of local bus fare. Trains will arrive at stations every 10 minutes during rush hour and every 15 minutes during non-peak hours. The line is scheduled to begin operations in 2018.
Federal Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA):
Federal Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA):
On October 16, 2012, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator Peter Rogoff, City of Charlotte Mayor Foxx, Metropolitan Transit Commission Chair Harold Cogdell, CATS CEO Carolyn Flowers and state and local leaders celebrated the receipt of a Federal Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for the BLE. The FTA FFGA is the means mandated by statute for providing Federal financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. Section 5309 in the amount of $25 million or more for a major capital investment (new starts) project. The Blue Line Extension has an opening service delivery date by March 31, 2018 that is part of this agreement.
Light Rail Stations
The LYNX Blue Line Extension will have eleven light rail stations. Station locations were identified in the Major Investment Study (MIS) completed in 1998 and further refinements in the Preliminary Engineering study phase. These locations are based on access, site characteristics, compatibility with surrounding development, potential development and public comments. All stations will be serviced by CATS' bus network.
All stations will have canopy coverage, covered ticket vending machines (TVMs), system and area maps, train and bus schedules, public art, bicycle storage, benches, trash receptacles and security features.
