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Charlotte city buses and trains go fare-free for 'Try Transit Week'

A CATS bus.
Charlotte Area Transit System
The Charlotte Area Public Transit system will go fare-free the week of Oct. 6, 2024.

Charlotte city buses and trains will be free from Sunday, Oct. 6 through Saturday, Oct. 12 as the city celebrates "Customer Appreciation and Try Transit Week."

In addition, CATS will host a series of special events throughout the week. They include:

  • Monday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. — Grand opening event at Veterans Park in Mint Hill for a new Special Transportation Service serving disabled people in Mint Hill.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 8, 5:45 a.m. — CATS staff will hand out free coffee throughout the morning at the Matthews Independence Pointe Park and Ride.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 9, all day — Transit riders can search for five golden tickets hidden along the Blue Line light rail with hints posted on the CATS' Instagram and X pages. Riders who find the tickets and post a picture on social media win a prize.
  • Thursday, Oct. 10, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. — Meet the team planning the Red Line light rail to northern Mecklenburg County and learn more about the project at the David B. Waymer Recreation Center in Huntersville.
  • Friday, Oct. 11, all day — CATS' "Surprise Squad" will hand out free swag at bus shelters around Mecklenburg County.

Bus and train riders will have a chance to win a year of free rides on Charlotte's public transit system. Riders can enter their name into the giveaway by downloading the CATS-Pass app on any mobile device and creating an account.

The giveaway will open on the CATS-Pass app at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 6 and close at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 12. Riders can also complete a physical entry form at the Charlotte Transportation Center Ticket Office. The winner will be notified on Oct. 16.