CATS Lynx derailment

The Charlotte Area Transit System has terminated Deltrin Harris, who was the transit system's general manager for rail operations.

The Charlotte Area Transit System said Tuesday that the general manager for rail operations, Deltrin Harris, has been placed on administrative leave.WBTV first reported the news. CATS did not disclose the reason. The transit system’s light-rail and streetcar lines have been under scrutiny, due to a May 2022 derailment of a Lynx Blue Line train.

The Metropolitan Transit Commission last month directed the city of Charlotte to hire an outside consultant to investigate the Lynx Blue Line derailment last year. The city has said it won’t do that, and will instead have the federal government speed up an already scheduled audit of the transit agency. That dispute erupted during a meeting Wednesday night, with MTC members and city officials bickering over who has the power to manage the transit system, and even whether the governing board is just a rubber stamp.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles incorrectly said the Metropolitan Transit Commission never asked for a "third party" or a "request for proposal" when asking for a review of the Charlotte Area Transit System.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said a lack of staff inside Charlotte's Rail Operations Control Center has created "nearly overwhelming levels of responsibility" among employees.

The city of Charlotte said it plans to ask the Federal Transit Administration to expedite its review of the Charlotte Area Transit System. The FTA is scheduled to review CATS in 2025.

Charlotte City Manager Marcus Jones said Thursday he was told about the May 2022 derailment of a Lynx Blue Line train at the time — contradicting his earlier statements that he didn’t learn about it until February.

The troubles at the Charlotte Area Transit System continue to grow with revelations of a hidden derailment and lack of maintenance that borders on gross negligence. More on that and the search for accountability.

We don’t know much about what led up to John Lewis’s departure from the Charlotte Area Transit System, but leadership problems don't just vanish. Plus, the latest local schools news.

The Metropolitan Transit Commission last week voted unanimously to launch an outside investigation into the May 2022 derailment of a Lynx Blue Line train. It has the makings of a thorough probe. But will the city of Charlotte do a lackadaisical job?