CATS planners meet UNC Charlotte community at open forum
Posted on 8 May 2008 by Justin Ritchie
Last week, the CATS LYNX Northeast Extension Team met with about 150 UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center to discuss plans and options for the future of light rail on campus.
The northeast extension for the LYNX blue line will have a station on campus near one of the major residential centers. The North Campus residence halls (Laurel, Witherspoon, and Lynch Halls) will all be within a 2–3 minute walk of the station.
I heard a few common questions being asked which mainly centered around the following ideas and responses.
Will CATS have late service on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights?
Likely yes. Trains may leave as late as 2:30 from Uptown on weekends
Will the trains be secure for the students living in the nearby residence halls?
All trains will have security guards on them
What if people want to eat when they get off at the UNC Charlotte light rail station?
The goal is to have passengers off the train and into the many dining options inside UNC Charlotte’s new Student Union within a five minute walk.
Will the station stand out with Charlotte 49er logos or decor?
This depends on what the university is willing to fund and allow
Will rising gas prices lead to more high-volume service?
If gas prices continue to increase and demand for the LYNX South Line grows, the stations on the extension will likely be built to allow three car stops in contrast to the two car stops on the South Line.
pretty cool event justin. i am glad they thought to get real student input. should be pretty sweet to have light rail right on the edge of campus. it will only make ridiculous what is already some pretty incredible growth for the campus and the university area. only wish it could happen sooner. i hope they get moving on both the N and NE lines, at the same time if possible.
This is one of the most exciting things to happen to campus and will change UNCC and Charlotte tremendously when it is implemented. I am just bummed that I will be graduated by the time it comes.