3 easy CATS routes you should definitely be using

If you don’t regularly use public transportation, the whole process can be a little intimidating.

What time will the bus come? Where do I buy a pass? Where do I hop off?

Fear public transportation no more. We are breaking down three of the easiest Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) routes so you can start riding around the Queen City like the boss that you are.

Why? Because riding public transit isn’t just good for you – it’s good for everyone.

Gold Rush

Literally, how do I ride it?
With free fare and its central route, anyone can ride the Gold Rush like a pro. Just don’t try to ride it on the weekends. Scope out your stop on the map below and await your chariot.

The route
The Gold Rush Red Line provides service from the Charlotte Transportation Center (in Center City) to Johnson C. Smith University. The vehicle looks like a trolley, which scores this route major cool points.

The cost
It’s completely free. No pass needed.

The schedule
This route is available Monday-Friday from 7:34 a.m. – 5:23 p.m., with buses coming every 15 minutes.

Pro tip
By learning how to use the Gold Rush Red Line (free), LYNX Blue Line (more details below), and the CityLYNX Gold Line (free), you can comfortably make your way to all four Uptown Wards – no parking required. This is a powerful combination, people.

Potential destinations

• The Square
• Johnson C. Smith University
• Johnson & Wales University
• Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
• Time Warner Cable Arena
• If you live in Third or Fourth Ward, this is such an easy way to make your way in or out of Uptown. Lucky you.

LYNX Blue Line

Literally, how do I ride it?
You can purchase your ticket at each station before you get on, and you can use your debit or credit card or cash.

The route
The LYNX Blue Line runs from I-485 at South Boulevard to 7th Street in Uptown Charlotte. The line includes 15 stations.

The cost
A round trip ticket on the LYNX Blue Line is just $4.40. Day and weekly passes are available. Senior citizens and youth (grades K-12) can ride at a discounted rate with valid Medicare card or school or transit ID.

The schedule
This route is available Monday-Friday from 5:15 a.m. – 1:56 a.m. and service is available every 10 minutes during rush hour and every 15 minutes during non-peak hours. Weekend service operates every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes during the late night hours.

Pro tip
There are seven park and ride stations located along the LYNX Blue Line. The parking is free and then you don’t have to worry about finding parking in Uptown or navigating those tricky one-way streets.

Potential destinations

• Bank of America Stadium
• Time Warner Cable Arena
• Discovery Place
• Mint Museum Uptown
• The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
• Atherton Mill and Market
• Historic South End shops and restaurants

Local Route 6 – Kings Drive (Bus)

Literally, how do I ride it? 
Here’s one quick, easy way to get started. We bought a 10-ride bus pass ($22) at Harris Teeter Uptown on 6th (all locations here) because we didn’t want to feel rushed while boarding the bus. It’s an easy way to grab a pass during other errands – and the pass says it expires 2024 so there’s plenty of time to use it. Here’s the script of our conversation so you can use the right bus lingo:

• Me: “I’d like to buy a bus pass, please.”
• Very Nice Harris Teeter Employee: “Which one?”
• Me: “Um, for the Local?”
• Very Nice Harris Teeter Employee: “Okay, weekly or 10-ride?”
• Me: “10-ride.”

We wanted to test out the ride from Metropolitan to Dilworth. We parked at Wendy’s like newbs but this sign and common sense indicate that you should park somewhere in the vicinity of the Metropolitan parking deck, or anywhere that’s approved public parking. We waited at the stop next to West Elm.

We tried to get in the back entrance of the bus and were swiftly told to go to the front door. Whoops. To be fair, some transit systems do have ticket scanners in the back entrances. But still, lesson learned.

We made our way down Kings, past Levine Children’s Hospital, and circled around to East. Stop requested, by pulling the cord, and off we hopped right in front of Starbucks. Success, and no parking lot to deal with.

If you’re new to the bus, I recommend some solo exploration so you can get a feel for the stops and get comfortable before you depend on it for commuting or getting anywhere on time.

The route
This route starts at the Charlotte Transportation Center and ends at Carolinas Medical Center. The route goes through the neighborhoods of Dilworth and Cherry. Map:

The cost
A one ride ticket is just $2.20 and a one day unlimited pass is just $6.60. 10-ride tickets, weekly and monthly passes are also available. You can pay on the bus with cash, but have the exact fare.  The fareboxes and drivers can’t make change.

The schedule
This route is available Monday-Friday from 5:22 a.m. – 12:35 a.m., Saturday from 6:00 a.m. – 12:57 a.m. and Sunday from 6:10 a.m. – 12:33 a.m. Buses come every 20 minutes M-F and every 45 minutes to an hour on the weekends.

Pro tip
If you ride on the weekends, remember this route runs every 45 minutes on Saturday and hourly on Sunday.

Potential destinations

• Carolinas Medical Center
• Metropolitan, home to Target, BJs, Vivace, Hickory Tavern, Trader Joe’s and more.
• Freedom Park
• East Blvd/Kenilworth area

Up your public transportation game even more with the CATS Real Time app for real time info on bus and rail services.

(Note: This content was co-created with CATS. Cristina Wilson and Lizzy Sirkin also contributed to this story.)