CATS' "systemic failures" led to light rail stabbing, feds say
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Federal Transit Administration Administrator Marc Molinaro is blaming "systemic failures" within the Charlotte transit system for Iryna Zarutska's death, as a new report says the rate of crimes against CATS' passengers is now three times the national average.
Why it matters: A reliable public transit system is crucial for people to reach jobs, health care and climb up the economic ladder. But Charlotte risks losing more riders' support and federal dollars if it doesn't address safety concerns.
By the numbers: Assaults on CATS workers reached five times the national average in 2025, according to data from the National Transit Database, cited in the FTA audit.
- That's a stark difference from the two years before 2025, when the rate was below the nationwide level, per the report.
Catch up quick: The FTA launched an investigation into CATS on Sept. 10 following the Aug. 22 fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Zarutska on the light rail. The findings were released on Monday.
- A CATS representative did not respond to a request for comment by press time. Brent Cagle has served as interim CEO, charged with reviving CATS following former CEO John Lewis' resignation, since late 2022.
What's inside: The FTA laid out 18 instances of CATS failing to meet federal safety mandates. CATS must address the errors and provide proof to the administration within 30 days, or risk losing federal funding.
- For one, CATS was called out for not assessing the risk of assaults on transit workers, as is required.
- It's also unclear whether CATS is training all its workers in de-escalation.
The audit additionally highlights some changes CATS has already made.
- For example, in October 2025, CATS forced businesses at the Charlotte Transit Center to close so it could limit access to ticketed customers. Security was finding it increasingly difficult to keep outside criminal activity from coming inside the center, the audit describes.
- CATS representatives also told the FTA it's planning to clearly mark the fare zone at the CTC with paint and install ticket vending machines.
- However, CATS has not been measuring the effectiveness of preventive policies such as these, the FTA found.
Also, as part of the report, the FTA made six non-mandatory recommendations to CATS, including ensuring employees know how to file reports. The FTA found that no CATS workers have internally filed an assault since 2022.
Between the lines: A Democratic-led city in a purple state, Charlotte has been under heightened scrutiny by the Trump administration and state Republicans since the Aug. 22 stabbing.
- The state House is calling on city leaders to testify in Raleigh next week about Charlotte's public safety, particularly on the light rail.
- A Congressional committee staged a high-profile oversight committee in town after the light rail stabbing. Multiple probes have been launched into the transit agency, from the Republican state auditor to the U.S. DOT.
What's next: Last year, Mecklenburg County residents voted 52-48 on a referendum to add a penny to the sales tax for transit. With the money, a new regional transit authority may establish a dedicated transit police force to improve safety.