Customer Appreciation and Try Transit Week

CATS Customer appreciation and try transit week october 6 through 12, 2024

CATS is moving forward to a bright future, and it all begins with the reason our system exists: you! We have been hard at work working to make improvements to the system and as part of this we are launching our  Commitment To The Community.  As a part of CATS’ commitment to the community, we're excited to show our appreciation for existing customers while also welcoming new community members into our family of riders by inviting them to take a trip on us!

Beginning Sunday, October 6, enjoy fare-free rides on CATS services for the entire week, along with fun activities, community events and giveaways tailored just for you. 

All week events

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Ride Free All Week 

CATS is excited to offer fare-free transportation for an entire week on CATS services to celebrate our amazing riders and invite new community members to try our system free of charge.


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Win a Year of Free Fare

Enter to win a year of free rides by downloading the CATS-Pass app on any mobile device. Create an account and enter your contact information into the Giveaway Banner at the top of the page. The giveaway will open on the CATS-Pass app at 12:01 a.m. on October 6 and close at 11:59 p.m. on October 12.

Riders can also enter by completing a physical copy of the entry form at the Charlotte Transportation Center Ticket Office during business hours on October 6-12, 2024. The winner will be notified by Wednesday, October 16. One entry per person. Learn more about the Rules and Regulations: Official Giveaway Rules and Regulations.


Daily events and celebrations

Join CATS for scheduled and surprise events daily thank riders and introduce system-wide enhancements and new services. We look forward to engaging with and celebrating you all week.

Monday, October 7: STS+ Grand Opening Event

Join CATS executive leadership and distinguished guests at 11 a.m. at Veteran’s Park in Mint Hill to launch STS+, a new CATS’ STS service in Mint Hill.

Location: 8850 Fairview Rd., Mint Hill, NC 28227

Time: 11 a.m.

Tuesday, October 8: Coffee on CATS

Celebrate the reopening of the Independence Boulevard Busway with “Coffee on CATS.” We’ll be at the Matthews Independence Pointe Park and Ride all morning, serving free coffee and offering a hassle-free commute via the express lane.

Location: 9614 Independence Point Pkwy., Matthews, NC 28105

Time: 5:45 a.m. – Last Morning Express Bus Departs

Wednesday, October 9: The System Goes Social

Participate in a scavenger hunt along the Blue Line to find CATS’ golden ticket. We’ve hidden five gold tickets at various stops along the light rail and rail trail and will share clues about where the tickets are hidden on Instagram and X beginning at 12 p.m. The first rider to find each ticket and share a photo with it on social media will receive a prize. To be eligible to win, participants must tag CATS and use the following hashtags: #RideCATS (our primary) and #CATSCustomerAppreciation. Limit of one prize per rider.

Check out CATS' new "Selfie Train," launching on the Gold Line, for fun photo opportunities. Hop aboard and snap some selfies for your chance to be featured on our social media.

Thursday, October 10: Red Line Public Engagement Event

Come out and join us as we engage with communities on the Red Line! Be sure to visit the Appreciation Station during the Red Line community meeting at the David B. Waymer Recreation Center and learn more about the future of the commuter rail.

There will be a brief presentation at the beginning of the open house, followed by the opportunity to talk one-on-one with project staff. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the presentation starts at 6 p.m.

Location: 14008 Holbrooks Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078

Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 11: Surprise Squad

Be on the lookout for our “Surprise Squad,” handing out free swag at various bus shelters across CATS service area. Follow along on social media to see where the journey takes us throughout the day.

Saturday, October 12: Family Fun with Transit

Be sure to check out all the fun-filled family activities happening in our region this day and be sure to use CATS to get there – including using the CATS Rail Trail which was just re-opened this week!

CATS Works for You

Exciting developments are on the horizon for the future of public transit in the Charlotte region, and this week marks just the beginning. We’re thrilled to have you with us as we embark on this journey toward a more connected and sustainable future. Together, let's celebrate the amazing customers and communities who make this future possible!

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