Transit IDs

A Transit ID enables people 62 years and up, those with disabilities, students and children to ride CATS fixed route bus and light rail service at reduced rates. The IDs are made at the Charlotte Transportation Center, located at 310 East Trade Street, Monday through Friday, in Pavilion A from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The cost of the ID is $1.00.

CATS offers the following types of Transit IDs:

Senior Citizen Transit Issued ID

Senior ID. People aged 62 or older verified by photo ID to include a Medicare card (not Medicaid), birth certificate, driver’s license, or passport. If proof of age is a driver’s license or passport, no additional proof of identity is needed. If a Medicare card or birth certificate is presented as proof of age, then proof of identity is needed. Other acceptable documents for proof of identity include employment card w/photo, union card w/photo, or government-issued photo ID. 

CATS issued Student transit ID

STUDENT ID. Students in enrolled in grades 6-12 accompanied by a parent or guardian may purchase a student ID by bringing a current progress report, current report card, or current year school ID to the Charlotte Transportation Center. A student ID allows you to ride CATS fixed route services at 1/2 price.

CATS issued Child transit ID

Child ID. Children must be enrolled in grades K-5 accompanied by a parent or guardian.

CATS issued ADA transit ID

Disabled ID. A customer may request a disabled ID if they have a valid Medicare card or they have their doctor complete a CATS certificate of Disability Form. Forms are available at the Transportation Center or you can download the form(PDF, 53KB). Acceptable forms of identification when obtaining the Disabled\Handicap ID along with a completed Certificate of Disability includes:

  • Employment ID with photo
  • Drivers license
  • Passport
  • Government issued photo ID
  • Union card with photo

Customers purchasing and riding with a Senior/ADA monthly pass, ADA 10 ride ticket or a senior ticket issued from a LYNX Ticket Vending Machine must be prepared to provide a valid Medicare card or Transit ID. Customers riding with a valid Transit ID need to show it to the bus operator when boarding and may be asked to show it to a LYNX fare inspector or police officer. Riders with Medicare cards only just need to show their card to ride at a reduced rate.

Back to top