Expect possible delays and detours due to changing road conditions from winter weather within our service area.
The Gold Line streetcar is a 10-mile, 37-stop public transportation system that is being built in phases. The line is part of the 2023 Transit Corridor System Plan. The full streetcar line will connect to all current and future rapid transit lines, including:
The current planning phase of the Gold Line Extension proposes to include:
- Extension of the system by six miles - Up to 17 additional stations - Key connections to Eastland Community Transit Center and Rosa Parks Community Transit Center - Public Art at streetcar stops in the east and west corridors
The Gold Line streetcar was reimagined from Charlotte’s original Charlotte Trolley, which began operation on May 18, 1891, and ran through March 14, 1938. Charlotte Trolley service re-emerged on August 30, 1996, for a 6-month trial period before ending service in February 1997.
After a new bridge was completed over Stonewall Street, service commenced between Atherton Mill in the South End and 9th Street Uptown in June 2004. At that time, CATS purchased three replica trolleys like number 85, an original Charlotte car dating from the 1920s.
When the Blue Line began light rail service in 2008, streetcar service was discontinued until Phase 1 of the Gold Line streetcar construction was completed and opened for service.
Phase 1 of the Gold Line streetcar opened in 2015 to ridership above projections. The 1.5-mile route from Center City served the Charlotte Transportation Center, CPCC and Novant Hospital across six stops while connecting riders to the Blue Line light rail.
Phase 2 extended the Gold Line by 2 miles to the west, from the Charlotte Transportation Center to Johnson C. Smith University in Historic West End, and by a half-mile to the east through the Elizabeth Neighborhood to Sunnyside Avenue. Phase 2 provided modern streetcar vehicles and included 11 additional transit stops to the growing streetcar system, linking east and west neighborhoods to Uptown.
Want to learn about riding the Gold Line? Visit Gold Line Streetcar page.
We want to hear from you! Join the next phase of the Gold Line conversations through these public meetings:
Pop-up MeetingsNovember 18, 2024 | 3:30-5:00 p.m. Plaza-Central Bus Stop ( at Thomas Ave.) November 19, 2024 | 5:00-6:30 p.m. Food Lion - 2123 Beatties Ford Road November 20, 2024 | 3:30-5:00 p.m. Rosa Parks Transit Center November 21, 2024 | 3:30-5:00 p.m. Eastland Transit Center
Email: catsgoldline@publicinput.com
Contact Number: 704-461-4441 Project Code: 1761
Mail: Charlotte Area Transit System C/O Mr. James Fatula 600 E 4th St., 14th Floor Charlotte, NC 28202
Rider’s Alerts: Subscribe Gold Line Phase 3 - PublicInput
Gold Line Phase 3 Fact Sheet(PDF, 1MB) Hoja informativa de la fase 3 de la Línea Dorada(PDF, 1MB)