From free holiday bus rides to added security, the Charlotte Area Transit System has put measures in place to help your holiday season go more smoothly when traveling to and from your destinations.

CATS is sharing the holiday spirit with its customers by offering free rides in December on certain buses that are decorated for the holidays. Rides are free ONLY on holiday-themed buses and free transfers will not be provided. The holiday buses will be rotated on routes throughout the system. 

CATS is also committed to making sure your holiday travels are as safe and stress free as possible.

“We look at every way we can protect our riders and our system,” says CATS CEO John Lewis. “We do this through our partnerships with various law enforcement agencies, the thousands of cameras we have throughout our system and the emergency devices and other safety measures we have on every platform and every parking facility.”

Safety measures currently in place, include:

• Blue light emergency phones that connect directly to law enforcement on all LYNX platforms and in all CATS park and ride facilities and transit centers.

• Well-lit bus stops and train stations.

• More than 3,000 cameras systemwide on buses, trains and station platforms.

There are also highly trained plain-clothes and uniformed officers that patrol the entire system including parking decks.

“[Working here] gives me the opportunity to help people, to make a difference,” says Sgt. G. Smith with G4S security. “You get to do a little bit of everything out here.”

Watch the video Crime Doesn't Take a Holiday. Neither Does CATS. to see how the G4S team interacts with thousands of passengers each day.

In addition, CATS empowers you to report any criminal or suspicious activity. You can do this anonymously on the CATS SEESAY MOBILE APP, which is monitored 24/7.

To learn more about CATS, including free holiday bus rides and other transit schedules, visit the CATS website.