LYNX celebrates 1st year, 5 million rides

11.24.2008

Charlotte’s first light-rail line has turned 1 year and 5 million rides old.
The LYNX Blue Line from uptown to south Charlotte celebrated its first anniversary on Nov. 24, with transit CEO Keith Parker praising the line’s successes – daily ridership running 80 percent over projections; no preventable accidents; and trains on time 99.5 percent of the time. Charlotte Area Transit says that the line now averages more than 16,000 riders daily and has carried more than 5 million passengers since its launch.
Those achievements will likely bolster efforts under way to extend the LYNX Blue Line from uptown to University City. Operation of the 11-mile Blue Line Extension (also called the Northeast Corridor) could start as early as 2015 or 2016, if the federal government approves funding.
The current LYNX Blue Line paralleling South Boulevard is more than a convenient way to get around Charlotte, CATS officials say; it has also proven to be an important stimulus to the local economy. Private development investment along the line has topped $1.86 billion. Property values in the corridor have grown by 52 percent since 2000, compared to the countywide average increase of 40 percent in the same time period.
James Mathis of Charlotte Center City Partners says his district has experienced this economic benefit first-hand.
“The LYNX Blue Line has been and will continue to be the driver for the redevelopment of Historic South End. The South End district is welcoming 1,455 new residential apartment units to the neighborhood over the next two years, and I am positive the light rail was the catalyst. We are a better neighborhood with this wonderful infrastructure, thanks to the leadership that made it happen.”
The business community has also seen the positive impacts of light rail on their bottom lines.
“We’ve seen an increase in foot traffic as commuters come in for coffee and breakfast in the morning and end their day by picking up groceries for dinner,” said Chuck Richards of Reid’s Fine Foods on 7th Street. “We see more customers who ride the light rail uptown for special events, and Seventh Street Station is a convenient stop for popular attractions and lunch at Reid’s.”

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information about CATS and its services, log onto www.ridetransit.org or call 704-336-RIDE. The web site includes a way to sign up to receive periodic news updates on the Northeast Corridor transit plans and upcoming meetings.


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