6 replies to this topic

[Atlside]

Charlotte, North Carolina's light rail system open Nov 24, 2007


Official site to CATS Lynx system

   http://www.charmeck....s/lynx/home.htm  

See how the LYNX Ticket Vending Machine works
  http://ww.charmeck.o...flash/index.htm

Image of regional CATS bus park and ride stations
http://www.charmeck....ed Projects.htm

[Twoaday]

I was down in Charlotte while they were still testing the trains...  Anyhow I took a few pictures a long the line.

Uptown Station







A clear example of a transit oriented development (note the cross streets)

[RiverwoodCLT]

[JDC]

Great photos. Is ridership still high?  I know there were/are a lot of opponents to the system. I bet lots of folks are glad they've got LYNX with gas prices being what they are today.

[InitialD]

JDC, on May 29 2008, 05:16 PM, said:

Great photos. Is ridership still high?  I know there were/are a lot of opponents to the system. I bet lots of folks are glad they've got LYNX with gas prices being what they are today.

Wikipedia:
Prior to the opening of the line in November 2007, CATS projected ridership for the completed Blue Line to be 9,100 on an average weekday in its first year of operation, and gradually increase to 18,100 by 2025. Through its first few months of operation, the line averaged 8,700 daily weekday ridership, in line with its projected first-year ridership of 9,100. By the first quarter of 2008, weekday ridership had increased to 18,600, double first-year projections and ahead of the 2025 projections


Southend, near Bland St. Station


Stonewall Station


7th Street Station


Transportation Center/Arena Station




Near the arena


Interior


Near Carson St. Station


Bland St. Station


New Bern Station


This spring the trolley has started operating again, sharing much of the same track with light rail. It adds 4 more stops; 9th Street, Morehead, Tremont, and Atherton Mills



A little video tour I made one lazy Sunday afternoon:


Another video:


Plans are underway for the Blue Line northeast extention up to UNC-Charlotte by 2013 and the Purple north commuter line up to Huntersville/Davidson. There has also been talk of starting the Central Ave./Elizabeth streetcar line that is part of the 2025 transit plan, but there are serious doubts about the city being able to handle all 3 transit projects at once. We'll see.

[Twoaday]

What's really amazing about this light rail system is that it in what is clearly a very car oriented city it has become so successful.  The planning appears to of been tremendous.  All the way along the line they have upzoned (allowed for more density and height) which has spurred all sorts of transit oriented development.

[InitialD]

New photos of LYNX:



Stonewall Station:


Stonewall Station:


3rd Street/Convention Center Station:


3rd Street/Convention Center Station:


Charlotte Transportation Center/Arena Station:


7th Street Station:


7th Street Station:

Edited by InitialD, 24 September 2008 - 02:32 PM.