Charlotte transit loses millions in revenue to fare-jumping 

CHARLOTTE AREA TRANSIT SYSTEM

A report by the Office of the State Auditor determined Charlotte Area Transit Authority is losing out on millions of dollars in passenger fares by not enforcing its policy.

Fare-jumping commuters cost Charlotte’s transportation authority millions of dollars yearly, according to a state audit.

A report issued by the Office of the State Auditor found the Charlotte Area Transit System loses between $5 million-$6.5 million annually to non-ticketed commuters – an estimated 45% of all bus and light rail passengers. An estimated 60% of fare jumpers ride light rail compared to 35% on buses. Penalties for fare jumpers can include citations, fines, or prohibition, but enforcement is lagging, according to the report.

Citations fell from 4,763 in 2023 to 2,018 in 2025 while light rail collections amounted to $750 in fiscal year 2024 and $550 in 2025.

“The City of Charlotte, CATS, and the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority need to take decisive action on public transportation security,” state Auditor Dave Boliek said in a statement. “CATS estimates almost half of all riders aren’t paying for a ticket. Up to $6.5 million may be lost annually to fare evasion, but only $550 in fare evasion fines for the light rail system were collected in State Fiscal Year 2025. The taxpayers of Charlotte pay the bill for CATS, and they’re asked to buy tickets to ride the bus or light rail. Moving forward, CATS and the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority should implement effective measures to stop fare evasion.”

OSA found gaps in how the transit authority enforces prohibition of excluded passengers. CATS, which has a list of such commuters as well as their photos that is accessible to police officers and vehicle operators, enforcement is inconsistent. Although the city and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have a memorandum of understanding to staff the Metro Transit Unit, only two officers are assigned. 

Transit security is handled by Professional Security Services, a private company with a three-year contract.

The transit authority reported improved safety on buses and trains over the first quarter of 2026, which included improved collaboration with CMPD and Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. In June, city leaders contend the changes have resulted in safer transit assets, with a 69% reduction in crime on the Blue Line, 67% fewer bus operator and passenger assaults and no assaults against operators or passengers that required medical response.

According to the report, CATS confirmed the number of fare-jumping citations dropped because bus drivers were instructed not to enforce fares to avoid confrontation with passengers and light rail operators don’t collect fares. 

The report recommends “CATS should install gates or turnstiles to deter non-ticketed passengers, especially at light rail stations.”

The state report is a follow-up on a preliminary report issued after the Aug. 2025 stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on a light rail train. DeCarlos Brown Jr. was charged with murder but found incompetent to stand trial in June.

The report determined nearly $2 million in unspent appropriations for transit safety equipment. Investigators found the city appropriated $7.6 million for CATS safety and security projects through fiscal year 2029. CATS had a budget of $2.2 million to spend in 2025 on safety and security equipment but spent only $470,242. 

OSA reported CATS officials told investigators the money went unspent due to multi-year project overlap, capitalization timing, non-capital items, and active but incomplete projects.

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