Immediate Release - September 1, 2012
 
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is ready to give you a lift to major events during and around the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC). Use CATS to attend CarolinaFest, the Labor Day Parade and DNC activities from September 3-6. "We look forward to providing public transportation service during these large-scale events,” said Larry Kopf, CATS Chief Operations Planning Officer. “Our temporary transportation center remains within the uptown area and allows us to get customers near the front door of all the activities.”

The temporary transportation center will operate from September 3 through September 5, 2012 at the corners of Third and South Mint Streets, which is immediately across the street from the American Presidential Experience. CATS’ customers can obtain discount passes while supplies last for 30 percent off regular admission to the American Presidential Experience. Pick up the Presidential Experience coupon at the CATS Pass Sales and Information Booth located at the Charlotte Transportation Center, 310 East Trade Street.
 
Between September 3 and September 5, CATS bus routes that normally service the transit center will be re-routed to the temporary transit center. CATS will also provide a shuttle service from the LYNX Carson Street station. Customers will find CATS Ambassadors on site at the CTC to direct them to the appropriate bays where they may catch a bus. Ambassadors will also assist at the Carson Street transfer station and at designated stations along the LYNX Blue Line.

The CATS temporary transportation center will have normal operating hours, air-conditioned waiting areas, customer service trailers, ADA accessible public restrooms, safety and security, and pass sales.

CATS riders travelling Uptown can use free Park and Rides that are conveniently located throughout the area. Please note that Express bus routes do not operate on Labor Day. A list of all Park and Rides with non-holiday routes can be found here.

The Park and Rides with Labor Day Uptown routes include:

From the South:

Arboretum Shopping Center: 8042 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC: 8042 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC:

• Bus Route:  14 (operates every hour Labor Day)

Providence Methodist Church: 2810 Providence Rd.

• Bus Route 14

Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church: 9401 S. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28273

• Bus Route: 24

Trinity Presbyterian Church: 3115 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28211

• Bus Route: 14

Whitehall Commons: 8031 S Tryon Charlotte, NC 28273

• Bus Rouute: 24

City Save-a-Lot #2  (Strawberry Hill): 4309 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28211

• Bus Route: 14

Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church: 9401 S. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28273

• Bus Route: 24

Sharon Baptist Church: 6411 Sharon Rd. Charlotte, NC 28210 

• Route 20

From The North: 

Northlake Mall: 6801 Northlake Mall Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216

• Bus Route: 7

UNC-Charlotte: 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC: NOTE:  Parking only permitted at East Deck 2, NOT allowed at other parking areas of UNC-Charlotte. ** Labor Day Only

• Bus Route:  11 North Tryon (operates every 30 minutes on Labor Day).

From the East:

Eastland Mall: 5431 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC:

• Bus Route:  9 Central Avenue (operates every 30 minutes on Labor Day)

City Save-a-lot #1: 5303 Idlewild Rd. N.; Charlotte, NC 28227

• Bus Route: 9

Mason-Wallace Park: 7300 Monroe Rd. Charlotte, NC 28212

• Bus Route: 27

Matthews Presbyterian: 207 W John St. Matthews, NC 28105

• Bus Route: 27

From the West:

Valerie C. Woodard Center (Freedom Mall): 3205 Freedom Drive. NOTE: Park near bus stop at Tuckaseegee and Ashley, but do NOT park in Freedom Family Restaurant lot.

• Bus Route:  8 Tuckaseegee (operates every hour on Labor Day);
• Bus Route:  34 Freedom Drive (operates every 45 minutes on Labor Day).

To learn more about CATS and transit planning, please call 704-336-7433 or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org. Learn more about transportation changes throughout the DNC on the web at www.DNCinfo.CharlotteNC.gov.