State Audit Finds Fare Evasion, Security Concerns on Charlotte Area Transit System
Auditors said CATS could lose up to $6.5 million a year, while only $550 in light rail fare fines were collected in fiscal 2025.
- On Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek released an audit of the Charlotte Area Transit System finding significant security gaps, a lack of fare enforcement, and failure to implement Federal Transit Authority safety guidelines.
- Following the August 2025 stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on a light rail car, the investigation was prompted by intense public scrutiny of the system's safety protocols and security management practices.
- Auditors reported CATS loses $5 million to $6.5 million annually due to fare evasion, while $1.7 million in allocated safety and security funding remained unspent during the 2025 fiscal year.
- In response, the City of Charlotte noted a new fare enforcement ambassador team of more than 60 uniformed personnel will launch in October to improve inspection coverage across the system.
- CATS continues strengthening operational practices, including potential integration of surveillance cameras with artificial intelligence, while providing updates to the Federal Transit Authority to ensure compliance with safety requirements.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Audit: Beleaguered Charlotte transit system given another damning report
(The Center Square) – Taxpayers’ costs for the troubled Charlotte Area Transit System – a 55% reduction in armed security staff and 211% increase in contract value were revealed last year – include $5 million to $6.5 million for fare…
Carolina Coast Online
Carolina JournalCATS audit finds millions in lost fares, security concerns
A new report from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) found the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is losing an estimated $5 million to $6.5 million annually to fare evasion while identifying broader concerns involving security, coordination…
Charlotte Area Transit System report findings
The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has published a new report on the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), finding significant revenue loss from fare evasion, gaps in security, and $1.7 million in unspent funding for safety and security equipment.
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