N.C. auditor rec­om­mends fare en­forcement, security im­prove­ments on Charlotte’s transit system – spectrumlocalnews.com

N.C. auditor rec­om­mends fare en­forcement, security im­prove­ments on Charlotte’s transit system  spectrumlocalnews.com

The North Carolina State Auditor recommends CATS makes major security improvements in the wake of last year’s deadly stabbing on the light rail. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor recommends the Charlotte Area Transit System make major security improvements in the wake of last year’s deadly stabbing on the light rail. The audit, released Monday, details a lack of “adequate procedures and policies to address fare evasion.” According to the report, about 60% of riders do not pay to ride the light rail, while 35% do not pay to ride the bus. CATS estimates it loses $5 million to $6.5 million as a result. “The enforcement of those fares is almost nonexistent in the city right now,” said Dave Boliek, the state auditor.

“It begs the question, if you're going to have fares, they probably ought to be enforced.” The auditor’s office recommends CATS install gates or turnstiles at light rail stations to prevent fare evasion. However, for years, CATS officials have said adding turnstiles would be complex and costly. “Originally, that was not how the system was built when it was planned and now,” said Malcolm Graham, the District 2 representative for Charlotte City Council. “It's kind of difficult to go back and retrofit to do that.” “Just because something's hard and difficult doesn't