Stabbing death on Charlotte light-rail train prompts federal, state investigations

The Federal Transit Administration has launched an investigation into the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in North Carolina, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced yesterday.

The investigation will review the transit agency's security spending, safety plans and ongoing risks to operators and riders being assaulted on the system. The investigation follows an incident in which a man stabbed and killed a young woman on a CATS light-rail train in August.

FTA has jurisdiction over transit worker safety and argues that conditions must be evaluated to guarantee similar incidents do not endanger transit workers or commuters in the future, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation press release.

Also, in a letter sent yesterday to Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro called on CATS to produce a transparent, measurable plan to secure Charlotte’s buses, trains and stations. 

Charlotte has faced a string of violent incidents recently on public transportation. In March, a 64-year-old man was attacked on a CATS bus, and months later, a 57-year-old person was hospitalized after being attacked by multiple people on a CATS bus, USDOT officials said.

Meanwhile, the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor on Sept. 9 announced it will investigate the public safety aspects of CATS, including private security contracts, metrics, data and budget.

“The recent lawlessness and violence that have taken place on Charlotte’s public transportation raise serious questions about the security measures in place. We will investigate CATS and examine its public safety contracts and operations," said State Auditor Dave Boliek in a press release.