This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
9/3/2026
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Gold Line streetcar, which opened for passenger service on Aug. 30, 2021.
The route serves 17 stations along 4 miles of track between French Street Station in Charlotte’s historic West End and Sunnyside Station near Plaza Midwood. Since its opening, the Gold Line has carried more than 2.8 million passengers, CATS officials said in a press release.
When it opened, the Gold Line introduced a first-of-its-kind hybrid Siemens S700 streetcar. The vehicles operate off-wire through historic areas and under low-clearance bridges.
As part of the 2055 Transit System Plan, CATs plans to extend the streetcar by about 6 miles of track and to add up to 17 stations. The extension will create new connections to the Eastland Community Transit Center and the Rosa Parks Community Transit Center and will provide a link between the proposed Charlotte Gateway Station and other transit corridors. Funding will come from a county sales tax referendum that passed with voter approval in November 2025.
“The Gold Line serves some of Charlotte’s most historic and vibrant neighborhoods, and its success reflects the value of investing in communities,” said Brent Cagle, interim CEO of CATS. “As we look ahead, we remain focused on building a system that supports every rider, every day.”