The following article appeared in the Jan. 8, 2024, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.
CATS ordered to remove about 1/2 of its light rail cars from service after irregularity discovered on train wheel, report says
The N.C. Department of Transportation this weekend ordered the Charlotte Area Transit System to take about half of its Blue Line trains out of service after machinists discovered a new problem on an older vehicle’s wheel.
In an article posted to WFAE’s website on Sunday night, reporter Steve Harrison wrote that CATS officials sent an email to members of the Metropolitan Transit Commission on Sunday disclosing the latest troubles with light rail trains.
The issue surfaced after train operators noticed abnormal sounds coming from one of the transit system’s older trains, most recently on Friday. Inspectors found “abnormal movement” on one wheel of the train, WFAE reported.
No schedule changes, for now: After CATS reported the problem to the state, the NCDOT on Sunday ordered CATS to remove all of its older trains, which account for roughly 1/2 of the fleet. CATS says it can continue operating its regular schedule for now but might have to adjust it in the future, WFAE said.
It’s the latest challenge for CATS, following the disclosure last year of a May 2022 derailment as well as struggles with bus reliability.
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