By admin 
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) — Riders on Charlotte’s light rail could soon see more frequent ticket checks after city leaders approved a new fare enforcement program.
Charlotte City Council voted this week to launch a “fare ambassador” program, placing uniformed inspectors on trains to make sure passengers have paid before riding. The effort is aimed at cracking down on fare evasion while also increasing safety on the system.
Many passengers say the change could make a difference, especially after safety concerns on the Blue Line last year.
“It’s just going to make it safer, and it won’t allow just anyone to get on the light rail without paying considering what happened,” said light rail rider Irecia Knight.
The push for stronger enforcement follows the August 2025 stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on the Blue Line. Since then, CATS has increased its safety presence, with riders already noticing more routine ticket checks ahead of the program’s full rollout.
“Today they did,” said passenger Chris Barbee. “I’ve been on the train maybe two or three times in the last month, and two out of three times they had checked.”
CATS leaders have also pointed to high rates of fare evasion. In April, officials said about half of riders were not paying fares. Officials told us that DeCarlos Brown, Jr., accused of killing Zarutska, did not buy a ticket the night she was killed.
Read more Inmate injured after attempted escape from Vance County jail, deputies say
The new program will be rolled out in phases, starting on the Blue Line before expanding to other parts of the system, including buses and the Gold Line streetcar.
Some riders say they have already seen behavior change when ticket inspectors are present.
“Most of the time I’m on there, people are checking tickets,” said rider Troy Carter. “But there’s also been a mad scramble for people to buy tickets as they see them being checked.”
City leaders approved roughly a $5 million plan to fund the initiative, which is expected to add a consistent, visible presence on trains.
“I like it. I think it’s needed,” Barbee said. “If they’re trying to make things safer, I think that this is the right way to do it.”
CATS officials have not yet said how many inspectors will be part of the program or when it will officially begin. The contract is with Block by Block for three years.
Read more Americans are inundated with suspected scams. New polling shows why few victims report them