CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek is recommending the Charlotte Area Transit System install turnstiles or gates at every light rail station to combat fare evasion and increase public safety.
“At some point, there ought to be a mechanism to actually enforce the fares,” Boliek told Queen City News after speaking to the Charlotte Rotary Club Tuesday. “Either that or there needs to be a public policy of eliminating the fares altogether.”
Boliek’s recommendation is included in his final report examining safety and security of CATS following the death of Iryna Zarutska in August 2025. The man accused of killing Zarutska boarded the light rail without purchasing a ticket.
According to CATS, the system loses $5 million to $6.5 million in revenue due to fare evasion. Despite this, many believe adding turnstiles or gates to current light rail stations would be infeasible or too expensive…