Fare zones for the Lynx will begin this week

Charlotte City Council members last night gave CATS the final approval to expand ticket inspections to designated portions of Lynx platforms called fare zones. The transit system says on an average day only about 1% of riders board without a ticket, but it becomes harder to check fares when crowds pack the trains for special events. CATS CEO Keith Parker says fare zones will make the system more efficient. "Because if we got 15 minutes in between trains arriving that means we got 15 minutes for our fare inspectors to stroll up and down that platform to check every person," explains Parker. Parker adds the change won't require extra staffing. Ticket inspectors will take turns checking fares on and off the train. Security staff will also be able to enforce the zones. Those people caught in the boarding area without a ticket can be fined $50. CATS says the fare zones will be in place by the Panther's game this Saturday.