Number of stations, park and ride lots, billing UNCC students $25 per semester for an “All-Access Transit Pass”–all that. But here’s what you really need to know:
Ten years ago, CATS estimated the extension would cost $750 million. It also thought it could have opened five years ago.
The cost today is $1.1 billion – even after CATS shortened the line by stopping the train at UNC Charlotte. The federal government is paying for half of the construction costs, and the state and city are splitting the other half.
The extension is twice as expensive as the original 9.7-mile Blue Line, which cost $462.7 million a decade ago. Part of the increase is because of inflation. Another factor is that the extension was much more complicated to build than the original light-rail line.
Always keep that in mind when governments talk rail lines and Charlotte is one of those governments–considering CATS chief John Lewis’ “ambitious plans” to further expand light rail.
