Charlotte City Council to consider hiring fare inspectors for CATS light rail trains

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Monday, Charlotte City Council will also look at beefing up fare enforcement on CATS light rail trains. They’ll consider a three-year program to hire fare inspectors called “ambassadors” who would check to make sure tickets are paid.

The city says the ambassadors would wear uniforms and approach riders in non-confrontational ways. The program is expected to cost around $5 million a year.

The proposed changes come after the stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska last year, and other violence on light rail trains.

The ambassador program would expand to buses and the street car.