CHARLOTTE, NC -- Charlotte Area Transit Customers could be seeing a fare hike for buses and trains later this year. According to a CATS spokesperson, there has been a proposal to raise the one way local fare for buses and trains from $1.75 to $2. The proposed fare increase is the fourth since 2008 and is scheduled to increase transit fares and passes on all of its services on July 1. According to CATS, the cause of the proposed fare increase is to keep up with inflation and cost of operation. Expected to generate an additional $2.5 million in revenue, CATS says they expect ridership to go down by 3 percent because of the hike.

The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) will hold a public hearing at their March 28, 2012 meeting. The public is invited to sign-up and comment on the proposed fare increase outlined below.

To sign-up for the hearing, call 704-432-0872 or sign up via e-mail to mtcinterest@charlottenc.gov before 3:00 p.m. on March 28, 2012. The hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center, Room 267, 600 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.