CATS to increase bus and light rail service in June. Fares also will return.

The Charlotte Area Transit System will expand some bus and light rail schedules, which have been reduced during the novel coronavirus pandemic, starting June 8.

Free rides will also end that day, with fares that had been waived to be charged again.

On weekdays, CATS will keep the reduced bus schedules it began on March 25 for most routes, but increase the frequency of service on several high-ridership routes: 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 21, 27 and 34.

On weekends, bus service will stay on the regular schedules. Express buses will continue to operate on the current, reduced schedule.

The June 8 schedule changes are still being finalized but will be found at ridetransit.org.

The Blue Line will run on 15-minute service from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and then on a Saturday schedule from 7 p.m. until the end of service. The line will run on its regular Sunday schedule on that day.

Fare collection will also resume on June 8. Customers can begin purchasing tickets at the Charlotte Transportation Center or from one of several pass sales locations in the area on June 1.

Five CATS bus, van and light rail operators have tested positive for COVID-19, the system said this week.

This month CATS began in-service cleanings of its buses and light rail cars during five-minute layovers at the transit center and Blue Line terminus stations. Those cleanings enhanced disinfection protocols announced in March.

The system has imposed capacity limits and marked social-distance spacing on buses.

This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 11:47 AM.