CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Several riders are questioning if Charlotte's light rail service is safe enough for passengers after learning about a derailment that occurred last year. 

Interim CEO for Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Brent Cagle informed the public and Charlotte City Council members about the incident during Monday's council meeting.

What You Need To Know

  • On May 21, 2022, a LYNX Blue Line rail vehicle derailed due to a faulty part 
  • No passengers were injured during the incident 
  • CATS interm CEO informed city leaders about the derailment during a Monday council meeting, only a few weeks after he says he learned about the incident himself
  • Some riders are expressing concerns about the rail system after learning of the derailment

The derailment incident happened on May 21, 2022, but Cagle says he learned about the rail failure just two weeks ago after the North Carolina Department of Transportation requested a corrective action plan. 

CATS provided this statement to Spectrum News 1, detailing the events that led up to the derailment:

"A Lynx Blue Line rail vehicle raveling northbound on Track one. After crossing through the Old Pineville Grade Crossing between Scaleybark and Woodlawn stations, a wheel on the middle truck of Light Rail Vehicle 201 derailed and traveled 1,206 feet down the alignment before coming to a stop safely. The middle truck wheel came off of the tracks. It did not turn on its side or fall to the ground. There were 24 passengers onboard, and they were all able to offload safely. One passenger did request a medical evaluation on-scene. No passenger or employee was injured or transported from the scene."

CATS provided this picture of the light rail that derailed on May 21, 2022. CATS says the incident occurred after the wheel on the middle truck derailed.

During the council meeting, Cagle said a faulty part led to the derailment. He says all 42 of the city's light-rail vehicles must have parts replaced, which could take a few years. 

Cagle says part of the mitigation efforts to keep passengers safe is to reduce the speed of the rails to 35 mph. CATS stated the speed restriction will "ensure the operator has more opportunity to safely stop the vehicle if indications of mechanical issues are detected."

CATS says its Lynx Blue Line is safe and would otherwise not be operating.  

But several riders said they're questioning why it took so long for the news to become public. Others expressed worries about whether a derailment could happen again. 

Some riders say although the derailment is concerning, they're not hesitant about taking the light rail. 

Darrien Esquilien is a student at Central Piedmont Community College. He uses the rail system daily.

"I come to school with my mom, but I go home through the train, so I do need it," Esquilien said. 

Esquilien was surprised after learning about the derailment. 

"I'm pretty shocked," Esquilien said. 

Esquilien says overall, he feels safe on the rail system. But he wants any necessary repairs done quickly for passengers like him and other families who need the services.

"I hope they get it done as quickly as possible. A lot of people need this train. It's essential for a lot of people," Esquilien said. 

Charlotte City Council is expected to take actions during an April meeting that could help expedite repairs for the light rail service. 

"CATS is currently working with Siemens, the manufacturer of the LYNX Blue Line vehicles, to work on an expedited schedule to overhaul the LYNX Blue Line vehicle axles and trucks. We will bring contract amendments to Charlotte City Council in April to help CATS get an expedited overhaul schedule. CATS is committed to the safety of its operators and commuters, and will continue to monitor the situation. We appreciate the cooperative and supportive relationship with NCDOT SSO and Siemens," CATS said in a statement.