CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Area Transit System (CATS) says the LYNX Blue Line will continue to operate on the Sunday service schedule through the start of the new year.

According to a release, since switching to the Sunday service schedule on December 16, "CATS has succeeded in meeting the current demand for light rail. CATS will continue to operate on this schedule to best manage staff levels during this period of increased health-safety challenges."

CATS says Bus routes will continue to operate on their current modified schedule.

CATS initially said the change would be temporary after it was forced to place the Blue Line on the new schedule when an employee tested positive for COVID-19. 

According to CATS, the employee attended a private, non-work related party with several co-workers around mid-December. 

That employee then tested postive for COVID-19, which resulted in roughly a dozen CATS employees who were in attendance being placed on a madatory quarantine. This resulted in a staff shortage, officials say, which impacted services.

“Since the start of the pandemic, CATS has provided safe and uninterrupted transit service. This is due to the hard work and sacrifices of our staff,” CATS CEO John Lewis said in a previous statement. “I’m incredibly disappointed in the judgement of these employees. Their actions will temporarily impact the levels of service we can provide to our community. I ask all CATS employees, riders, and community members to please take this virus seriously.”

CATS will continue to enforce stringent cleaning protocols on vehicles and facilities. The protocols include the use of hospital-grade disinfectant on all hard surfaces, as well as in-service vehicle cleanings.

Officials say face masks are also required when riding transit. Masks are available for free at the Customer Service Kiosk at the Charlotte Transportation Center.

You can find more information on CATS health and safety measures by clicking here.