Charlotte is launching a sweeping crackdown on fare evasion and public safety across its light rail system following pressure from the Trump administration over the tragic murder of Iryna Vasyliv on the light rail. Federal transportation officials demanded urgent reforms after the city’s handling of safety and fare enforcement came under scrutiny.

In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) sent formal inquiries to the city, questioning how the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) managed security and federal transit dollars. Mayor Vi Lyles responded in a September 25 letter to the administration, pledging to overhaul the system’s safety policies and fare enforcement rules. She promised “immediate and measurable improvements” t

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