Trump administration cites Charlotte for safety issues in audit sparked by train stabbing

Mary Ramsey, The Charlotte Observer on Feb 2, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal transit authorities called out Charlotte’s transit system for failing to meet multiple mandated safety requirements in a new report triggered by a high-profile killing on the city’s light rail.

The Federal Transit Administration released its audit of the Charlotte Area Transit System on Monday, months after Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed on the Blue Line.

The FTA said it found that the CATS’ “rate of crimes against passengers” is three times higher than the national average. The agency also said the rate of assault on CATS transit workers jumped to five times the national average in 2025 despite being below the national average the previous two years. The audit cited the agency’s National Transit Database as its source for the claim.

The audit “found several performance issues” including how the CATS assesses risk, tracks system fixes and conducts de-escalation training for staff, the FTA said in a statement on the report.

CATS must submit corrective action plans to address 18 findings in the audit to the FTA within 30 days. The federal agency will review CATS’s plans and monitor progress, including conducting regular meetings with CATS.

“FTA is determined to do its part to address the systemic failures within Charlotte’s transit system that led to Iryna Zarutska’s tragic death,” FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro said in a statement. “We look forward to seeing these 18 points fixed immediately to bolster safety for both transit workers and passengers.”

The Charlotte Observer has reached out to CATS for comment on the FTA audit findings.

_____