If you are taking NC By Train from Raleigh to Charlotte, your train ticket can now do a little more.

The new Rail & Ride Pass launched Sept. 8, 2026.

It gives eligible passengers a free CATS day pass for buses and LYNX light rail, making it easier to get around Charlotte without adding a parking fee, a rideshare stop or another transit purchase.

The offer is useful for a game, a concert, a meeting or a full day around Uptown, South End, NoDa or nearby Charlotte destinations.

The process takes a few steps, but once you know where to go, it is fairly simple.

Quick facts

The Rail & Ride Pass is a free local transit connection that comes with an eligible NC By Train trip.

To use the CATS portion, you must be traveling on the Raleigh to Charlotte rail line and have already purchased your NC By Train ticket.

After that, you request a promo code through NCByTrain.org and redeem it in the CATS-Pass app.

The CATS benefit includes:

That means you can arrive in Charlotte by train and use CATS throughout the day for your plans around the city.

One catch: you still need to purchase the NC By Train ticket. The Rail & Ride Pass does not make the train fare free. It adds the local CATS connection after your train ticket is booked.

The process starts with your train ticket and ends in the CATS-Pass app.

Step 1: Buy your NC By Train ticket

First, purchase an NC By Train ticket for travel between Raleigh and Charlotte.

The Rail & Ride benefit is tied to this trip.

If you are planning a Charlotte day trip, weekend visit, concert or game, make sure your train booking is for the qualifying Raleigh-to-Charlotte route.

Step 2: Request your Rail & Ride promo code

After buying your train ticket, visit the Rail & Ride Pass page on NCByTrain.org.

You will enter your trip information to request a promo code.

The code will be sent to you by email.

Keep that email handy. You will need the code when you open the CATS-Pass app.

Step 3: Download or open the CATS-Pass app

Before you are ready to board a CATS bus or LYNX train, open the CATS-Pass app.

Create an account if you do not already have one.

The official instructions also direct users to add payment information in the app, even though the qualifying day pass is redeemed at no extra cost with the Rail & Ride promo code.

Step 4: Tap "Buy"

In the CATS-Pass app, select Buy in the lower navigation bar.

You will need to choose the right pass details.

Look for these options: Area Local Bus & LYNX, ticket type Day Pass and rider type Adult.

Select the adult day pass and add it to your cart.

Step 5: Enter the promo code

Once the adult day pass is in your cart, select Enter Promo Code.

Type in the Rail & Ride code you received by email.

Make sure you use the code connected to your NC By Train trip.

After the code is accepted, the pass should appear in your app wallet.

Step 6: Activate the pass before boarding

When you are ready to ride, open the pass in your wallet and select Slide to Activate.

Do this before boarding your CATS bus or LYNX light rail train.

Once activated, the pass can be used for the eligible CATS service covered by the adult day pass.

Tip: Request the code and load the pass before you arrive in Charlotte. That way, you are not trying to manage email, app updates and train station decisions at the same time.

The Rail & Ride Pass is helpful, but it is not a universal North Carolina transit pass.

What it covers

For a qualifying Raleigh-to-Charlotte NC By Train ticket, the CATS benefit covers:

The pass is designed for the Charlotte part of your trip.

You can use it to move between destinations instead of driving from Uptown to South End, searching for event parking or arranging multiple rides across the city.

What it does not cover

There are a few important limits:

For Charlotte readers, the biggest detail is the route requirement.

Your train travel needs to be between Raleigh and Charlotte for the CATS benefit to apply.

The program is also expanding beyond Charlotte.

Greensboro Transit is scheduled to join Rail & Ride on Oct. 1, 2026.

That does not change the CATS instructions, but it is worth noting if your plans include the Greensboro area after that date.

Charlotte plans can get complicated quickly when driving is part of the schedule.

You may be coming in from Raleigh for a game, heading to a concert in or around Uptown, meeting friends for food or spending the day moving between neighborhoods.

Add I-77 traffic, event parking and downtown congestion, and the transportation plan can become the least enjoyable part of the trip.

Rail & Ride gives train passengers another option.

You can arrive in Charlotte, open the CATS-Pass app and use the same day pass for buses and LYNX light rail.

That makes it easier to build a day around Uptown without keeping your car nearby.

It can also make a South End coffee stop, a NoDa outing or a visit to a local business easier to manage without driving between every stop.

It is also practical for visitors who do not know Charlotte roads well.

Instead of guessing where to park near a busy destination, you can plan around the train station and local transit connections.

The pass will not solve every part of a trip.

You still need to check CATS routes and schedules for your specific destination.

But it removes one extra cost and one extra decision from the day.

For homeowners, small business owners and visitors watching their budgets, that can make a city outing feel more manageable.

A train ticket gets you into town, and the CATS day pass helps you keep moving once you arrive.

That is the whole process.

The main thing to remember is timing. Do not wait until you are standing on a platform or rushing toward an event. Request the code ahead of time and load the pass before your first CATS ride.

The Rail & Ride Pass gives Raleigh-to-Charlotte NC By Train passengers a free CATS day pass with their qualifying train trip.

It covers CATS buses and LYNX light rail, but it does not cover the train fare, Kannapolis or Salisbury.

For a day in Charlotte, it can be a practical way to skip extra parking costs and get around Uptown, South End, NoDa and other destinations with less driving.

If you are planning a Charlotte day trip, start with the official Rail & Ride instructions, then download the CATS-Pass app before you leave.

Ready to plan your next local outing? Follow The Queen City Scoop archive for more Charlotte transportation updates, neighborhood ideas, local businesses and things to do around the Queen City.

Source: NCDOT Rail & Ride Pass announcement and official NC By Train Rail & Ride Pass instructions.