CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
The Charlotte Area Transit System will likely get the go ahead to start signing new contracts for alcohol advertisements on buses and trains, now that an agreement has been reached.
Instead of running liquor ads on all buses and trains, CATS will not place alcohol ads on the sides of small shuttle buses that run in local neighborhoods.
Transit officials will sell space outside express buses, and the buses that travel on the main thoroughfares. Trains will also have alcohol ads.
Residents and city council members objected when they first heard that the Metropolitan Transit Committee planned to sell liquor advertisement space on the sides of buses and trains.
Critics complained that children ride the transit, and the constant show of alcohol ads would tempt them to drink. Transit officials say the ads are crucial for revenue. CATS is facing a budget shortfall. The alcohol ads are expected to bring in $600,000.
However, after the outcry, members of the Transit Commission agreed put a hold on signing new contracts for alcohol advertisements so they could study the issue.
After some commission members and Charlotte City Council members met to talk about the alcohol ads, they reached an agreement.
The Metropolitan Transit Commission will meet on Wednesday. It's expected members will sign off on the agreement and allow CATS to sign new contracts.
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