Charlotte, N.C. – The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) launches its fifth annual Transit Pass Design Contest, asking North and South Carolina residents to submit original artwork related to the theme: 50 Years of Moving People Forward!  Three winners will be selected to have their artwork printed on Local, Express and Express Plus bus passes for the 2026 calendar year. Entries are due to CATS by Friday, May 16, 2025, at 5 p.m. and will be judged by a committee consisting of transit staff members, city officials and local art professionals. Entries will be ranked to identify first, second and third place winners based on the following criteria: Does the design address the theme and promote multi-modal transportation in Charlotte in specific or general terms? Is the design eye-catching and well-composed? Is text absent from the design? In addition to having their artwork printed on 2026 passes, each winner will receive a monthly transit pass of their choice, and a monetary prize as follows: first place – $500.00; second place – $250.00; third place – $100.00. Interested participants can learn more, download an application and view technical guidelines and contest rules at RideTransit.org. This year’s theme of 50 Years of Moving People Forward is the first of many initiatives CATS will implement as we look toward celebrating 50 years of public transit in the Charlotte region in 2026. For questions or concerns, riders can speak directly to a customer service representative at 704.336.7433. ...read more read less