News 14 Carolina's Bryn Hough has more on an idea some hope will combat the impact of rising fuel costs.
CHARLOTTE -- City officials are exploring the possibility of advertising on buses and light rail cars to combat the growing cost of fuel.
"I think it would be great,” said Evelyn Harris, who rides the light rail about three days a week. “Our city is growing and we need advertising."
Keith Parker, the CEO of the Charlotte Area Transit System, says this not the first time mobile advertising has been brought up. The Metropolitan Transit Commission voted down the idea in 2000, and Parker says hurdles still remain.
"When you start to place ads on the sides of the vehicles, you have to put holes in the sides of the buses to place the placards," he explained.
CATS officials are looking into the idea of placing ads on buses and light rail cars.
While CATS is actively exploring the idea, Parker says riders should not expect to see ads anytime soon.
"There are a host of issues, aesthetic issues as well as just in terms of having a structure to take in advertising requests and that kind of thing, Parker said. “There's a lot to think about, so I would say it would take at least six months for us to work through it."
CATS officials will look at other cities, similar to Charlotte, to see how they handle mobile advertising. They will then take their findings to the MTC, who will make the final decision.
The next discussion regarding mobile advertising will be held Aug. 27 at the Government Center.