Latest news with #BetterBus
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Charlotte Area Transit System approves ambitious transit plan
The Charlotte Area Transit System has greenlit a major new transit plan. It prioritizes the Better Bus program, which includes adding 2,000 shelters, benches, waiting pads, and 89 new buses. ALSO READ: CATS launches door-to-door service in north Mecklenburg County It would also implement CATS Micro across the country. The Better Bus program will require 43 more miles of rail service. VIDEO: CATS launches door-to-door service in north Mecklenburg County
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CATS board approves transit plan with expanded rail service, ‘better bus' program
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Local leaders voted Wednesday to adopt the updated mass transit plan around Mecklenburg County that includes expanded rail and an innovative bus system. Members of the Metropolitan Transit Commission, which governs the Charlotte Area Transit System, approved the plan, with only Matthews Mayor John Higdon in opposition. The plan provides a 50% increase in bus service and 43 more miles of rail services. Officials detail plans to improve Mecklenburg County bus stops, but they need a one-cent sales tax to do it The updated plan includes the prioritization of the Better Bus program, inclusive of recently launched microtransit, along with phased implementation of the rapid transit corridors. 'This bus program is not the one you know,' Mecklenburg County Commissioner Leigh Altman said. 'This bus program will expand service to 450,000 residents across the county. It really is pretty amazing compared to what we have now. This is just a tremendous difference.' The funding for the plan is contingent on a county-wide 1-cent sales tax increase. State legislation is in the works for a referendum to be placed on the ballot in November. The decision to approve this plan comes after nearly half a year of extensive public engagement with stakeholders, residents and riders across Mecklenburg County. The Rapid Transit Corridor System plan includes: Red Line commuter rail from Charlotte Gateway Station to Mount Mourne. Silver Line light rail from the airport to Bojangles Coliseum. Gold Line streetcar extension from Rosa Parks Place to Eastland Transit Center. Blue Line light rail extension from South Boulevard at I-485 to Carolina Place Mall. The plan references proposed future extensions for Silver Line west to I-485 and east to Matthews, and Blue Line to Ballantyne, as funding allows. Those routes would have enhanced bus in the interim. 'We have to think about the growth we have, the economic opportunities and new jobs all this can create and the safety we can have because of this,' Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said. 'I know it's been terribly long time since we've had the ability to start thinking about this. But at the end of the day, we will figure this out in a way that makes sure every person inside Mecklenburg County feels like they've gained something as a result of a one-cent sales tax. It's absolutely essential to bring forward all the people we know are asked to support this program.' Higdon has been vocal about Silver Line not extending through east Charlotte and into Matthews, since those plans were altered last spring. In addition to saying his town 'is getting the shaft,' he's noted that the economic impacts of bus service pale in comparison to those with light rail, like seen along the Blue Line. 'Despite my multiple pleadings to their MTC for over a year, there have been zero attempts made to compromise with Matthews in anyway whatsoever on the plan,' he said. 'Under this plan light rail passengers will need to travel 7 miles outside of town to access the closest station.' CATS says most of the bus program will be implemented in the next five to 10 years. Riders can expect to see improved amenities, better frequency and additional microtransit zones within that period. 'This significantly different, game-changing bus service can be implemented … it really is an entirely different kind of service that would give immediate relief to residents who don't have ability to get from point A to point B and want to get our of their cars.' Davidson town leaders have said that the best-case scenario for the Red Line to completed is eight to 10 years. However, developers are already planning for stations in the north Mecklenburg area. The proposed sales-tax referendum also would dismantle the MTC, creating a new transit authority that includes state and local representation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As CATS emphasizes bus improvements, Matthews leaders remain upset over Silver Line plans
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Matthews leaders are still criticizing Charlotte Area Transit System plans as the usage of funding from a proposed sales tax is being finalized. The CATS 30-year plan calls for using a one-cent sales tax that – if state legislators allow – will be on November's ballot. It would fund road improvements and expansions of bus and rail service — including the Red Line linking uptown through north Mecklenburg County. At Wednesday night's Metropolitan Transit Commission meeting, CATS leaders emphasized the importance of its Better Bus program being just as valuable as any rail plans. Mecklenburg County leaders discuss transportation improvements and possible expansions 'Better Bus is just as important as rapid transit corridors,' explained CATS Interim CEO Brett Cagle. But Matthews Mayor John Higdon is unhappy that there's no definite funding for extending the Silver Line rail to his town. Current recommendations would take it from the Charlotte airport to the area of Bojangles Coliseum. 'I'm incredibly frustrated, since every town in the county is getting what they want except for Matthews, everybody else is fat and happy. And that's not right,' he said. Other leaders say that Silver Line money could come at the expense of bus service improvements. Voters will have a say in potential one-cent sales tax to fund Mecklenburg County transportation projects 'Without a guaranteed percentage of the tax going to the bus program, it's going to be tough, and it's just not the right thing to do,' Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam said. Commission members voted down Higdon's motion to rethink how the transit plan would divide up money from the sales tax. 'As we think about implementing rapid transit corridors, knowing we don't have resources at this time to address all corridors all at once, CATS continues to study options to extend options for Silver Line East,' Cagle said. CATS is partnering with the PGA to provide fare-free rides for people who are carrying a ticket to the PGA Championship May 12-18. There will be a shuttle from the Sharon Road West light rail station to Quail Hollow. Cagle said the woman struck by a Blue Line train in March is 'OK.' He emphasized the operator was not at fault and praised first responders at the scene. Blue Line ridership was up 14 percent in March, compared to the previous year, and Gold Line ridership was up 37.2 percent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
