CATS board approves transit plan with expanded rail service, ‘better bus' program
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Seeking choices: Former Charlotte mayor considering running against Vi Lyles
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Former Charlotte mayor Jennifer Roberts is considering a return to local office. Roberts, a one-term mayor from 2015-2017, posted on X Thursday about Mayor Vi Lyles filing, saying 'Charlotteans should have choices. It's a challenging time for our city and country. Maybe I should sign up to run again….' Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announces bid for re-election Lyles defeated Roberts and three other Democratic candidates in the 2017 Primary election, with 46 percent of the vote, and is now running for a fifth term leading the Charlotte City Council. Roberts, a Charlotte native, confirmed with Queen City News her interest in filing for the seat this year. She is currently the co-lead at the Commission for the Future of North Carolina Elections. 'Thinking about it — listening to the community, a lot of people don't feel heard right now,' she said. 'I will be listening to folks over the next week.' Candidates in Mecklenburg County have until noon on July 18 to file for election. Beyond Lyles, Democrat Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel is the only other person to announce a run for the mayoral seat. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
Matthews mayor announces bid for reelection
MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A familiar face will be on the ballot for people in Matthews this upcoming election. Mayor John Higdon has officially announced his reelection bid after turning in his registration Monday morning at the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections. Higdon has served as mayor since 2019. He tells Queen City News he plans to continue the progress his community has already made, including his opposition to the Mecklenburg County one-cent transit tax. Voters will have a chance to voice their opinion on the sales tax this year. The transit plan only offers bus rapid transit for Matthews rather than the originally proposed Silver Line light rail expansion. Four other commissioner candidates are seeking seats in Matthews. General election day is November 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
Bill to improve transit for Mecklenburg County advances through the General Assembly
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Plans to expand and improve Mecklenburg County's transportation infrastructure are one step closer to becoming reality. State senators voted Wednesday afternoon to pass HB 948, legislation that would allow voters to approve a new, one-cent sales tax in the county to fund transit initiatives. 'We're thrilled that the General Assembly has shown their support both in the House and the Senate for this bill. I think it goes to show that they understand that being able to continue to move efficiently is very important for any municipality in the state,' said Shannon Binns with Sustain Charlotte, a local nonprofit backing the tax. PREVIOUS | HB 948, also known as the P.A.V.E. Act, would enable the county to gather revenue to pay for a light rail expansion, improvements to roads throughout the county, and create new, faster bus routes. Legislators said 40 percent of revenue would go directly to municipalities, and 60 percent would go to a new, yet to be established, transit authority. 'This is what people in our area said they wanted, so we just are grateful they realized this is a local need,' said Binns. The one-cent tax and related plan have a lot of support throughout the county, including from Charlotte and the Town of Davidson. But leaders in Matthews oppose the tax, frustrated that the town was not included in a planned light rail expansion, set to be named the Silver Line. At Wednesday night's Metropolitan Transit Commission meeting, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed her appreciation of the bill's authors, most of whom are from Mecklenburg County. 'We're very grateful to the relationships we've built, and the relationships that made this possible,' she said. 'I truly believe it is something that changes the way the city grows and the towns and the county doing something that we haven't had the funding to accomplish. We're really looking forward to the improvements to be made for all of our citizens.' Supporters hope to have the tax before voters during the municipal elections set for November 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
