CATS adds 100+ new vehicles to its fleet, improving customer comfort and reliability
They've purchased more than 100 new vehicles over the last 18 months, including fully electric and hybrid buses priced up to $2 million.
The new vehicles include:
56 paratransit vehicles
69 Gillig local buses, including 15 battery electric and 54 hybrid buses.
5 'Over the Road' MCI buses for express services
CATS also entered into two service operations contracts, which further add to the new vehicles serving CATS customers. This includes new microtransit vehicles, through a partnership with MV Transportation, and the initial deployment of 24 vanpool vehicles, through a partnership with Commute with Enterprise, launching July 1, 2025.
'This new fleet is a testament to our dedication to our customers. We are proud to offer a public transportation system that serves the evolving needs of our community,' said Interim CATS CEO Brent Cagle. 'We know many of our riders are returning to the office, traveling to appointments and exploring our community. We hope our customers will be pleased with these new products as they utilize the system. CATS encourages all residents and visitors to experience the new fleet by choosing to hop on board the next time they are heading out into Mecklenburg County and be sure to use the CATS-Pass App to ensure your wayfinding experience meets your needs.'
Officials say these new wheels are replacing old vehicles, some of which have been in use for two decades. They say it's part of their efforts to meet passenger requests for amenities and make the fleet more sustainable.
Riders can experience Wi-Fi-enabled buses, enhanced wayfinding technology, improved comfort and better accessibility. Every new bus includes cameras with audio capabilities.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
CATS adds 100+ new vehicles to its fleet, improving customer comfort and reliability
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte Area Transit System officials are showcasing their latest additions to their fleet. They've purchased more than 100 new vehicles over the last 18 months, including fully electric and hybrid buses priced up to $2 million. The new vehicles include: 56 paratransit vehicles 69 Gillig local buses, including 15 battery electric and 54 hybrid buses. 5 'Over the Road' MCI buses for express services CATS also entered into two service operations contracts, which further add to the new vehicles serving CATS customers. This includes new microtransit vehicles, through a partnership with MV Transportation, and the initial deployment of 24 vanpool vehicles, through a partnership with Commute with Enterprise, launching July 1, 2025. 'This new fleet is a testament to our dedication to our customers. We are proud to offer a public transportation system that serves the evolving needs of our community,' said Interim CATS CEO Brent Cagle. 'We know many of our riders are returning to the office, traveling to appointments and exploring our community. We hope our customers will be pleased with these new products as they utilize the system. CATS encourages all residents and visitors to experience the new fleet by choosing to hop on board the next time they are heading out into Mecklenburg County and be sure to use the CATS-Pass App to ensure your wayfinding experience meets your needs.' Officials say these new wheels are replacing old vehicles, some of which have been in use for two decades. They say it's part of their efforts to meet passenger requests for amenities and make the fleet more sustainable. Riders can experience Wi-Fi-enabled buses, enhanced wayfinding technology, improved comfort and better accessibility. Every new bus includes cameras with audio capabilities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
After Mecklenburg County's transportation bill passes Senate, do Charlotte residents support the tax hike?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Mecklenburg County's transportation bill, also known as the P.A.V.E Act, is on the governor's desk awaiting his signature. It will then be up to local leaders to garner support of the one-cent transit sales tax. Gov. Josh Stein is reviewing the P.A.V.E Act now and will have 10 days to take action on it. After getting his approval, it's going to be all hands on deck for Mecklenburg County officials, who have between now and November to convince voters to stand behind the sales tax. 'I want to know how that plan will impact the area where I live right now,' said Wendy Pascual, who lives in east Charlotte. Many people are asking how this will affect them, as they work to figure out where they stand on the proposal. CATS adds 100+ new vehicles to its fleet, improving customer comfort and reliability 'What is that they want to do with the thing and how will that impact the community and to be able to make a decision and decide if I want to support it or not,' said Pascual. While some aren't on board yet, others are full-steam ahead 'I think it's more than worth it,' said David Thomas, who lives in east Charlotte. 'We got to make this investment and we don't put the money in and the city's economy can hurt from that.' Dozens of east Charlotte residents gathered at a town hall hosted by Charlotte City Councilwoman Marjorie Molina on Thursday. They were there to learn more about the tax referendum, which is expected to generate nearly $20 billion over the next 30 years. 'Right now, I think we do have a pretty short runway right to get our community members up to date,' said Molina. Officials detail plans to improve Mecklenburg County bus stops, but they need a one-cent sales tax to do it Charlotte leaders recognize the hurdles they face over the next few months to sell people on the idea. They're optimistic they can get it done. 'People don't want to pay more taxes, and referendums in other cities have been unsuccessful on occasion like this,' said Councilman Ed Driggs. 'On the other hand, everybody sees the condition on the roads, and I think the story that we're telling about the advantages that they can expect, the rail, the bus, the roads, sidewalks, bike trails. I think people will get excited about that.' Mecklenburg County commissioners will have to hold a vote before the election in order to get the extra tax on the ballot. It's unclear right now when that will happen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.