CATS Transit System Plan Update
The Charlotte Area Transit System continues to work towards building a high-quality transit network that serves the needs of residents throughout our region. The Transit System Plan Update will develop recommendations for a financially constrained program of bus and rail improvements within the CATS service area. To achieve an implementable plan with our customers in mind, we are working with the community to ensure the plan reflects your needs and priorities — after all, CATS Works for You.
CATS completed significant public and stakeholder outreach specific to the Transit System Plan update over the last five months. Most recently, CATS presented four alternative program scenarios for transit in the region. Public and stakeholder input included three main takeaways:
CATS staff recommendation:
- Consistency with adopted plan (no change in transit modes)
- Project readiness (CATS has completed more planning and design work associated with this scenario compared to the other scenarios.)
- Public and stakeholder input (feedback supports a focus on rail in the Rapid Transit Corridors)
- Commitment to full program of frequency improvements, service expansion, and Microtransit within the first 5 years
- Expand Better Bus program based on future growth and ridership, and as funding allows
- Red Line from Charlotte Gateway Station to Mt. Mourne
- Silver Line from Airport to Coliseum/Ovens
- Gold Line Extension from Rosa Parks Place to Eastland
- Blue Line Extension from I-485/South Blvd to Carolina Place Mall (Pineville) and Blue Line 3-car platform expansions
- Future extensions of light rail for Silver Line west to I-485 and east to Matthews and Blue Line to Ballantyne would be considered as funding allows, with enhanced bus service implemented in interim
Study and evaluate options to extend light rail for Silver Line East, including other funding opportunities
The staff recommendation is consistent with proposed legislation in the General Assembly. In May, the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) will vote on the staff recommendation.
Each Rapid Transit Corridor includes a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA), which is the desired alternative adopted by the appropriate local agencies and official boards. The Silver Line and Blue Line Extension also include a minimum operable segment (MOS), which is a shorter portion of the LPA that can function independently while providing meaningful service. For these corridors, the MOS is included in the fiscally constrained plan.
Get Involved
Visit the Get Involved page to learn more about public engagement and view materials.
Leaders from our region are working with the North Carolina state legislature to consider a future local sales tax referendum, to ask our community if they support dedicating additional funding to expand our transit system. The Transit System Plan Update will outline the bus and rail investments that would be made if additional local funding is approved.
We have developed a three-phase process to update the Transit System Plan. During Round 1, public input helped confirm the goals and objectives for the Transit System Plan. In Round 2, CATS presented and sought feedback on the alternative program scenarios. The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), stakeholders, and the public are an integral component of the Transit System Plan update. Click on the headings at the top of the page to learn more about the Transit System Plan update and process.
Click on the flashing icons to view details in your selected language. (If the language is not translating, refresh the page.)
Once approved by the MTC, the fiscally constrained Transit System Plan will then be included in the 2055 Metropolitan Transportation Plan to be considered by the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) – an important step in the process for CATS projects to receive federal funding!
