2055 Transit System Plan

About the CATS Transit System Plan

The Charlotte Area Transit System continues to work towards building a high-quality transit network that serves the needs of residents throughout our region. After nearly half a year of extensive public engagement with stakeholders, residents, and riders across Mecklenburg County, on May 28, 2025, the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) voted to adopt the updated Transit System Plan—a financially constrained program for bus and rail improvements within the CATS service area. This plan prioritizes the Better Bus Program, including microtransit, along with a phased implementation of the rapid transit corridors. This plan expands transit services with a 50% increase in bus service and 43 additional miles of rail. Developed with our customers in mind, we worked alongside the community to ensure the plan reflects your needs and priorities—after all, CATS Works for You.

View the Transit System Plan report by selecting the below button.

View Report(PDF, 33MB)

Adopted Transit System Plan

Phased implementation of adopted Transit System Plan

Implementation from left to right; Red line north with the Commuter Rail, Better Bus with a systemwide expansion, Gold line streetcar extension from west (Rosa Parks) to east (Eastland). Silver Line future light rail extension from Airport to Coliseum/Ovens, Blue Line extension from I-485 Station to Pineville.

• 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

Prioritize Better Bus Program

• 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

Phased implementation of Rapid Transit Corridors

• 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

• View the Rapid Transit Corridor System Plan Map(JPG, 1MB)

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.

CATS completed significant public and stakeholder outreach specific to the Transit System Plan update between late 2024 and mid 2025. In Winter/Spring, CATS presented four alternative program scenarios for transit in the region. Public and stakeholder input included three main takeaways:

• Preference for Rail - the community shows a preference for the scenarios with light rail rather than bus rapid transit (BRT).
• Improve Customer Experience - there is a need for enhancements to the existing transit system, including increased frequency, improved safety and cleanliness.
• Advance Transit Expansion - there is a desire and urgency for transit expansion to meet the growing demand and keep pace with regional growth. 

• Integrated Approach - we are weaving our bus vision with our rapid corridor vision into a balanced plan to best serve our customers.
• Transparent Process - we are using an open and inclusive process to discuss assumptions, trade-offs and opportunities.
• Realistic Plan - we are developing a plan that is implementable and sustainable over thelong-term. 

Overview of Process & Schedule

In 2024, leaders from our region worked with the North Carolina State Legislature, and Governor Stein signed House Bill 948, giving Mecklenburg County the option to put a 1-cent sales tax on a referendum to address transportation needs in our community. The Transit System Plan update outlined the bus and rail investments that would be made if additional local funding is approved. Mecklenburg County Commissioners voted to put the referendum on the ballot, and voters approved the new sales tax in November 2025.

The Transit System Plan update was based on a three-phase process. The MTC, stakeholders, and the public were an integral component of the Transit System Plan update. 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. During Round 3, CATS presented a staff recommendation for the Transit System Plan update to the MTC. This recommendation was shaped by insights gathered during the first two rounds of engagement and was then approved by the MTC. More information on the public engagement effort can be found in the Resources box above.

Now that the Transit System Plan update has been approved, the fiscally constrained plan will need to 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!