Mobility+

Light rail stop with sign on train showing 'UNCC'

Our region is one of the most dynamic in the nation and is rapidly growing. Studies have shown that without investments in infrastructure, growth will continue to increase congestion and diminish access, mobility, productivity, and affordability.

Source: Economic Impacts of Mobility Investments in Mecklenburg County and the Benefits to the Charlotte Region, CRBA.

Our goal is to build a reliable and integrated mobility system that will support the city’s adopted vision for a sustainable, connected, prosperous and innovative network that connects people to each other, jobs, housing, amenities, goods, services and the region.

Our plan is part of council’s adopted Strategic Mobility Plan and is designed for transit and road projects to work together seamlessly to build a mobility system that provides Mecklenburg-area residents more options to reliably and quickly get where they are going.


How Do We Do That?

A voter referendum will allow Mecklenburg County residents to approve or reject a one cent, county-wide sales tax to fund investment and improvements in transit and transportation.

A one-cent sales tax is projected to generate $25.3 billion ($19.4B sales tax + $5.8B federal funding) over 30 years. What would that allow us to do? Invest in all the ways we get around.

a man crossing the street

1 Cent creates funding for: Rail, Bus, Roads and Microtransit.

How Would the Money be Spent?


One-cent county sales tax 30-year revenue — based on current tax revenue projections.

40%

Road Improvements

$138M

Year 1


$7.8B

30 Years

20%

Bus & Microtransit

$69M

Year 1


$3.8B

30 Years

40%

Rail Construction

$138M

Year 1


$7.8B

30 Years

What’s in the Plan?


CATS Transit
System Plan
Strategic
Investment Areas
+

CATS 2055 Transit System Plan:
Rail, Bus & Microtransit

The updated Transit System Plan, shaped by public input, outlines major enhancements to bus and rail service.


Key Highlights


Bus:

Comprehensive Better Bus service with expanded service, increased frequency, and bus stop improvements.

  • 15-minute frequency on the top 15 routes and 30-minute frequency on all routes
  • Expanded hours on weekdays and weekends
  • Enhancing 2,000+ bus stops

Microtransit:

Curb-to-curb, on-demand service

  • New on-demand, ride-sharing service
  • 19 microtransit zones covering more than 100 square miles across Mecklenburg County
CATS Microtransit

Rail:

Significant rail expansion connecting the community

  • Red Line: Commuter rail connecting Uptown to North Mecklenburg
  • Silver Line: Light rail from the airport to the Coliseum/Ovens connecting East and West Charlotte
  • Gold Line: Extension from Rosa Parks Place to Eastland
  • Blue Line: Extension from I-485 to Carolina Place/Pineville
  • Future Extensions: Silver Line extension to CPCC Levine, Blue Line extension to Ballantyne

Click here for more information about the Transit System Plan

Strategic Investment Areas (SIA):

Local Upgrades Where They Matter Most

Part of Charlotte's Blueprint for Mobility Investments, Strategic Investment Areas (SIA) are geographic zones chosen for focused mobility upgrades including: new streets, increased road capacity, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, street lighting, streetscapes, intersection improvements, traffic light synchronization.

22 SIAs spread through the city where roadway infrastructure improvements will help reduce congestion and meet the needs of the local community.

strategic investment areas logo

Pilot areas (2024-2027) with $55 million in bond funding.

  • Harrisburg: Sidewalk connectors, lighting, crossings and signals linking neighborhoods to transit
  • Arrowood: Bus access and transit-area streetscape upgrades

How the Transit System Plan and SIA work together


Transit and road projects work together seamlessly to build a mobility system that provides Mecklenburg-area residents more options to reliably and quickly get where they are going.

Without additional funding CATS cannot build the adopted Transit System Plan. The city would not be able to implement the Strategic Investment Areas – only transportation projects identified in the city’s Capital Investment Plan would be funded.


What This Means for You



Everyday access icon

Everyday access:

Walk, bike, ride with ease to jobs, school and errands.

Safety first icon

Safety first:

Complete streets and traffic safety improvements reduce crashes.

More choices icon

More choices:

Expanded bus frequency, rail lines and microtransit serve home, work and play.

Stronger communities icon

Stronger communities:

Investments in underrepresented areas generate opportunity.

Cleaner air icon

Cleaner air:

Fewer cars creates a healthier environment.


See Resources & FAQ

Why a Sales Tax


Everyone who uses transit/transportation helps pay for it.


pie chart showing how visitors, residents and business help to pay for transit'


Source: Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, 2022 Tax Study

How to Stay Informed


Subscribe to receive updates by visiting the Mobility Plan public input page

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