CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County transit leaders met Wednesday to vote on the future of a new light rail stop in Charlotte’s South End and consider a new way commuters could get around.
The proposed light rail station in south Charlotte would pick up outbound passengers near the Atherton Lofts and pick them up near the Publix grocery store on South Boulevard.
A pedestrian bridge over the light rail tracks would connect the two stops, but even if approved, it could take years of construction before the project comes to life.
The Charlotte Area Transit System leaders said the new stops are critical as South End is a popular area that has seen a lot of growth over the last few years.
Another reason is people are jumping over the current tracks to get to stores on the other side. CATS wants to prevent that.
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: CATS proposes new South End light rail station ]
“When you get to the end here it’s like dead and you have to go all the way around or go out in the streets, you see people hopping the tracks,” said Kevin Olmstead, a South End resident. “It would be a great idea.”
The Metropolitan Transit Committee approved the location on Wednesday. The board will next recommend it to the city council, which will vote on the plan.
The goal would be to start construction in about two years with completion anticipated by 2026. CATS said a price tag will come once a design plan is decided.
Microtransit zones
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Also set for discussion is a new travel method that could change the way folks get around Charlotte.
The concept is in its early stages, but the idea is to hail a ride, like you would an Uber or a Lyft, instead of waiting for the next bus or light rail.
All you’d have to do is call for the ride from your home.
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: CATS gets federal funding to launch transit on demand service ]
The service is called microtransit zones and CATS is getting $750,000 from the federal government to develop the program.
If all goes according to plan, riders could catch a transit van or other service in less than 15 minutes instead of waiting around at stops.
CATS would also partner with rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, as well as bike and scooter shares.
Officials from the Federal Transit Administration told Channel 9 earlier this summer the plan would help people get to work, health care appointments and the grocery store.
[ READ MORE: As CATS struggles with bus driver absences, some services may be cut ]
“Travel time is the single strongest factor for a person’s odds of climbing out of poverty, the longer the travel time the worst the chances of moving up the economic ladder,” said Paul Kincaid, a spokesperson for the FTA.
CATS is still deciding when and where the service would be implemented. It is taking public comment at their meeting today.
(WATCH BELOW: CATS to introduce fare capping for bus and light rail)
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