Charlotte Transit Bill Revamped to Boost Rail Funding

News Summary

The Mecklenburg County transit bill has been revised to enhance rail funding, spearheaded by State Representative Tricia Cotham. Key features include a proposed 1-cent sales tax increase that directs 60% towards public transit and supports major projects like the Silver Line light rail. Local leaders are backing the initiative, though concerns remain regarding connections to Matthews. As the community engages with the proposed changes, the future of transportation in Charlotte looks promising, aiming to raise significant revenue for improvements over the next 30 years.

Charlotte Transit Bill Revamped to Boost Rail Funding: What You Need to Know

In an exciting development for residents of Charlotte and surrounding areas, a recent revision to the Mecklenburg County transit bill is creating quite the buzz. State Representative Tricia Cotham has introduced an alternative version of this critical legislation that puts an emphasis on funding for rail projects. This draft includes enhancements like the much-anticipated Silver Line light rail, which aims to improve connectivity in the region.

New Tax Proposal on the Table

The bill, dubbed House Bill 948 and known as The P.A.V.E. Act, aims to implement a 1-cent sales tax increase. The earnings from this tax are allocated in a favorable manner, with 40% directed towards road improvements and a substantial 60% set aside for public transit initiatives. But why is this important? Well, Mecklenburg County is gearing up to seek approval for a referendum in 2025. This would allow voters to decide whether to implement the tax increase, potentially raising a whopping $19.4 billion over the next 30 years for vital transportation projects.

Support from Local Leaders

Cotham’s revised bill is garnering significant support from local officials. Managers from both Mecklenburg County and Charlotte have come together in a joint statement, embracing Cotham’s initiative. The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has also recently shared four different spending scenarios that detail how the potential sales tax revenue might be allocated. It’s been over five years in the works, and CATS is still in the early stages of refining this updated transit plan.

Exciting Rail-Focused Proposals

Commissioner Leigh Altman has highlighted a rail-focused funding proposal that outlines full funding for several key projects. The initiatives include:

• Complete funding for the Red Line commuter rail to Lake Norman.
• Complete funding for the Gold Line streetcar construction.
• Extensions of the Lynx Blue Line to Pineville.
• The construction of the Silver Line light rail, connecting the airport to Bojangles Coliseum.

However, there’s a caveat. The proposal doesn’t provide a full extension of the Blue Line all the way to Ballantyne Corporate Park, as initially imagined. The line will conclude in Pineville. Interestingly, while the Silver Line is set to extend further east than previous proposals, it will not be reaching Matthews, leading to some concerns from local leaders.

Feedback and Community Response

The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) has decided to send all four proposed scenarios to the public for feedback. Community consensus appears to be strong, with many advocating for advancing this legislation. However, not everyone is on board. Matthews Mayor voted against the proposal, expressing discontent regarding the lack of a connection for the Silver Line to Matthews. Nonetheless, CATS is also considering bus rapid transit options aimed at connecting uptown with Matthews.

What’s Next?

Proposed legislation stipulates that a maximum of 40% of new tax revenue can be directed towards train projects, which leaves the bulk of funding for bus services. As this plan unfolds, several critical details seem to be getting overlooked. There are no estimates provided for ridership projections of new transit lines or an option that excludes the underperforming Gold Line streetcar from any funding scenario. On the flip side, a significant allocation of $522 million towards new capital costs by 2031 is allocated to improving bus services, as part of the “Better Bus” plan aimed at increasing bus service hours by 50%.

Public Preferences Under Review

In a recent online survey concerning transit options, the Silver Line from uptown to the airport received the highest marks in public preference, while the proposed extension to Matthews did not make it into any funding scenario. Some community members are beginning to question the rationale behind extending the Gold Line to the east, fearing it may be a misallocation of resources.

As discussions around these transportation plans continue, it will be interesting to see how community feedback shapes the future of transit in Charlotte and beyond. The upcoming years could usher in a new era in how residents get around, bridging gaps and improving access to essential areas.

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Additional Resources

• Charlotte Ledger: Transit System Rail Options
• Axios: CATS Rail Lines and Sales Tax
• WSOC TV: Electrical Fire Impacts CATS Blue Line
• Wikipedia: Transportation in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Charlotte