IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Jean Leier (704) 432-0496

CATS SEEKS CUSTOMER INPUT ON PROPOSED NEW BUS ROUTE AND CHANGES TO OTHER SELECT ROUTES

Charlotte, N.C., March 28, 2007 - Commuters may soon have an easier way to travel around Charlotte with a newly proposed cross-town neighborhood shuttle. Route 204 LaSalle Street would provide bus service between the Sugar Creek Service Center on North Tryon Street and a limited area of the Hoskins Community.  The proposed Route 204 LaSalle Street will travel North Tryon Street to Norris Avenue and 30th Street. From there the route continues to Statesville Avenue, LaSalle at Atando Avenue, English Drive to Montana Drive and Kentucky Avenue.

Route 204 LaSalle would allow passengers to transfer to a number of routes that provide service to areas such as UNC-Charlotte, the Mecklenburg County Health Department, University Research Park, among other areas.  "Creating easier connections for our customers is one of the objectives of our Countywide Transit Services Plan," said Larry Kopf, CATS Chief Operations Planning Officer.  "Our goal is to make commuting as convenient and efficient as possible for our passengers. "

CATS is also looking at making adjustments to several routes including Route 13 Nevin Road, Route 21 Double Oaks, Routes 26 Oaklawn Avenue, Route 202 Washington Heights/Lincoln Heights and Route 231 Druid Hills/Double Oaks.  The proposed enhancements to Route 13 Nevin Road and Route 21 Double Oaks would improve travel time between the Charlotte Transportation Center and Statesville Road by operating via Graham Street, instead of North Tryon Street.

The proposed adjustment to Route 26 Oaklawn Avenue includes discontinuing service to Pinestream Drive and extending the route to the Rosa Parks Community Transit Center.  CATS is also proposing to discontinue Route 231 Druid Hills/Double Oaks due to low ridership.

The proposed adjustment to Route 202 Washington Heights/Lincoln Heights includes providing more direct service between the Washington Heights community and the Rosa Parks Community Transit Center.  CATS is proposing discontinuing route 202 along Mulberry Avenue and Newcastle Street.  Passengers along Mulberry Avenue and Jennings Street would be able to access the Rosa Parks Community Center via the Route 26 Oaklawn Avenue.

The community is encouraged to share questions and comments during the public meetings.  The meeting times and dates are as follows:

April 3, 2007
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Northwest Service Center
2324 LaSalle St

April 4, 2007
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Greenville Recreation Department
1330 Spring Street

To learn more about CATS and its services, call 704-336-RIDE or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org.