PR10020979x

Charlotte, NC, October 1, 2009 - The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), the City of Concord and Lowe’s Motor Speedway have partnered together to bring citizens Saturday bus service from Center City Charlotte to Concord Mills Mall beginning October 3, 2009. “By creating this Saturday service, CATS will open new employment opportunities to area residents. This partnership also offers an alternate transportation choice for tourists, shoppers and race fans to commute between the City of Charlotte and the City of Concord,” said Larry Kopf, Interim Manager of Bus Operations. “Millions of visitors travel to Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Concord Mills Mall each year and now they will have a direct link from Charlotte’s Center City.”

Starting at the Charlotte Transportation Center, the 79X Concord Mills Express will provide service to Uptown Charlotte, Gateway Village, University City area, Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Concord Mills Mall, the most visited attraction in North Carolina. The route will also improve transportation options by linking the CATS 79X Concord Mills Express with the Concord-Kannapolis Rider (CK Rider). "This Express route will be an excellent enhancement to both the CATS and Rider systems. And, perhaps it will set the stage for a weekday fixed-route connection that will span the Mecklenburg-Cabarrus County line,” said Daniel Nuckolls, Fleet & Transit Services Director, City of Concord.

"Establishing this service will not only be a plus for commuters who work in the speedway area, but it will be a terrific tourism boost for out-of-town visitors," said Marcus Smith, President and General Manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "We'll establish a convenient drop-off and pick-up point near the speedway's main entrance for the NASCAR Banking 500 on Saturday, Oct. 17, and encourage all of our race fans staying in the Charlotte area to take advantage of the new CATS service."

The two-year operating cost for the 79X Concord Mills Express service is funded by Lowe’s Motor Speedway, City of Concord and CATS with the assistance of Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) funds. The regular cash fare will be $3.00 per trip and will operate from 8:55 a.m. to 9:55 p.m.
To learn more about the 79X Concord Mills Express and CATS services, call 704-336-RIDE (7433) or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org.

Official City of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County Government Web Site