The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is managed by the Public Transit Department.  The Department maintains a dual focus, managing and continually improving day-to-day operations of the City's transit services while moving swiftly ahead with planning for a regional transit system which will include bus rapid transit, light rail, commuter rail, and expanded bus service within a six-county area.  An integral element of this effort is proactive participation in virtually every facet of land use and development planning in Mecklenburg County.  It is CATS' philosophy that the transit system should and can share the responsibility for improving the quality of life throughout the Charlotte region by helping to create a community in which public transportation, and its impact on social and economic development, benefits both riders and non-riders.

CATS currently serves Mecklenburg County, including the City of Charlotte and the six suburban towns surrounding Charlotte: Davidson, Huntersville, and Cornelius to the north; and Matthews, Pineville and Mint Hill to the south.  CATS also currently provides service to the City of Concord in Cabarrus County, the City of Gastonia in Gaston County,  the Town of Mooresville in Iredell County and the Town of Rock Hill in York County, South Carolina.  A transit link with Union County is also envisioned.  Transit and paratransit services include bus and vanpool transportation.  Transit planning now ongoing included development of five transit corridors originating in the Center City, and carrying passengers to every corner of Mecklenburg County as well as into adjacent counties.  A Light Rail Transit system is already approved for the South Corridor, from Charlotte to Pineville.  Four other major traffic corridors are being studied, as well as the Center City itself, the termination point of all five corridors. 

CATS is now beginning development of a transit system, which will serve Charlotte and its neighbors for many years to come.  We believe adherence to the Mission and Vision Statements, and achievement of our Strategic Goals, will lead CATS, and the City of Charlotte, to create one of the finest public transit systems in the nation.

Mission Statement
To improve the quality of life for everyone in the greater Charlotte region by providing outstanding community-wide public transportation services while proactively contributing to focused growth and sustainable regional development.

• A steadily increasing share of transit competitive travel markets in the Charlotte region choose to use public transportation on a regular basis.
  
• The citizens of the region value public transportation as an important public service, which benefits the community as a whole by consistently and efficiently providing exemplary service that meets diverse individual needs.
  
• Public transportation employees are seen and see themselves as committed, competent and motivated members of the region's premier public service.
  
• CATS is recognized both locally and nationally for its contribution to effective, innovative and community focused regional development.
  
• The citizens of the region perceive public transportation as an important public service which benefits the community as a whole while consistently providing exemplary service to efficiently meet diverse individual needs.