City of Charlotte offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2008.

 Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will operate on a Saturday service schedule.

• Route 77X North Mecklenburg Express will be the only express bus operating (per its Saturday schedule).
• Bus Route 42 Carowinds Boulevard will shuttle riders to Carowinds Theme Park between 7:55 a.m. and 9:25 p.m. leaving the I-485/South Boulevard Station every 45 minutes.

For exact time information regarding Route 42, please contact CATS Customer Service at 704-336-RIDE.

Solid Waste Services will operate on a normal schedule.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is hosting a community-wide meeting to discuss proposed West Corridor Enhanced Bus service Tuesday, May 20 at the West Service Center, 4151 Wilkinson Boulevard. The proposed concept will replace the existing Route 5 Airport with improved service and fewer bus stops. CATS seeks input concerning:

• Proposed stop locations
• Proposed alignment
• Passenger amenities
• Level of service

For more information about the public meeting or bus routes nearest the meeting locations, call 704-336-RIDE or visit www.ridetransit.org.

CATS is scheduled to increase transit fares and passes on all of its services on Monday, October 6. The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) will conduct a public hearing at its next meeting, Wednesday, May 28, located in Room 267 at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 East Fourth Street at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to comment on the proposed fare increase.

Click here to view proposed fare increases

To speak at the hearing, call 704-432-0490 or e-mail mtc@ci.charlotte.nc.us before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28. The deadline for signing up to speak is at 5:30 p.m.

Visit the CATS Rider's Alert web site for more information.

The Housing Charlotte Implementation Committee will host its second mini-forum on Wednesday, May 21. Over the past five months, the 60-member Implementation Committee has identified key issues surrounding five solution areas: acquisition strategy, dedicated funding source; education, outreach and advocacy; incentive-based inclusionary housing policies; and rental housing subsidy.

The committee will present its preliminary recommendations for all of the solution areas at the forum. The public is invited for discussion.

Wednesday, May 21st
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Room CH14                                                                                                                                    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
600 East Fourth Street

At least one additional mini-forum will be held before the committee presents its findings and recommendations to City Council later this year.

The Housing Charlotte Implementation Committee was created as a result of Housing Charlotte 2007 Affordable Housing Forum. The one-day event was held in February 2007, where community leaders discussed affordable housing issues and recommended further study of five solution areas. Additional information about Housing Charlotte 2007 can be found at www.HousingCharlotte2007.org.

Tune in this week to hear about CATS crews keep the LYNX Blue Line running, steps you should take when ozone levels peak and how the City is helping residents who are facing foreclosure.