December 10, 2008

Charlotte, NC -- As businesses and households deal with budget constraints in the current economy, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is not immune to the same financial pressures.  "The cost of operating transit service continues to rise while at the same time we are seeing decreases in our local and state funding," said Keith Parker, CATS' Chief Executive Officer.  "We are taking measures internally and externally to ensure we can maintain an efficient, high-quality transit system for our customers." 

One aspect being reviewed is the ridership on all routes system wide.  "CATS monitors the performance of all routes on a continual basis.  When a route is not performing well, we need to evaluate the service and decide what the impact of eliminating or changing that route will be and where the buses and funding can be more efficiently used," said Larry Kopf, Chief Operations Planning Officer for CATS. 

CATS is researching several service change proposals that if adopted, would take effect between February and March 2009.  Citizens are encouraged to attend the public meetings to review the proposals and provide feedback to CATS staff.

The meeting times and dates are listed below:

First Ward Shuttle and Gold Rush Services

December 11 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, Room CH-14
600 E. Fourth Street

Route 77X North Mecklenburg Express & North Mecklenburg Village Riders (Routes 96 Davidson, 87 Cornelius, 98 McCoy Road, 99 Huntersville)

Monday, December 15 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
North County Regional Library
16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville

Routes 25 Clanton Road & Route 30 Woodlawn

December 16 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
West Boulevard Library
2157 West Blvd

Rt. 1 Mt. Holly Road, Rt. 30 Woodlawn, Rt. 202 Washington Heights, Rt. 234 Cityview and Rt. 238 Paw Creek

Wednesday, December 17 from 6:00 -7:00 p.m.
Betty Rae Recreation Center
2921 Tuckaseegee Road 

Friday, December 19
6:00-7:00 p.m.
New Zion Church
217 W. Todd Lane

Monday, December 22
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Northwest Service Center
2324 LaSalle Street

Route 18 Selwyn Ave., Rt. 29 UNCC/SouthPark & Rt. 30 Woodlawn

Thursday, December 18 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Sharon United Methodist Church
4411 Sharon Road

Thursday, December 18 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
University City Regional Library
301 East W.T. Harris Boulevard

For more information on CATS and its services, visit www.ridetransit.org or call 704-336-RIDE (7433).