On Election Day, November 4, voters will decide on a transportation funding initiative that could shape how Charlotte moves and grows in the years ahead. Residents will have the opportunity to help guide the city’s transportation future through their vote.

Getting around Charlotte has become more challenging as the city continues to grow. From longer commutes to limited transit coverage in certain neighborhoods, mobility remains one of the most significant issues affecting how residents live and work. City leaders have been exploring new ways to address these gaps and make travel more reliable for everyone. The proposed solution on the table is a transportation bill that is asking voters to approve a one cent (1%) countywide sales tax increase raising the rate from 7.25% to 8.25% if passed and bringing in an estimated $19.4 to $25 billion over 30 years. If passed, the funding would help expand bus and rail services, improve road safety, repair aging infrastructure, and create a Micro Transit network across Charlotte.

One of the programs linked to this effort is Micro Transit, a flexible, on-demand ride service operated by the Charlotte Area Transit System. Using small vans, riders can request a trip through the CATS-Pass app or by phone, traveling within designated zones for a $2.20 fare. The service began in North Mecklenburg, where it has already completed more than 7,000 rides with average wait times under eight minutes. As the service expands into areas like Steele Creek, Matthews, and Ballantyne, each new zone will connect with major bus and light rail stations, helping riders reach more destinations without relying solely on driving. The goal is not to replace existing bus routes but to fill the gaps for residents who live or work outside high-frequency transit areas.

Micro Transit is part of the city’s Better Bus Plan, a larger effort to modernize Charlotte’s public transportation system and improve everyday travel. Supporters of the transportation bill started the “Yes for Meck” ( https://yesformeck.com/ ) initiative to promote the proposal, seeing it as a practical way to ease traffic congestion, improve connections between neighborhoods, and give residents dependable alternatives to driving. City leaders have stated that while Micro Transit is still developing, it represents meaningful progress toward a system that meets people where they are. They emphasize that it is not about achieving perfection overnight but about ensuring Charlotte does not become a city with poor mobility and limited choices.

For more details on the proposed bill visit the City of Charlotte’s official page at charlottenc.gov/CATS/Plans-Projects.