Destination: 2030 Destination: We’ve come a long way since the early years of the 20th century. Yet even back then, the Charlotte region depended on transit to carry the city into the future. Early trolley lines YESTERDAY fostered the growth of neighborhoods rather than sprawling subdivisions, allowing communities such as Myers Park, Plaza-Midwood, Wilmore and Dilworth to flourish.

In the more recent past, after careful study, extensive public input and thoughtful consideration, citizens of Mecklenburg County approved the half-cent sales tax in 1998 to support the vision outlined in the 2025 Integrated Transit/Land Use Plan.

Destination: Through the 2025 Integrated Transit/Land Use Plan, many improvements have been made including the enhancement of customer amenities, expanded bus routes, TODAY improved services and advancements in the rapid transit program and construction of the LYNX light rail line.

In 2006, the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) adopted the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan, furthering the vision outlined in the 2025 Integrated Transit/Land Use Plan.

Destination: The 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan will help focus future growth along five primary transportation corridors, linking our area’s keyDestination: centers of economic activity. In other TOMORROW words, transit is once again taking us into the future. And this 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan overview will show you how. TODAY

The 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan was designed to:

• Offer people a choice in meeting mobility needs • Support the development of pedestrian-friendly urban neighborhoods with a mixture of land uses • Enhance quality of life • Support sustainable regional growth • Enhance pedestrian safety • Reduce dependence on gridlocked roads • Contribute to the region’s attainment of air quality standards LYNX Light Rail Destination: CHOICES Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Streetcar Buses It isn’t merely where we’re going. It’s how we’re getting there. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan will employ several different modes of transportation to meet the many needs of our citizens.

Commuter Rail

Light Rail Transit (LRT). Powered by an overhead Commuter Rail. Perfect for longer trips or traveling Buses. The foundation of any transit system, buses offer electric line, LRT can operate in exclusive and semi- to outlying areas from Center City, commuter rail trains the most choices for destinations, routes, stops and exclusive rights-of-way, serving dedicated stations consist of locomotive-pulled passenger cars. Stations accessibility. The 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan calls spaced as far as a mile apart. are usually spaced two or more miles apart, and for the creation of cross-town routes and feeder connections passengers typically use the train to commute to and to link with rapid transit lines. It also calls for increased bus Streetcar. The 21st century’s version of early 20th- from their places of employment. services in the areas between rapid transit corridors. century technology, streetcars are a viable option for corridors with high bus patronage. Combining the Enhanced Bus. Operating with several of the Other Services. While the above services will accommodate design and innovation of light rail, they are smaller than features of BRT, this service offers enhanced passenger the vast majority of riders, CATS will also expand its other LRT vehicles, and by operating in mixed traffic, they stops and frequent service. The use of bus guideways important services such as neighborhood shuttles, allow passengers to get on and off at stops along the could be limited to locations of severe highway employment center shuttles, Special Transportation Service, street rather than at stations. congestion, or where a lack of available streets Vanpool and carpooling services. necessitates guideway construction. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). As comfortable as it is modern, BRT offers fast, flexible service by employing signal prioritization, on-line stations and off-vehicle ticketing. The low-floor, high-capacity, rubber-tired vehicles are also versatile, utilizing dedicated lanes and easily transitioning to in-street operation. Destination:

PERFECT FIT When developing the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan, CATS used the following criteria to reach a consensus on the services that best fit each corridor.

Land Use. In a comprehensive study of the country’s transit systems, the City found that the key to success lies in the integration of transit and land development. CATS’ plan actively encourages transit use by fostering development along transit lines. Known as transit oriented developments (TODs), these unique communities can sustain growth and vitality within close proximity to transit stations, while contributing to the enrichment of the Center City and key activity centers.

Environment. Public transportation helps minimize air and noise pollution by lowering the number of vehicles on the road and fostering development patterns that produce fewer and shorter trips. By introducing public transportation to areas of high congestion, we reduce the source of environmental contaminants as well as the negative effect of pollution on communities, natural areas and cultural resources.

System Integration. Each corridor is part of a larger system, making it vital to judge each new rapid transit corridor solution based on its ability to operate within the entire system. The system should include considerations of passenger distribution within Center City Charlotte, provision of through-service between corridors of the region, and balanced use of system capacity.

Mobility. Mobility has several components. One is ridership, including how many people will ride and how many new transit trips are attracted away from automobiles. Mobility also includes serving a variety of travel markets by improving accessibility to selected areas, providing savings in travel times and enhancing service reliability.

Financial. The level of investment to build, operate and maintain the system should be balanced by the capacity of local sales tax revenue, and federal, state, private and other revenue sources. Since appropriations can be limited and many federal and state revenue sources are grants, we must take into consideration the ability of certain improvements to attract those grants, and examine opportunities to leverage CATS investment with other revenues. Destination: PEDESTRIAN- FRIENDLY

Integrated land use planning and transit oriented development (TOD) are the cornerstones of • The integration of transit and land use supports the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan. These high-quality urban environments are growth management while discouraging urban carefully planned and designed to attract and retain transit ridership. TODs provide for a sprawl. pedestrian-friendly environment, connected to rapid transit stations with an increased • Slowing the increase in vehicle trips means less density of residential, retail and employment opportunities, creating a sense of place or increase in congestion and travel time, and community. These types of communities allow for a high quality of life and mobility, while improved air quality. simultaneously helping to reduce pollution and vehicle miles traveled.

Here are some factors that make transit oriented developments so appealing:

• Transit contributes to the vitality and prosperity of quality urban communities by encouraging pedestrian activity at and around transit stations.

• Transit makes better use of existing investments in rail and road systems by transporting more passengers per vehicle. This reduces the need for new lanes, new signals and future capital investment in the transportation infrastructure. THE SYSTEM PLAN On November 15, 2006, the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) adopted the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan. This updated, long-range plan consists of multiple rapid transit improvements in five corridors, a series of Center City improvements, and bus service and facility improvements throughout the region.

The implementation plan for the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan includes the North and Northeast corridors seeing early implementation followed by the Streetcar project. Once complete, the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan will consist of 25 miles of commuter rail, 21 miles of light rail, 16 miles of streetcar, 14 miles of bus rapid transit and an expanded network of buses and other transit services. Currently under construction and scheduled for completion Center City to I-485 LYNX in late fall 2007, the LYNX Blue Line will be the first of the new at South Blvd. rapid transit services in operation. The light rail line will offer fast, 9.6 miles BLUE LINE easy access from Center City to I-485 paralleling South Boulevard. 15 stations 7 park and ride lots Upon completion, the area will also have road, sidewalk, storm drainage 3,500 parking spaces and beautification improvements along South Boulevard, Old Pineville Service: 5 AM – 1 AM Road and adjacent neighborhoods. The LYNX Blue Line has helped to 7 days a week invigorate businesses and residential areas with over $500 million in 18,100 estimated daily ridership private sector investments along the corridor. by 2025

Using the LYNX Blue Line, customers will be able to shop at Carolina Pavilion, dine in Uptown Charlotte or prowl for antiques in historic South End. • Coming in late FALL 2007

The LYNX Blue Line budget is $462.7 million. Northeast Corridor LYNX Blue Line Extension

From Center City, the Northeast Corridor LYNX Blue Line Center City to I-485 Extension will run from 7th Street in Uptown to the University at North Tryon St. of North Carolina at Charlotte, ending just south of I-485. 11 miles 14 stations The line will feature a stop in NoDa, one of the city’s liveliest art 7 park and ride lots districts and a great place to find unique restaurants, art galleries and 4,000 parking spaces music venues. Service: 5 AM – 1 AM The LYNX Blue Line Extension will also serve University City, anchored by a 7 days a week campus station at UNC Charlotte, with connecting service to the University 17,500 estimated daily Research Park area and numerous commercial and retail developments. ridership by 2030

With 14 stations, seven of which will accommodate park and ride lots, the Northeast Corridor Blue Line Extension will cost an estimated $741 million1 at the time of completion in 2013.

1 Represents inflation-adjusted dollars. North Corridor LYNX Purple Line

From bustling Center City to the beautiful Lake Norman area Center City to Mount Mourne to roaring Race City, USA, the North Corridor LYNX Purple Line will 25 miles provide passengers with commuter rail service between Charlotte and 10 stations Mount Mourne, south of Mooresville. 9 park and ride lots 1,200 parking spaces Scheduled to begin operation in 2012, the LYNX Purple Line will utilize the Service: 6 AM – 8 PM existing Norfolk Southern O Line and serve the proposed multimodal station, 5 days a week Charlotte Gateway Station, in Uptown Charlotte. (Monday – Friday with option for The first phase will provide a modest level of rush hour and off-peak special event service) service between Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mount Mourne and 4,600 estimated daily ridership Uptown Charlotte. The second phase is scheduled to add increased by 2030 service levels by 2019. • Phase 1 – 2012 Currently, Phase 1 is projected to cost $261 million,1 and Phase 2 is estimated • Phase 2 – 2019 at $112 million.1

1 Represents inflation-adjusted dollars. The Southeast Corridor Silver Line will be your ticket to Southeast Charlotte and Matthews, whether you’re catching a show at Ovens Auditorium, attending classes at CPCC’s Central or Levine Southeast campuses, or seeing a doctor at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews. Corridor The MTC selected bus rapid transit (BRT) for the Silver Line; however, the MTC also decided to delay LYNX Silver Line implementation for a minimum of five years to allow a reconsideration of light rail transit (LRT) for this corridor. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will continue the conversion of Independence Boulevard to an expressway from Albemarle Road to Idlewild beginning in 2011. In conjunction with NCDOT’s project, CATS will extend the existing busway and preserve the right-of-way needed to allow future construction of BRT or LRT in the Southeast Corridor.

If BRT is reaffirmed by the MTC, the Silver Line will begin design in 2016 and will extend from the Charlotte Gateway Station to CPCC’s Levine Campus southeast of I-485. The Silver Line will operate with three- minute service during peak periods and ten-minute service during off-peak times. Daily ridership is estimated to be 15,500 passengers by 2030, and the estimated cost of the Lynx Silver Line is $582 million.1

1 Represents inflation-adjusted dollars.

Center City to CPCC Levine Campus 13.5 miles 16 stations 7 park and ride lots 3,350 parking spaces Service: 5 AM – 1 AM 7 days a week 15,500 estimated daily ridership by 2030

• Phase 1 – Center City to Idlewild by 2022 • Phase 2 – Idlewild to Sardis Road North by 2024 • Phase 3 – Sardis Road North to CPCC Levine Campus by 2026 Center City Connecting areas just beyond I-277 with destinations throughout CeNter City 9.9 miles Uptown, the streetcar line will bring Center City together like never before. 34 stops Reminiscent of Charlotte’s trolley lines in the early 20th century, the streetcar Corridor Service: 5 AM – 1 AM line will be a modern, comfortable, high-capacity alternative to bus transit. Streetcar Line 7 days a week 16,000 projected daily ridership In fact, the streetcar line will replace three of the four highest ridership by 2030 bus routes, including the Gold Rush Red Line, and interconnect four of the transit centers while improving overall operational efficiency. • Phase 1 – Rosa Parks Place The next step for the streetcar project will be to proceed with finalizing to Presbyterian Hospital by 2018 the environmental studies and documentation. Phase 1 is scheduled to • Phase 2 – Presbyterian start design in 2013 with an estimated cost of $211 million.1 Completion Hospital to the Eastland is scheduled for 2018. An additional $210 million1 is scheduled to fund Community Transit Center Phase 2, which will start design in 2019, and is scheduled for completion by 2023 by 2023.

1 Represents inflation-adjusted dollars. Streetcar 6.4 miles West 10 stops Service: 7 days a week Corridor $163 million (Phase 1) Enhanced Bus Service $324 million (Phase 2) Streetcar Line 3,800 projected daily ridership by 2034 • Phase 1 – Center City to Ashley Road by 2029 • Phase 2 – Ashley Road to the airport by 2034

Enhanced Bus 8 miles (on Wilkinson Blvd.) 12 stops (on Wilkinson Blvd.) • Phase 1 – Wilkinson Blvd. to Center City to the airport by 2010 • Phase 2 – Freedom Dr. by 2012 and West Blvd. by 2014

For the long term, streetcar service is planned from Center City to the airport, operating primarily along West Morehead Street and Wilkinson Boulevard. This investment will improve transit service and enhance economic development opportunities along the corridor.

In the short term, a phased approach for enhanced bus service will be implemented in the West Corridor, first along Wilkinson Boulevard and then Freedom Drive and West Boulevard. Enhanced bus may include limited stops, unique vehicles, improved passenger amenities and real-time vehicle information. Enhanced bus along Wilkinson Boulevard will provide faster and more frequent service to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Destination:

NEXT STEPS Since the adoption of the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan, CATS has initiated the process of reviewing the plan with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Congressional and State legislators, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

Additionally, the Northeast Corridor is undergoing federal review for permission to enter preliminary engineering. This is the first step toward attaining federal funding. Preliminary engineering marks the beginning of design and the continuation of public involvement. At the same time, an MTC task force is developing a funding strategy for the North Corridor. The task force will identify additional local funds to offset the need for federal funds. The recommendation from the subcommittee is due to the MTC in June 2007.

As the corridors move through design, the public will be involved as design plans and specifications are submitted. Construction can begin once the final design stage is complete, and federal, state and other funding is appropriated.

As always, our mission is 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.

And we invite you to come along for the ride.

2030 Fast Facts:

• Projected 2030 annual system ridership 52 million • Projected bus fleet size 463 buses • Projected rail fleet size 67 rail cars • No. of LYNX transit stations 55 stations • No. of streetcar stops 44 stops • No. of LYNX park and ride lots 31 locations • No. of LYNX park and ride spaces 11,800 spaces public Capacity: traNsportatioN • Running at 80 percent capacity, the South Corridor Light Rail Line will move twice as many people as one accident-free lane on I-77.1 facts

Oil Dependency: • Public transportation saves 855 million gallons of gasoline a year, which is equivalent to 45 million barrels of oil or one month of oil imports from Saudi Arabia.2 • For every passenger mile traveled, public transportation is twice as efficient as a private automobile.3 • If Americans used public transportation at the same rate as Europeans – for roughly 10 percent of our daily travel needs – the U.S. would reduce dependence on imported oil by more than 40 percent.4

Air Quality: • Traffic and off-road vehicles account for 63 percent of our region’s ozone pollution.5 • Transit emits 92 percent less VOC (volatile organic compounds) and 50 percent less NOx (nitrogen oxides) per passenger mile than a car.6

Economic Vitality: • Rapid transit has played a key role in the revitalization of South End, where property values have increased 89 percent since 2001, partially in anticipation of the light rail line.7 • Tax revenues have increased from $260,000 to over $6,000,000 per year in South End Sources due to redevelopment along the LYNX Blue Line.8 1 Responses to criticisms or questions about investing in public transit, Travel Time: CATS, 2004

• In order for companies to transport goods quickly, we must manage congestion on 2, 3, 4, 6 “Conserving Energy and Preserving the Environment: The Role our roads. of Public Transportation,” by Robert J. Sharpiro, Kevin A. Hassett and Frank S. Arnold, 2002

5 Charlotte Area Commuter, Vol. 3, No. 6, June 2003

7, 8 City of Charlotte 600 East Fourth Street Charlotte, NC 28202

For more information, call us at 704.336.RIDE or visit www.ridetransit.org.

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